Google: In a Class of It's Own

Over the past week now, I have become greatly intrigued by the steps and methods Google is employing to ensure future corporate success. In a Sunday Times article, I came to discover the pure eccentricity surronding the Google culture. While the Mountain View, CA office is prominent for its distinctive employee benefits, it appears that Google is expanding upon the Silicon microcosm, to include the same luxuries in New York. Yes, Google is growing a satellite campus in downtown Manhattan. To accommodate the chaotic daily life of its average employee, Google is offering unique services like daily yoga, sushi and espresso bars, Thursday night socials, and much more.

This development coincides with the recent announcement that Google is searching for sales executives to help turn a profit on the newly acquired, YouTube business. Google is looking to grow office divisions in Detroit, New York, and Boston.

I also discovered this morning that Google is developing a new admissions system to better manage job applications. Sounds strange, doesn't? But in order to continue attracting the elite caliber of talent necessary, Google has established a extensive "biological" survey which includes an index score meant to detect how well a person will fit in. Google believes this new, objective approach will allow its business to distinguish aspiring leaders. Prior to this advancement, Google relied solely on onslaughts of personal interviews, some of which amounted to 10-12 visits before confirmation.

So... Have you ever:
-Turned a profit at your own non-tech side business (dog walker, catering, tutoring, etc.)
-Started your own non-profit?
-Started a club or recreational group?
-Set a regional, state, national, or world-record?

Next... Please indicate your working style preference on a scale of 1 to 5.
1 = Work Alone (A personal espresso machine and a box of Toblerone and I'm ready to go!)
5 = Work in a Team (Ten voices at once, egos colliding... ah, the challenge of getting work in edgewise)

When your employees rate has doubled, and thousands of jobs are up for grabs, new actions must to be taken. Yet, with the intention of continually creating a "better place to work," employee demand remains incredibly high. Figuratively speaking then, Google bleeds the "Ivy League" of job prerequisite, and the "utopia" of cultural dynamic. (Yahoo, beware!)
-AK

Second Life: A New Era of Advertising

Many claim that Second Life will revolutionize advertising by providing its users with a completely interactive service in which users can visit an ever-growing amount of businesses via their avatar (simulated game character). Users in Second Life can purchase LindeX -the official currency of Second Life- with US dollars in order to pay for the virtual items and do business in this virtual world. Although the LindeX is relatively invaluable, it has its own exchange rate, comparable to the US dollar. Companies such as Adidas and American Apparel have already taken advantage of this virtual economy by displaying their products in 3D virtual stores which display their current products. At these stores users can outfit their avatars in the latest styles or peruse the store's products for items that they may want to purchase in reality. Other stores are using websites like amazon.com to insert yet another aspect into this virtual marketplace; that of being able to purchase item from stores and have them delivered to your house in real life.

Another feature of Second Life which I found to be quite interesting was the ability for companies to showcase concept items in order to see if the concept product would be worth it based upon Second Life user response. One such company that has utilized this facet of Second Life is Adidas.

Austin and I were fortunate enough to have attended an informational and interactive presentation on Second Life at the Ann Arbor IT Zone. Believe it or not, there is a Harvard class which is experimenting with the Second Life technology through holding discussion groups in the virtual world. One of the men at this presentation was even pursuing the prospect of creating his own virtual library via Second Life.

Although the program has not gone error free, its programmers are slowly perfecting the technology and building up protection against hackers. Since its opening to the public in 2003, Second Life has acquired 2,337,620 residents and a great deal of excitement.
-KH

The Promise of Design

David Armano, VP of Digitas and leading contributor to the revered Logic + Emotion new marketing blog, posted a tremendous presentation on the future of design and creative thinking. In effect, Fresh + Squeezed will strive to best emulate these insightful tools and principles. Also, look forward to a wide range of blog features including slideshows, videos, sketches, and more. This is just the beginning. We're trying to get our feet wet, first. Enjoy!

Solutions to Resolutions

I discovered a widely unknown yet immensely useful site called 43things.com in an article by Outside Magazine. The site allows you to set an individual, group, or company profile detailing your biggest aspirations and goals. The site's ultimate purpose is to provide users with an accessible resource to clearly document goals as well as share them publicly with others. So, with New Year's approaching, registrants are able to post up to 43 inspiring goals. But, there's the kicker. 43things.com allows you to set deadlines as to when you want to partially or fully achieve certain goals. Also, 43things.com will personally notify you through e-mail reminders making sure your on track. Through frequent personal updates, the user can share advice and dialog as to how their hopes have panned out. While this blog post isn't directly business related, don't you think all companies should exercise the ability to publicly display organizational goals?

To check out my list on 43things.com, click on the link below:
Austin's Goals for 2007

A Seasonably Good Year for Mtn. Resort

When it snows, it snows added revenues. With two major snow dumpings on Denver, Colorado in the last month, Vail Mountain Resorts (MTN) has been enjoying record-breaking conditions for its avid skiiers and snowboarders. Despite the holdup at major airports, Vail Mtn. managed to open slopes weeks in advance, and fashion a knockout Christmas season. Following this trend, the stock has seen major upside over the past three years under the leadership of CEO, Robert Matz. At only 39 years old, investment-banker Matz holds high hopes for the $1.8 billion mountain resort juggernaut. As overseer of 40% of Colorado's ski market, Matz looks to invest hundred of millions in re-establishing its real estate holdings at Vail Village, Keystone, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Heavenly. As the #1 international ski destination, Vail Mtn. has made a long-lasting commitment to ensuring low CO2 emissions through the development of its wind turbine systems. These systems provide 100% of the energy needed to operate the chair lifts and mountain restaurants. Furthermore, Vail is making improvements to accommodate the ever-growing snowboarding market through sponsored events such as the Honda Session in January 2007. With $81 lift tickets, and visitors from all over the globe, can you spell recession proof?

Retrospective

Happy Holidays!!

To get things rolling, we thought that we would showcase the annual release from Contagious Magazine, highlighting the biggest hits of 2006. Stay tuned for input and analysis. Take a look!

View Most Contagious 2006

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