1. Encourage Input Google team members live by a code of tolerance and respect. Once decisions are made, the company insists upon consensus and cooperation from everyone.

2. Think Lean A typical employee-to-manager ratio in the technology industry is seven-to-one. Google averages 20 employees for every managerthe result of an inclusive culture.

3. Focus On The Numbers Data rules at Google, as the company understands decision-making is easier when based on facts. Make sure your small business has strong data.

4. Share On Fridays, Google has an all-hands on deck meeting complete with refreshments to disseminate information and solicit feedback.

5. Test Employment candidates endure several levels of testing and eight or more interviews, being graded at every turn. Some of the brightest dont get hired, if theyre not team players.

6. Improve On Someone Elses Idea Search engines, video file management, mapping, online auctions, e-mailall of these existed before. Google just made them easier to use.

7. Play Big Some say Google wants to control the Internet, because whoever does will rule the world. There is nothing wrong with aiming high, even if its a tad short of global dominance.

8. Dont Fear Competition Google wasnt afraid to go up against Yahoo or MSN. If you believe in your small business, welcome all challengersand dont fear Goliath.

9. Recover Did you know Google was supposed to be Googol (like the number)? Someone misspelled it on an application, so they went with it. Not a bad decision as it turns out.

10. Create An Experience Google focuses on being user-friendly, utilizing its 82 million monthly visitors as a big testing ground, then adapting quickly to suggestions and feedback.

11. Be Innovative Internet advertising (think: pop-up) was in decline until Google came up with a new approach. Look for new ways to do something old in your small business.

Copyright 2006 by Success Handler, LLC. All rights reserved.