“Google is not a conventional company,” declared Sergey Brin and Larry Page as they took their firm public in 2004. “We do not intend to become one.” On December 3 they bowed out as, respectively, president and chief executive of Alphabet, Google’s parent and the world’s fourth-biggest listed firm. Their creation remains unconventional in some ways, if not in others. They leave a mixed legacy for Sundar Pichai, a career Googler in charge of its core search-engine business, who assumes both roles … Its employees are growing restive; 20,000 walked out a year ago over the firm’s handling of sexual harassment cases. Those still wedded to Google’s once-official credo, “don’t be evil” (ditched in 2018), have condemned decisions to offer a censored search engine in China (also binned) or work with America’s armed forces. It has sacked staff involved in unionization efforts. Several said this week that they will file charges with regulators. Perhaps the two founders wanted to palm these problems off to someone else. The Economist
While the majority of college students in a recent survey believe their major selection is a key determinant of future job prospects, only 50 percent of employers analyzed in the study specified a major requirement for job listings. Why? Employers are increasingly focusing on job skills, according to Handshake, a career community that connects students and graduates with employers across the United States. The survey, conducted by Propeller Insights on behalf of Handshake, polled 1,004 U.S. college students mostly between the ages of 16 and 24 about their majors and career expectations, and analyzed hiring data from employers using the Handshake Premium platform. “The overemphasis on the relationship between major and career prospects is outdated and needs to be reevaluated,” commented Christine Cruzvergara, vice president of higher education and student success at Handshake, in a statement. “To succeed in finding meaningful and satisfying careers post-graduation, students should shift to developing a new mindset. They should focus on developing skills including the ability to synthesize information, think critically, and communicate well, which will serve them both in college and beyond.” Campus Technology
As 2020 approaches, HR leaders are focused on five key measures to continue driving business outcomes, according to Gartner, Inc. The priorities include: building critical skills and competencies, strengthening the current and future leadership bench, incorporating organizational design and change management, driving digital business transformation, and enhancing employee experience. “HR leaders’ priorities for 2020 reflect the critical needs that organizations need to tackle in order to successfully operate in today’s uncertain conditions,” said Leah Johnson, vice president of advisory in the Gartner HR practice. “While digital transformation has already generated skill gaps and strained leadership capabilities, we are also seeing that companies are missing the skills needed to restructure their businesses and manage the change that every organization is facing.” In fact, Gartner research shows that only 9% of chief human resource officers agree that their organization is prepared for the future of work. Gartner
Interesting topic on the most recent Women at Work podcast by Amy Bernstein and Amy Gallo, editor and contributing editor, respectively, of HBR. Starting sometime around our mid-50s, work presents us with a new set of biases. Coworkers assume that older people are tired and uninterested in professional development. Eventually they start asking when you’re going to retire. But experience and maturity can give women an advantage in the workplace. On this podcast, the Amys interview aging expert and Washington University prof Nancy Morrow-Howell about putting in the effort to stay current, how to assert yourself when you feel overlooked, and what to say when people ask that annoying retirement question. Then, HBR.org editor Maureen Hoch joins the Amys to talk about what growing older has been like for them. They also give advice on leaving a secure job for new opportunities and managing the combined stress of parenting, a demanding career, and menopause. HBR
The fallout from Gabrielle Union’s controversial “America’s Got Talent” exit continues. NBC News had reported Wednesday that members of Union’s team were scheduled to meet with representatives from NBC as the network, through counsel, investigates allegations of a “toxic” and “racially insensitive” work environment. Union confirmed that a meeting between her team and NBC had taken place to discuss the workplace culture at “America’s Got Talent.” The actress tweeted that she had “a lengthy 5-hour, and what I thought to be, productive meeting yesterday,” adding, “I was able to, again, express my unfiltered truth. I led with transparency and my desire and hope for real change.” Variety published a report alleging Union’s contract was not picked up after urging the show’s producers to report an incident involving a racist joke and after she was told her hairstyles on the show were “too black.” A separate report by Vulture alleged workplace tension between Union and Simon Cowell, a judge and an executive producer on the series, partly over Cowell’s habit of smoking on set, which is prohibited in California. NBC, along with production company Fremantle and Cowell’s company Syco, said in a statement to CNN on Monday they are working with Union to “hear more about her concerns.” CNN
When you give a book for the holidays, you’re giving the gift of lifelong learning, and all the happiness, connection, and career success that come with it. That makes books one of the biggest no-brainer holiday present options out there. But which book should you give? TED is here to help out with its annual roundup of recommendations from speakers to match any taste. The complete gift guide covers everything from kids’ books to the best picks for sci-fi fans and science nerds. But there are a few best picks of TED speakers for the more business-oriented folks on your shopping list. A few standouts for HR pros on this list are “Minority Leader,” by Stacey Abrams; “Dare to Lead,” by Brene Brown; “Creativity, Inc.” by Ed Catmull (about Pixar’s culture); and “The Fearless Organization,” by Amy Edmondson. Inc.
