How Google Works by Eric Schmidt & Jonathan Rosenberg Summary
Overview of How Google Works
Peek inside Google's legendary innovation machine with the ultimate insider's guide by former CEO Eric Schmidt. This New York Times bestseller reveals the "smart creatives" philosophy that revolutionized hiring practices across industries and introduced the OKR framework now used by countless companies. How did messiness become Google's secret weapon?
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Key takeaways
When Engineers Took Over the Corner Office
What happens when two PhD students with zero business training build a company that defies every MBA principle? In 2001, Eric Schmidt walked into Google's offices and found something that shouldn't have worked: engineers occupying executive roles, no formal business plans, and a culture that seemed designed to create chaos. Yet this "shouldn't work" approach built a $50-billion enterprise that would reshape how we think about business itself. The secret wasn't just about free food or colorful office spaces-it was about recognizing that the internet had fundamentally changed the rules. When information flows freely, computing power is unlimited, and global connectivity is instant, the old playbook becomes obsolete. The question isn't whether your industry will be disrupted, but whether you'll be the one doing the disrupting.
The Smart Creative Revolution
Designing Chaos: How Workspace Shapes Innovation
Strategy Is Dead, Long Live Technical Insight
Hiring: The Only Thing That Really Matters
Decisions and Communication: The Engines of Execution
The Future Belongs to the Brave
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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