Google Gulp!

Posted by Jim Stroud

April 1, 2005

Google is now offering softdrinks! Or are they? My guess is that this is a VERY cool April Fool’s joke. Why is this so cool? It gets people talking about Google. People who talk (favorably) about a company, may wish to eventually work there and even evangelize that company to their peers. Sound far fetched? I don’t think so. Ask yourself this, how many newspapers, blogs and instant messages will promote Google FOR FREE because of this stunt?

Google Gulp also does a very important thing, it breaks through the BORING message many companies put on there websites and incorporate into their HR propoganda. “We are a great place to work because we provide great benefits and a great work environment.” Yawn. Snoozer…

Now flip that to Google”s Gulp and the jobseeker gets a much better feel of company culture and (in a perfect world) is irresistibly drawn towards it. And of course, the more a candidate desires a company, the less you have to recruit them.

Brilliant! Some say a picture is worth a thousand words, I say a good April Fool’s joke is worth about a billion. (Factoring in mindshare over time, what it would have cost to advertise and reach the intended audience - the entire world and thought leadership behind this stunt)

See for yourself: Google Gulp