Thursday, March 02, 2006
Googled Google
So I got lucky enough to visit the Google campus (Mtn View) a few weeks ago. A kind soul (yes, they do have such people there), a friend of a friend (ok, a friend) let us (me and an other friend) in as guests. It was a fascinating visit to say the least.
From the outside, it appears just an ordinary workplace. Security is present at all entrances in the huge parking lot. Nothing exotic about the buildings - it is the old SGI campus. We found our way to the visitor's building. We signed in using an electronic signer/label-printer (give it a good name) - that was impressive. When I's at Microsoft doing my internship, they didn't have such a thing there (it was all manual) - but that was 5 years ago. eBay currently has a hybrid process. :-)
We headed straight out to their famed, acclaimed cafe. It has a stunning variety of food, which appeared more stunning because the food was free - absolutely free (read that again) - Indian, Italian, Mexican, American (yes, there is such a thing), followed by a variety of desserts. The food quality if awesome. It won't be an exaggeration to say that there, I've had the best coriander-chutney so far. Same goes for Roasted Chicken, for my friend.
Turns out, Google interviews its Chefs with the same intensity as it interviews its employees. (there goes my chance to cook for Google). There was also a news agency there, trying to set up its backdrop with Google's name on it. The cafe was full of hungry free-fooders when we went. To prevent 'unauthorized entry' (isn't hunger enough authority? oh well), they have security guards randomly keeping an eye on the badges. :-)
We then walked into the building where they host most of their engineering folk. Inside is surely a pretty place - lava lamps, colorful posters, each paper-millionaire's cube has its own identity made out of unique things. Everyone has envious huge-screen monitors (bigger than big-screen) on their desks. There are also some funky permanently temporary cubicles set up. Also passed by their (discount) massage room. They don't have a museum kind of a thing set up yet - they should.
We then sat down talking. Exchanged a bunch of questions and answers. I learnt that Google has a flat reporting structure - employee to manager to VP. Larry and Sergei hold meetings regularly where they discuss upcoming products (sorry, visitors are not allowed). Timings are generally flexible and you can choose not to do anything special with your 20% time! :-)
We headed out with a full stomach. All in all, worth 2 hours spent. Hope to do that sometime again! :-)
From the outside, it appears just an ordinary workplace. Security is present at all entrances in the huge parking lot. Nothing exotic about the buildings - it is the old SGI campus. We found our way to the visitor's building. We signed in using an electronic signer/label-printer (give it a good name) - that was impressive. When I's at Microsoft doing my internship, they didn't have such a thing there (it was all manual) - but that was 5 years ago. eBay currently has a hybrid process. :-)
We headed straight out to their famed, acclaimed cafe. It has a stunning variety of food, which appeared more stunning because the food was free - absolutely free (read that again) - Indian, Italian, Mexican, American (yes, there is such a thing), followed by a variety of desserts. The food quality if awesome. It won't be an exaggeration to say that there, I've had the best coriander-chutney so far. Same goes for Roasted Chicken, for my friend.
Turns out, Google interviews its Chefs with the same intensity as it interviews its employees. (there goes my chance to cook for Google). There was also a news agency there, trying to set up its backdrop with Google's name on it. The cafe was full of hungry free-fooders when we went. To prevent 'unauthorized entry' (isn't hunger enough authority? oh well), they have security guards randomly keeping an eye on the badges. :-)
We then walked into the building where they host most of their engineering folk. Inside is surely a pretty place - lava lamps, colorful posters, each paper-millionaire's cube has its own identity made out of unique things. Everyone has envious huge-screen monitors (bigger than big-screen) on their desks. There are also some funky permanently temporary cubicles set up. Also passed by their (discount) massage room. They don't have a museum kind of a thing set up yet - they should.
We then sat down talking. Exchanged a bunch of questions and answers. I learnt that Google has a flat reporting structure - employee to manager to VP. Larry and Sergei hold meetings regularly where they discuss upcoming products (sorry, visitors are not allowed). Timings are generally flexible and you can choose not to do anything special with your 20% time! :-)
We headed out with a full stomach. All in all, worth 2 hours spent. Hope to do that sometime again! :-)
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Next time you are in Bombay, allow me to take you to the Reliance Campus, primarily Reliance Infocomm at New Bombay.
Yes, we have label printers there, as you enter you will find golf carts to help you reach your destination (the campus is 160 acres), we also own about 1200 acres nearby from NoCil complex ( a fertilizer company Reliance bought shamelessly only for real estate assets) and is yet to be built into a swanky complex.
There are about 12 large cafes in Reliance and all of them serve mexican, italian, indian, continental, junk, american food with an average price of 12/-
(everything vegetarian)
There are a couple of executive lounges for about 300/-
After you meal, you can walk through a skyway thru the huge 1200? seater Network Operating Center (Hindi films can shoot here to simulate NASA but i think it is easier to find permission with NASA, to shoot) this is obviously earthquake, attack, etc proof.
There is a museum where you can see the vision of Reliance Infocomm, mobile connectivity in medicine, security, r money (mobile points currency) in exchange of credit cards, etc
Also, a lot of stuff on Reliance Milestones and a video on the company and the founder.
As you walk out of the museum, you walk to the nearby temple, pay your respect, and can take a nice walk by the 8-acre lake. After you pass the lake, there is a huge guesthouse with swimming pools and all (some of Reliance expat employees live here), and then if you are lucky you can see the chopper drop by and Reliance executives are picked up by 3 mercedez and drop them half a kilometer away to their office (this is the sole purpose of the 3 mercedez).
There are many other things, but you have to see it to believe it.
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Yes, we have label printers there, as you enter you will find golf carts to help you reach your destination (the campus is 160 acres), we also own about 1200 acres nearby from NoCil complex ( a fertilizer company Reliance bought shamelessly only for real estate assets) and is yet to be built into a swanky complex.
There are about 12 large cafes in Reliance and all of them serve mexican, italian, indian, continental, junk, american food with an average price of 12/-
(everything vegetarian)
There are a couple of executive lounges for about 300/-
After you meal, you can walk through a skyway thru the huge 1200? seater Network Operating Center (Hindi films can shoot here to simulate NASA but i think it is easier to find permission with NASA, to shoot) this is obviously earthquake, attack, etc proof.
There is a museum where you can see the vision of Reliance Infocomm, mobile connectivity in medicine, security, r money (mobile points currency) in exchange of credit cards, etc
Also, a lot of stuff on Reliance Milestones and a video on the company and the founder.
As you walk out of the museum, you walk to the nearby temple, pay your respect, and can take a nice walk by the 8-acre lake. After you pass the lake, there is a huge guesthouse with swimming pools and all (some of Reliance expat employees live here), and then if you are lucky you can see the chopper drop by and Reliance executives are picked up by 3 mercedez and drop them half a kilometer away to their office (this is the sole purpose of the 3 mercedez).
There are many other things, but you have to see it to believe it.
# posted by 
: 11:19 AM, October 05, 2007
: 11:19 AM, October 05, 2007 << Home
