People want to be a part of a bigger picture, connected to the purpose. If all you do to improve employee moral is pay your employees more to stay, you are fighting a losing battle.
“I like working at Google because everyone has a common goal to add value to our end users lives and to make our product better for them. That makes my work exciting.”
– Rose (Google Employee) Associate Product Manager (1)
Studies have proved that earning extra money when you are in poverty means a great deal to a person, but earning more money when you are already earning a decent wage doesn’t mean as much. It’s common sense. Pavlov’s Hierarchy of needs kicks in. They have shelter, food, and gadgets and then they want more, but it’s just not as important to buy that second home compared to that first home purchase.
There is a reason that non-profit organizations don’t have to pay as high of salaries. People want to do work that they have a personal interest in. Most people want dogs or cats to live better lives. We’ve all met a dog or cat that’s just magical and could put a smile on anyone’s face. Shelters don’t have to pay top dollar to keep people helping out. People want to help these wonderful creatures because it makes them feel good.
Your company doesn’t have this same luxury. Just like Google you must find reasons that help your employees connect with your goals.
Top 10 Reasons to Work at Google (2)
1. | Lend a helping hand. With millions of visitors every month, Google has become an essential part of everyday life – like a good friend – connecting people with the information they need to live great lives. |
2. | Life is beautiful. Being a part of something that matters and working on products in which you can believe is remarkably fulfilling. |
3. | Appreciation is the best motivation, so we’ve created a fun and inspiring workspace you’ll be glad to be a part of, including on-site doctor and dentist; massage and yoga; professional development opportunities; on-site day care; shoreline running trails; and plenty of snacks to get you through the day. |
4. | Work and play are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to code and pass the puck at the same time. |
5. | We love our employees, and we want them to know it. Google offers a variety of benefits, including a choice of medical programs, company-matched 401(k), stock options, maternity and paternity leave, and much more. |
6. | Innovation is our bloodline. Even the best technology can be improved. We see endless opportunity to create even more relevant, more useful, and faster products for our users. Google is the technology leader in organizing the world’s information. |
7. | Good company everywhere you look. Googlers range from former neurosurgeons, CEOs, and U.S. puzzle champions to alligator wrestlers and former-Marines. No matter what their backgrounds Googlers make for interesting cube mates. |
8. | Uniting the world, one user at a time. People in every country and every language use our products. As such we think, act, and work globally – just our little contribution to making the world a better place. |
9. | Boldly go where no one has gone before. There are hundreds of challenges yet to solve. Your creative ideas matter here and are worth exploring. You’ll have the opportunity to develop innovative new products that millions of people will find useful. |
| 10. | There is such a thing as a free lunch after all. In fact we have them every day: healthy, yummy, and made with love. |
This chart is on their website and has probably been viewed by over a million people. They want everyone, potential employees and Google users, to understand why they do what they do. They connect their work to a larger vision that gets people excited about their company.
1 Source: Google website http://www.google.com/support/jobs/ (They’ve updated this information and the quote can no longer be accessed.
2 Source: Google website http://www.google.co.uk/jobs/reasons.html
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Hi Karl,
Google gets so much right, don’t they! With a top 10 list like this, there is much to like.
Working where you get to do innovative “things” – that is one of the things that really can make work so much fun. And when work is fun, going there just doesn’t seem so much like work!
Karl, every word a person thinks and expresses contributes to the life he leads. You offer uplifting ideas that can act to distract the mind from concepts like “lack” and poverty.” People often do not realize that word choices affect the vision they have of the world. To believe you live an abundant life affects your attitude and the opportunities you see unfolding all around.
Hi Lance, when work is fun it doesn’t seem much like work. Great point. That is what I’m looking to achieve.
Hi Liara, word choice plays a big part of how someone views themselves. The more positive words they choose the more likely they will be a positive person.
Hi Karl: When I was in law school I volunteered for a non-profit organization that helped victims of domestic violence. They were always getting calls from lawyers working for large law firms and earning mega-salaries asking if there were any positions available. They had saved up enough money and now wanted job satisfaction and meaning in their lives.
Great post…there is a reason why Google is King. They do more than just great searches, they’ve got an empire in every sense of the word.
A lot of people wish and dream of working in a place like google, but google made that culture. Every company has the chance to do the same and it starts with every individual. If you DO some of those things, you can shift your own company culture towards that as well, you don’t have to wish to be like google, just be like google.
Great post, Karl.
Just like Jack Welch said : think of yourself as a gardener, a watering can in one hand and fertilizer in the other hand. Water means salary and bonus, while fertilizer means appreciation and acknowledgement.
Hi Marelisa, I’ve heard a lot of people doing that. They suffer now so they can enjoy a good life later.
Hi Nathan, they are the king of search, work happiness and online advertising.
Hi Mike, you are right. Every company can create that type of environment with some work and passion. It doesn’t happen overnight, but the results are worth the effort. Just ask Google.
Hi Arswino, I like that quote. A sprinkle of both makes the people work hard and feel good.