anvor

Google Dethroned?

Sarah is darn convincing on the macro-level. On the micro-level she alluded but skipped over one thing: Google managed to screw up its management model just like all other "four-year" wonders. Management hubris is virtually irresistable: once you've got the power - you're addicted. As I pointed out elsewhere, being a management researcher I’ve always thought that the accounts of the “uniquely productive” properties of Google’s loose’n'messy management system were more glitter than substance. On TechCrunch accounts point to the proof.

While productivity of human collaboration can be improved by better organizational structure, better incentives, or bonding effect of a worthy goal (and sometimes by manipulative charisma of leaders), Google’s “smartest guys on the planet” have failed to invent the smartest organizational environment. Now that the carrot of stock appreciation isn’t there, expect more stick… Which is rather sad, since there are far better solutions to this.

Googlers and others, tell me if I am wrong (or right) at [e-mail]