Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Google to Facebook: Lay Off My Talent!

    While many people would donate their left (or right) kidney to work for Google, it appears that the company is losing some of its talent to rival Facebook. I had a chance to tour Google's European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and I must admit that they know how to treat their employees well. All Google offices have break rooms that feature video game consoles, ping pong tables, and flat screen TVs where workers can get their "creative juices flowing". There are kitchens on every floor stocked with anything a Google employee's heart could desire. Offices feature massage parlors and dry cleaning services, so employees can get their chores done at work. But apparently, that isn't enough.
     Facebook and other social media companies like Twitter have a powerful tool that Google does not: pre-IPO stock. Facebook has been able to lure engineers away from Google with hefty stock option packages, but Google rebutted with a promise to give all 23,000 employees a 10% raise this year. While Google used to be the "it" place to work, people are starting to say it is the "safe" place to work. Facebook has now replaced Google as the leader in attracting world-class talent. However, with how fast technology changes I'm sure there will be a new leader by the time I am done with this blog post. Nonetheless, Facebook-1, Google-0.

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