Google's for kids: Riverbed founder

Founder and CEO of network optimisation company Riverbed Technology, Jerry Kennelly yesterday slammed search giant Google for its overly casual work ethic, saying staff will soon become too embarrassed to work there.

Goo-gle Gaga?(Too many toys image by Upsilon Andromedae, CC BY 2.0)

"Google is nothing more than a boring advertising company," he said at a media roundtable yesterday for the launch of a managed WAN optimisation service with Macquarie Telecom.

"Five years from now, I think [Google] will look bad on your resume. They eat food, sit around on beanbags and have 'designated thinking time'.

"That's not for adults, that's for kids."

Kennelly said that Riverbed encourages its staff to think creatively about new projects, but in what he thought was a more realistic and professional way. Staff are free to approach senior management with their own projects, so long as the idea and their pitch are treated seriously. If a project makes sense and has a solid business case then Riverbed will take it on.

"It's called work," he said.

Staff are treated more like adults at Riverbed, according to Kennelly, with each given "autonomy over their own work" and referred to by name, not as a number.

He said management also attempted to make new employees feel a part of the company and its achievements, to keep them interested in the development of the business.

"Someone we hire tomorrow is as important to the future of our business as a guy we hired eight years ago," he said.

Riverbed Technology holds team events for its staff including parties and team picnics. Staff of the San Francisco office are preparing to run the city marathon in July, dressed in the company colours to celebrate its anniversary.

Google Australia declined to comment.