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Published on April 23, 2008

Paul Acito

Today, let us look at innovation leadership from the second company on that list, Google.

I "Googled" Google (1.94 million hits in .07 seconds) and here is what I learned: Google is worth US$16 billion (Bt505.8 billion), with 16,800 employees.

It was founded in 1998 by two Stanford graduate students and its market cap is about $138 billion. By the way, "Googol" is the mathematical term for a 1 followed by 100 zeroes.

So, what's the engine driving Google's success? Innovation. Here are the lessons the company has to offer:

Mission is Critical

Google's mission is simple, audacious and well-known inside and outside the company - "to organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful". How do they

do this? Google's "Ten Things" list offers insight into their strategy.

1. Focus on the user and all else will follow.

2. It is best to do one thing really, really well.

3. Fast is better than slow.

4. Democracy on the Web works.

5. You do not need to be at your desk to need an answer.

6. You can make money without doing evil.

7. There is always more information out there.

8. The need for information crosses all borders.

9. You can be serious without a suit.

10. Great is not good enough.

Trust People to Innovate

Google seeks out and hires the best engineers, statisticians and economists.

They are encouraged to experiment as risk is recognised as part of the learning process.

One of their mottos, "fail fast", is telling as most innovations fail or do not matter.

Also, they require their engineers to spend 20 per cent of their time working on something outside their core project - Google ads, Gmail and many other innovations came from this.

Innovation is a social science

Google bases its development on customer insights, its voluminous data and a deep understanding of its innovation process.

In its short history it has developed a culture of innovation which invites contributions and cross talk from all employees.

For instance, Google is famous for its delicious, no charge Google Cafes. Why give away food? People talk while they eat and if you employ "wicked smart" people, you want them to share ideas.

No wonder Google has topped Fortune Magazine's "Best Places to Work" list two years in a row.

"Happy People are more productive," co-founder Larry Page told Fortune.

Of course there is a great deal of technology that Google's engineers, statisticians and economists employ.

But Google recognises that innovation is fragile because innovation is human.

Innovation is built on creativity which has diversity as its foundation. So, its teams innovate inspired by a clear mission. They are encouraged to collaborate and even given permission to fail.

So, even if employees cannot change the world, they can at least try to "organise its information and make it universally accessible and useful".

Paul Acito is managing director of 3M Thailand. Follow his column on the fourth Wednesday of every month.