Last week search engine Google announced long-awaited plans to go public. The unconventional company is the first major dot-com offering since the technology bust. The IPO registration statement is full of interesting details, especially the opening “Letter from the Founders.”
The letter includes details about how Google plans to do business as a public company, which includes the principle “don’t be evil.” The letter goes on to say “We believe strongly that in the long term, we will be better served–as shareholders and in all other ways–by a company that does good things for the world even if we forgo some short term gains.”
Another guiding principle, “We aspire to make Google an institution that makes the world a better place,” may seem overly idealistic, but it’s a lot better than the corporate scandal that’s become standard.
Thanks for the post on Google’s Don’t Be Evil philosophy. It’s refreshing, isn’t it?
Google’s IPO should get “Don’t Be Evil.” a lot of publicity–and when people dig into it a bit, they’ll find that it’s not just an empty corporate catchphrase.
Google has lived this philosophy, and they’re not just being altruistic — it’s paid off big time. By refusing to let ad dollars corrupt search results, they’ve become #1 in search. Users trust Google not to tamper with their information just to make a quick buck.
I’m exploring how the Don’t Be Evil ethic applies not only to Google, but to business, politics and the media. I’d be honored to get feedback on my site, http://www.dontbeevil.com.
Thanks!
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