Google - An Employee's Playground

According to CNN.com, Google is ranked #4 out of America’s 100 Best Places to Work.  Why, might you ask.  Well...Google let’s it’s workers play.

Yes, I said it. Workers at Google have fun going to work.  They get free food at any of the cafeterias at Google headquarters, have access to a climbing wall, and to top it all off, are able to get laundry done for free at work.  Yes, that’s free laundry at work (every American employee’s dream).

Google workers also had a 10% pay hike last year (amidst an economic recession) in addition to $175 peer spot bonuses, which were received by more than two-thirds of employees.  

And last year, the company’s revenue was up more than 20% (amidst an economic recession).

What can we learn from Google?  

Being a manager is not about who can show who’s boss better than the next.  Running a successful company does not come from making employees dread coming to work. Fear does not promote a results-oriented environment.

Rather, when people enjoy doing what they do and enjoy the environment they do that in, magic happens.

Yep, happiness breeds productivity.  Google holds the proof in it’s revenues.  For just the 4th quarter of 2010, Google reported $8.22 billion in revenues.  

As managers and thought leaders for our organization, we must realize the power of positivity in the workplace.  Without it, our organizations can lose the capability to become all that they can be.

If you don’t believe me, google it. ;)

Image retrieved from http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2010/05/18/johns-creek-4th-grade-doodles-her-way-to-possible-google-fame/