Here's a snapshot of its employee growth in less than five years:
Table 1: Google's Growth
Date | Headcount | % of Change Since 12/2001 |
December 31, 2001 | 284 | 0% |
December 31, 2002 | 682 | 140% |
December 31, 2003 | 1,628 | 473% |
June 30, 2004 | 2,292 | 707% |
December 31, 2004 | 3,021 | 964% |
September 30, 2005 | 4,989 | 1657% |
Source: SEC filings; Leon, the Google shoeshine guy |
So, how long before the layoffs begin?
— Phil Harvey, Dot Com Math Editor, Light Reading
3 years.
For the next year, Google will continue its normal growth as it begins to fund all these myriad of new programs.
In year 2, these new programs begin to drag on profits dramtically as they suck in a lot of money and yet none is made. This happens to a lot of companies when they branch out to new things they don't know about.
In year 3, Revenues flatten and profits decline. The Board of Directors replaces the Founders with professional management. This new management begins to close down some of the new programs. And layoffs ensue.
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