The new operating reality

I just read that Google search boss Prabhakar Raghavan told employees at an all-hands meeting that “things are not like they were 15-20 years ago.” He was speaking specifically about the increasing competition and regulatory risk that Google is planning on facing in the coming years.

I would have loved to get a full vide of the presentation. Google has been in a position of power for the last 20 years dominating the search and a lot of the tech world. Employees enjoyed cushy pay and appreciation stock coupled with amazing workplace perks. I like many have been envious of some of the things I’ve heard.

None of this is a surprise to me of course. The tech world has rapidly changed over the last two years post-ZIRP. In addition, we have tech advancements like AI which creates a new dynamic. While Prabhakar was referring to Google, I do believe that this is likely the new operating reality in almost all of tech in general.

Employers focused on employee happiness and flexibility over the last 10 years. The next 10 will be about employee productivity. Things got too cushy for most of us in the tech world, especially in the ZIRP years and we all needed a dose of reality.