Business at Google is healthy. However, in these uncertain times Google is watching its expenses and is getting downright frugal by tightening some of its famed employee perks (free food, free massages, etc.).
The New York Times ran an interesting interview with Eric Schmidt (Google CEO) where he comments on managing the company during this economic avalanche. He was asked if it is enjoyable to manage a company on a spending diet. His answer may surprise you...

Thanks for this, John. To me, it's similar to the mindset of top athletes: they want to compete under the toughest conditions (in the biggest tournaments, against the best opponents, etc.) to prove their mettle -- for themselves as much as for anyone else.
Posted by: Tim (@Twalk) Walker | November 10, 2008 at 02:29 PM
In an economic downturn, for most employees, just keeping your job is a "perk." Get busy innovating and working hard to help pull this economy out of the doldrums and free food and massages can return!
Posted by: Allan | November 10, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Learning to do as much with less in one aspect of the challenge at times like these, the winners have to be the ones who manage to do more with less!
Posted by: Jules | November 29, 2008 at 12:48 PM