Is Google evil?

We are living in the information age; To make correct strategic decisions, both companies as well as governments need as much information they can have. Information, therefore has become synonymous with power, which makes information an intangible asset that guarantees success.

Hence to analyse whether Google is evil, the following questions must be understood..

Is Google an innovative company that has offered web users amazing products such as Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail and Chrome which makes lives much easier? Or is Google a power hungry corporation that is out there gathering information about our activities on the web unscrupulously?

To know more about Google's operations and business model, below is an extract from Page 3 of Google's 10K report -  Annual Report - 2012

Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. We aspire to build products that improve the lives of billions of people globally. Our mission is to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our innovations in web search and advertising have made our website a top internet property and our brand one of the most recognised in the world.

We generate revenue primarily by delivering relevant, cost-effective online advertising. Businesses use our AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising. In addition, the third parties that comprise the Google Network use our AdSense program to deliver relevant ads that generate revenue and enhance the user experience. 

In simple terms, for targeted advertising and search results, Google uses social algorithms, that need as much relevant information as possible about the behaviour of an user on the web.  Google has used its products like Gmail, Maps, Chrome, Youtube, Orkut and now Google+ to build enormous amount of customer data which is then used by it to sell its Search and Advertising products to third parties. 

Hence it is imperative for Google to pacify the security concerns of its users by giving them privacy controls and assuaging them that their sensitive data is not used without their consent. 

I personally admire Google's products and services as they are based upon break through technologies. Their work environment is legendary and they promote intrapreneurship in their employees, due to which they are able to come out with cutting edge products.

Finally, lets check out the most recent innovation from Google - Google Glass.

Cheers..

"With great power comes great responsibility"

Hello World!

Hello World!

First things first - This blog has been created due to the challenge given by our Professor of Technology and Innovation Management. And I must say it has indeed been a challenge - from thinking of a name for my blog to writing my first post.

Since I am currently doing the IMBA program at IE, Madrid, this blog would serve the purpose of giving the outside world a piece of action inside one of the top b-schools in the world. The posts will be about the courses, professors and my mates here. And I certainly hope to also blog about other things that interest me.

Cheers..