A TOUR OF GOOGLE'S OFFICE IN BERLIN

We visited Google in Berlin.

Here is the interview with Google as well as a look at their office in Berlin.

Your Business

What is your core business?

Google’s mission is it to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. One of our “ten things” is: focus on the user and all else will follow. And yes, Google is a business, too.

The revenue we generate is derived from offering search technology to companies and from the sale of advertising displayed on our site and on other sites across the web.

Thousands of advertisers worldwide use Google Ads to promote their products; thousands of publishers take advantage of our AdSense programme to deliver ads that are relevant to their site content.

google officedropin 2043 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — the entrance hall.

How did you get to your business idea and when was your company established?

Google was founded over 20 years ago in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University in California.

google officedropin 2152 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — front desk

In which countries are you active?

Google operates in more than 70 locations in over 50 countries.

google officedropin 2112 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — the signpost is painted on the wall. Funny expressions and Berlin stereotypes are used to name the meeting rooms.

google officedropin 2148 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — 3 d art peps up the clean environment.

How many employees work at your company right now? Are you planning to expand?

At our Berlin office, we have at the moment more than 130 employees from different departments such as Cloud, Marketing, Google Play, Policy, Sales, Google for Startups and YouTube. There are almost 100.000 Google employees worldwide.

google officedropin 2102 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — A very nice cafeteria on the top floor of the building.

google officedropin 2111 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — yes, this is a pizza oven.

Your Team

What kind of attitude should new employees have in order to work at your company?

New employees should be interested in digital topics. We are always looking for the right Google DNA.

google officedropin 2083 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — huge red absorbers for a better sound in this office space.

How does your recruitment process look like?

On average, each applicant has four interviews, not only with a superior, but also with potential colleagues. Our decisions are based on consensus, i.e. if only one member of the panel doubts the candidate’s suitability, we do not hire the candidate.

The work attitude is particularly important to us, because our employees should want to share and expand their knowledge and be open to change and new ideas.

In addition, it is important to us whether someone is suitable for the position in question, has analytical skills and is innovative.

The most important thing is that the applicant does not only fit in with us on the basis of academic or professional qualifications – especially the “cultural fit” plays a decisive role.

That’s why we primarily hire people who want to make a difference and are curious.

We also value applicants with a passion for technology and digital topics.

google officedropin 2096 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — a little bistro, where you can get snacks and coffee.

Why is it fun to work at your company? Do you offer any employee benefits?

Next to the regular salary Google offers plenty of different benefits for its employees. Google is known for its office culture, where the creativity and well-being of its employees are very important.

A central meeting point is the cafeteria “Berliner Luft” on the fourth floor, where “googlers” and guests can eat free and well in the morning and at noon.

There are also smaller “Microkitchen”, fitness center, massage room and modern conference rooms with videoconferencing. The rooms were named according to Berlin sayings, unusual places and Berlin songs.

The centerpiece is the historic semicircular auditorium, formerly used as a lecture hall for students.

google officedropin 2064 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — the large lecture room is a listed building.

Your Office

How big is your office?

Google has an office in Berlin since 2007. There are currently 130 “Googlers” working here. In total, the building offers 8,500 square meters of space for up to 300 employees.

The branch is managed by Annette Kroeber-Riel. In addition, the YouTube Space currently in Tempelhof will be moving here later this year as well.

google officedropin 2069 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — Is this cool design? just some stickers on the wall..

Did you get help from an interior designer to design your office? And if so, who did you work together with?

The Slang studio contributed some artwork.

google officedropin 2067 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — a multi meeting space.

google officedropin 2038 A TOUR OF GOOGLES OFFICE IN BERLIN — what is trendy on google, you see on this screen.

What are the special things in your office?

In all our offices worldwide we offer micro kitchens, food and drinks all over the offices. No Googler is ever more than 30m away from food & drink! Micro kitchens are for Googlers to randomly meet instead of only seeing your own colleagues.

Ideas results from brainstorming and exchange, that’s why there are so many areas in the office where Googlers can meet. TGIFs events are also held every Friday.