Google Hyd setting trend for global operations!

The Indian operations of foreign companies are presumed to replicate their global operations. But that may not be the case always. In fact, sometimes it can be the other way round. Surprised? Well, the Hyderabad centre of online search engine, Google, is a case in point.

Google's Hyderabad centre seems to have started a trend that has the potential to be replicated by Google globally also. At least that's what Roy Gilbert, head of online sales and operations of Google Online India Pvt Ltd, believes.

"The Hyderabad centre of Google is unique when compared with our other global centres as it is only here that we provide conveyance facility to our employees," Gilbert says.

The Hyderabad centre of Google provides engineering, online sales and human resources functions. The online sales and service team in Hyderabad supports Google's English language advertisers across the world.

"At present, we employ around 3,000 across 20 countries and as far as I am aware of, we do not provide pick-up and drop facilities at any of our operations elsewhere," Gilbert says.

So what could be the reason for a change of plans for the Indian operations, you question, and pat comes the reply, "Most of the other multinational companies provide this facility here and so we followed suit."

And then, you can regulate the working hours of the employees as well, he chuckles. "In fact, this seems to be a good benefit to offer our other employees elsewhere too," Gilbert adds.

Unlike other global companies that have their operations in India, Google India employees are required to work only during the day. "Most of the work done in Hyderabad is email-based and not voice-based. So we do not need to work at night," Gilbert says. Google provides stock options to its employees as well.

Ask Gilbert about the employee profile that the online search engine has and you get an answer that leaves you slightly dazed. "Globally, we have employees ranging from an Olympic athlete to a nuclear engineer. We do not really look at the educational background while employing people for our online sales operations," he reveals.

"The incumbent should just have a passion for client servicing besides reasonably good English writing skills," he adds.

So is India finally ready for online advertising or do the conventional forms of advertising still beat it hands down? "The Indian online advertising business is growing at a rapid pace today," Gilbert gushes.

"Around six months back, when I had asked a few people here whether they have ever tried their hand at online trading, I got a negative answer. But now, at least 25 per cent of the Indians that I ask answer in the affirmative," he adds.

"People in India are now comfortable with buying and selling online. They are now convinced of the security factor as well," Gilbert says. "That is why, today, we have quite a few Indian online advertisers on our search engine," he adds.

"Internet penetration is also increasing. Besides, e-commerce is also growing in India. This is directly proportional to the online advertising business," Gilbert believes.

Google also has an R&D centre in Bangalore that is involved in product development and research for its search tool. Although Gilbert refuses to divulge information on their employee numbers in India, he adds, "we will be growing in terms of business and employee numbers in India as this country contributes significantly to our global operations."