Visit of Google

Google and the Googleplex were our last visit into the Silicon Valley. Two women from the Human Resources welcomed us: Vicky Wang and Michelle Nguyen who are in charge of the MBA program.

They organized a meeting with six speakers: The creator of Google Earth, a project manager, two other people from the Human Resources. The first “Googler” explained the innovation and entrepreneurship process within Google (to launch new applications and even new products). It was very interesting to see how easily an idea can grow up in such an environment where creativity is enhanced.

At Google, every single employee has 20% of his time devoted to work on an innovative project that is out of his scope of competences. As a result, every single one kind of works for the R&D department.

We also talked about competitors; the speakers answered explaining that Google pay a very close attention to the customers’ reaction. They permanently adapt their offer, following the expectations of the market and advice from their clients.

They also gave us an explanation about their HR process and policy.

Then, they gave us a tour of the place. Every one has been impressed by the open spaces and how easily every one has access to everyone. Everything is done to encourage interaction between people, and to enhance the pleasure of working. From food to massage and Jacuzzi, everything is free! The food court is just an impressive melting pot of chefs!

Google sounds like employees’ paradise!

Meeting with Eric Benhamou

We will meet first with Mr Eric Benhamou on Monday, January 14th at 10 A.M. in an amphitheater at Stanford University.

 

Eric Benhamou is chairman and CEO of Benhamou Global Ventures, LLC. Benhamou Global Ventures, started in 2003, invests and plays an active role in innovative high tech firms throughout the world. Mr. Benhamou is also the chairman of the board of directors of 3Com Corporation and palmOne, Inc. He served as chief executive officer of Palm, Inc. from October 2001 until October 2003. Benhamou served as chief executive officer of 3Com Corporation from September 1990 until December 31, 2000. 

 

In 1997, former President Bill Clinton appointed Mr. Benhamou to the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee which advises the President on research and development focal points of federal programs to maintain United States leadership in advanced computing and communications technologies and their applications. In 1998, Mr. Benhamou was recognized by former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the Foreign Investor Jubilee Award.

 

Mr. Benhamou, 49, holds honorary doctoral degrees from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Widener University, Western Governors University and the University of South Carolina. He has a Master of Science degree from Stanford University's School of Engineering and a Diplôme d'Ingénieur from Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers, Paris.