Changes at Google: No more superfluous updates? Internal rating system will be defused

Many Google products are regularly provided with updates that can have a wide variety of effects and sometimes involve major changes. The changes are not always comprehensible to the users and it has been known for a long time that things are often only adapted for the sake of change. This could soon be significantly reduced because Google wants to evaluate the internal objectives less often.

As is common in many American companies and as is often the case in German corporations, Google has an internal evaluation system for many employees. These are regularly evaluated by superiors, which can have a major impact on further careers within the company. It has been known for a long time that everything is geared towards receiving a “promotion” internally – i.e. recognition of an important achievement for the company, including the next step on the career ladder.

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We described the system to you in this article a few years ago and apparently, it still exists. With this knowledge in mind, some of the company’s strategies suddenly become comprehensible – at least from the point of view of the responsible manager. For every major adjustment, every change of strategy and every new product launch, there are plenty of points on the internal account. No wonder every employee only works toward the semi-annual meeting.

As has now become known, these assessments took place every six months. Conversely, this means that every employee has to show something every six months. Now, however, the pressure is being taken off and this will only take place once a year. The principle will probably not change, but this gives the employees more time to work on their projects.

If you believe the information, 47 percent of the Google employees surveyed consider the rating system to be the time that is not being used wisely. There should be something to it and the reduction can make better use of the time. The evaluations are primarily about the “impact” for the company, i.e. the positive effects of one’s own work on the company. The work of the Googler is classified on a scale with these four ratings, among other things:

  • Not enough impact
  • Outstanding
  • Significant impact
  • Transformative

Depending on your own position you can find that good or bad. In my personal experience, something like this promotes discord in the departments, the rise of dazzlers and busybodies, and the exploitation of the subordinates’ work management. Of course, everyone is there to work and is well paid, but human contact should not be neglected. It remains to be seen whether this will have an impact on Google products in the medium term.

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