How Google Works

By: Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg

Narrated by: Holter Graham, Jonathan Rosenberg

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

Both Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg came to Google as seasoned Silicon Valley business executives, but over the course of a decade they came to see the wisdom in Coach John Wooden's observation that 'it's what you learn after you know it all that counts'.

As they helped grow Google from a young start-up to a global icon, they relearned everything they knew about management. How Google Works is the sum of those experiences distilled into a fun, easy-to-read primer on corporate culture, strategy, talent, decision-making, communication, innovation, and dealing with disruption.

The authors explain how the confluence of three seismic changes - the internet, mobile, and cloud computing - has shifted the balance of power from companies to consumers. The companies that will thrive in this ever-changing landscape will be the ones that create superior products and attract a new breed of multifaceted employees whom the authors dub 'smart creatives'. The management maxims ('Consensus requires dissension', 'Exile knaves but fight for divas', 'Think 10X, not 10%') are illustrated with previously unreported anecdotes from Google's corporate history.

'Back in 2010, Eric and I created an internal class for Google managers,' says Rosenberg. 'The class slides all read 'Google confidential' until an employee suggested we uphold the spirit of openness and share them with the world. This book codifies the recipe for our secret sauce: how Google innovates and how it empowers employees to succeed.'

Read by award-winning narrator Holter Graham, with the foreword and introduction read by Jonathan Rosenberg.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Eric,Jonathan Schmidt,Rosenberg (P)2014 Hachette Audio

A glimpse into the modern way business should start doing things

I loved looking through the window into google as I always wondered how they became so successful. I liked the non traditional way business need to do things to survive. The book is far from a guideline but sprouts ideas you can adapt to your environment.
I loved the quirkyness it was apparent and not over done. Overall a very optimistic view into the future. Kevin Naidoo

Good Listen

Well narrated and humourous to the point of making high Tech understood. Go Trekkies. Joke.

Fabulous Book for tech enthusiasts

The book covers all the aspects which a entrepreneur may face and how he may handle it. It is a must listen for all the youngsters.

tech and management tips told in an easy way

narrator read it plain without much emotions...thats the only improvement needed.
always liked this size 10 hrs max that makes it hardly a week to finish for a slow listener like me.

Great insight into Google

The great insight into the culture and business model of Google and Silicon Valley. A must listen.

Detail oriented

The book is detailed, coupled with real life examples from the company that so many of us admire. The narrator has done a good job of narrating it with voice modulations wherever required to enhance the impact.

Good book but terrible narration

It's an ok book but No where near the likes of "The everything store" by Brad Stone about Amazon. That's probably because this is a book by an insider. Nevertheless there are nuggets of information that's valuable to learn: how to hire, how to think about product development, what products to prioritize etc.

Beautiful paradigm to share

Many learnings I'd like to instill in our company as a platform business dependent on smart creatives

Great insights into one of the best companies

There is something special about this company Google. What is that and why..? This is neatly and funnily explained by the guys who've seen it very closely. Worth listening for any entrepreneur; must for any youngster.

Every listen thought provoking

Probably the best business/management book I listened to in the last year.

Every listen left me with interesting concepts to ponder and new things to take back and implement in my business.

Highly recommend

Good read

Where does How Google Works rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Provides a good understanding of how Google works and the management approach. Interesting to see how they can be adapted for use in smaller software houses.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Very informative

Really enjoyed listening to this book, it is very informative and offers advice that can be used in any business discipline,

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good for Big Businesses / Owners

The negatives:
A bit snug and self congratulatory (understandably)
Not directly applicable to SMBs

The positives:
Interesting
Inspiring
Challenges assumptions

Awesome, Must read

If you are a business leader or planning to start a new business then this is a must read/listen book.

Valuable insights into Google’s success

Describes some of the key approaches that contributed to Google’s success and that can be used in other companies, particularly around their hiring choices that focus on smart creatives.

It sounds easy

A very insightful book, very relevant if you’re looking at starting a business or want to apply it to where you work or make a change.

It’s sounds obvious and easy when you hear it but no doubt would require a culture shift to apply in an existing incumbent business

Well worth learning the lessons being communicated

Great book not what I thought

Great book, not what I thought more like a business self-help book.

Really interesting and some great insight into Google and businesses

Very interesting book

Time well spend. The book give interesting insights into Google culture and operations. Recommended for anyone who would like to make their business more like Google.

Not that good

Underqhelming. If you want to learn about how google works, I recommend Work Rules instead.

Boring!

Very boring story, could have been a lot lot better. And the narration was awful!