aFlickringLight weblog

In our ever globalizing world, news and information is available to those “connected” folks worldwide within seconds. This most recent presidential election proved that technology is what we rely on. And if one things for sure, those that know how to effectively utilize the mediums of technology that interconnect us all can rapidly spread information, gain support, and share information. President Obama realized the importance of social networking in America and around the world. Contrastingly Senator John McCain admittedly feared technology, and all political ideologies aside, it likely cost him the election.

Anyway, politics aside, here’s an interesting video I came across on Gizmodo today to the likes of Google’s realtime search index so enjoy. Both videos are worth watching, the embedded one here and the Google Geniuses on the TED website linked again [here].

Update: I guess I should tell you what this video is showing you. During Obama’s presidential inauguration, the nerds over at MIT were busy scouring the world wide interspace for all cal activity made, from all points of the world. It provides a very interesting perspective into the traffic AT&T trunk lines and backbone networks were experiencing leading up to and after the historic event. The engineering guru’s were kept busy around the world. Take note of the vast amount of traffic funneling in and out of Washington D.C. throughout the virtual timeline.

After spending a week talking about Google in class, my fascination with the company was confirmed. This is a company that truly cares about its employees, and in turn, furnishes great products. It begins at the top and the operating atmosphere manages to filter its way down to even the lowest level employees.

Meals are free, that’s a rule. Common services are provided including dry cleaning, massage therapy, outdoor athletics, etc. All available to Google employees for free. And they get utilized on their 20% off a week? What other company gives its employees one day out of five workdays paid off to do whatever they wish? The list is nonexistent.

Since the Google building sprung up in Irvine years ago, I have always seen people playing basketball, volleyball, and relaxing around the mini-campus. And I always wondered what was going on; they looked like they were having too much fun. Well, that’s what goes on at Google. It is a fun atmosphere. It is a productive environment. And it is a successful company.

Google shares a problem that a few companies today have begun facing – a staffing issue. But, unlike many traditional businesses that have to seek out employees and talent, Google has the problem of being overwhelmed with employment requests from a talented pool of the workforce. They actually have a problem of having to turn away qualified applicants – quite the problem to have, quite the position to be in.

The employment sector is changing and the loyalty that people used to carry towards its employers is gone. The technology sector is the premier example of an industry that has realized this and acted. Many technology companies have founded themselves upon a principle of developing a fun, “different” work environment to not only recruit talent, but to spur innovation. Because, when people are comfortable and enjoying what they are doing, their level of productivity not only increases, so does their innovative thinking.

Gmail was created as a bet amongst a few Google employees messing around together on their paid day off. Google Labs is a site full of creative projects – many concocted on the employees day off.

Larry Page and Sergey Bren have started something great – and seen it through. They have dreamed the seemingly impossible and continue to work to make the seemingly impossible true. Looking at the company’s mission statement and philosophy on their corporate page reveals just that – dream big and make it happen.

[photo from MySergeyBrin]