Mr. Google Goes to Washington
December 14, 2009
On Monday, December 14, 2009, I will be delivering a 10 minute talk about Google and its impact on the US government. Now I can’t cover too much in 10 minutes, but I want to hit three of the points I will be making. If you are in DC and want to hit the conference, you can get more information at http://government25.com/.
As an introduction, I want to point out that since Mr. Brin made his famous trip in sneakers and a black T shirt several years ago, the Google has leveled up. The Google’s presence sports quite a few folks who can get the Google story across. The top brass at Google also snag those nifty White House luggage tags and cuff links. So, Mr. Google has gone to Washington, and the Googlers are learning to play the Beltway game.
Three points:
First, most people—including Googlers like my pal Cyrus—don’t have a good sense of what Google’s reality is. The problem is like the one a fish has in a fish bowl. The larger world is mostly a blur. Details are tough to discern. The result is that Google can position itself as a Web search company for the masses or as a vital tool for defense mapping. It is quite difficult to locate a person who can express the “is-ness” of Google. The reason? Google’s top 200 wizards want to manage perception. Anyway, detailed explanations require a person to have a Googler’s intellect. Most of the people with that brainpower already work at Google. Therefore, why try to teach the average mobile device user the “is-ness” of Google?
Second, since 2006, the Google has been accelerating its push into various business sectors. You know about telecommunications. You know about content, mostly because the global publishing community has been asleep at the switch, allowing the Google shinkansen to blast on through without stopping. There are five or six other sectors largely unaware that Googzilla is on its way to their fertile fields. This means 2010 will witness more Google disruptions. So, fasten your seatbelt. If you work in one of the somnambulant sectors, get your résumé in order. Wal*Mart may be hiring.
Third, Google’s Lego approach to products and services means that Google can out-innovate most companies. Sure, there are a couple of outfits that have an edge on the Google. Example: Facebook. But in general, Google can move quickly which means that both competitors, customers, and partners are almost always off balance. The lack of balance means that the Google can do pretty much whatever it wants. Once folks react, the Google has moved forward. The opportunities just keep on coming while competitors waste time, resources, and energy trying to deal with where Google has been.
Bottomline: Google is going to have a major impact on the US government starting with the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2010. In a word: unstoppable.
Stephen E. Arnold, December 14, 2009
I wish to disclose to the USGS that Google is like the San Andreas fault. The Google runs through seven business sectors, not California. Oh, I was not paid by the sponsor of this conference to give a talk. We did a horse trade or a goose trade. I suppose this means I was compensated to think up this analysis, give a talk, and write this self-serving, tongue-in-cheek article. So be it. I am a shameless shill for myself.
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