Google Truths
While reading Bill Moggridge's DESIGNING INTERACTIONS, I became aware of the "Ten Things Google has Found to be True." It's Google's corporate manifesto from the early 2000s and it's a very worthwhile read. [Maybe you've already read it and I'm just late to the party. If so ... then my laggardness is showing--sorry.]
Google's ten things it has found to be true are:
1. Focus on the user and all else will follow.
2. It's best to do one thing really, really well.
3. Fast is better than slow.
4. Democracy on the web works.
5. You don't need to be at your desk to need an answer.
6. You can make money without doing evil.
7. There's always more information out there.
8. The need for information crosses all borders.
9. You can be serious without a suit.
10. Great just isn't good enough.
You can (and should) read all the support prose in the manifesto as I'm just gonna share snippets from a few of the more universally meaningful tenants.
1. Focus on the user and all else will follow.
"From its inception, Google has focused on providing the best user experience possible. While many companies claim to put their customers first, few are able to resist the temptation to make small sacrifices to increase shareholder value. Google has steadfastly refused to make any change that does not offer a benefit to the users who come to the site: The interface is clear and simple; Pages load instantly; Placement in search results is never sold to anyone; Advertising on the site must offer relevant content and not be a distraction.
By always placing the interests of the user first, Google has built the most loyal audience on the web. And that growth has come not through TV ad campaigns, but through word of mouth from one satisfied user to another.
"2. It's best to do one thing really, really well.
"Google does search. With one of the world's largest research groups focused exclusively on solving search problems, we know what we do well, and how we could do it better. Through continued iteration on difficult problems, we've been able to solve complex issues and provide continuous improvements to a service already considered the best on the web at making finding information a fast and seamless experience for millions of users."
[NOTE: I know what you're thinking ... Google is no longer supremely focused on search. Complexity creep has creeped into Google. I agree. And, Google has a notation explanation in their manifesto to justify why Gmail, Google Desktop, and GoogleMaps exist. Not sure I totally agree with their explanation though. I side more with Laura Ries' view of Google as "Octopus."]
3. Fast is better than slow.
"Google believes in instant gratification. You want answers and you want them right now. Who are we to argue? Google may be the only company in the world whose stated goal is to have users leave its website as quickly as possible."
10. Great just isn't good enough.
"Always deliver more than expected. Google does not accept being the best as an endpoint, but a starting point. Through innovation and iteration, Google takes something that works well and improves upon it in unexpected ways."
Question ... does your company have a listing of truths it has found to be true? Does your company have a written-down list of three to five things it will never, under no circumstances, compromise as it grows? If not, why not? And, what are you going to do that change that!!??!!
Great application of Google truths - your question is a zinger!
We are working on some answers here at White Rabbit.
Thanks.
Keep creating,
Mike
Posted by: Michael Wagner | January 18, 2007 at 04:41 PM
Fast is better than slow. Maybe. I've always found "Right is better than wrong." And I'd always rather do something "right" than do it "fast", all things considered.
I spent almost an hour on Google today looking for data that I never did find. They were plenty "fast." They just weren't "right." I guess "great" wasn't good enough !
Posted by: Stephen Denny | January 18, 2007 at 08:12 PM
I think that in Google's paradigm, fast is definitely better than slow. The average user waits no more than 2 seconds for a page to load, before trying another page, or moving on. If Google's pages had all taken 10 seconds to load instead of 1, would you still have spent an hour searching through their site?
Posted by: Vince | January 19, 2007 at 12:36 AM
Given the headlines some months back re the China censorship, I wonder how this squares with "democracy on the web" and "crossing borders." It's risky making lofty statements and finding yourself contradicting them like this.
Posted by: Stephen Denny | January 20, 2007 at 03:54 PM