Raghavan, known for his casual attire, started by creating a relaxed atmosphere, even suggesting employees grab boba tea.
Maintaining ad growth trajectory would be challenging
Leading a vast group encompassing search, ads, maps, and commerce, Raghavan acknowledged the significant growth Google has experienced over the past two decades. Highlighting the success of their digital advertising business, he pointed out the substantial revenue increase in recent years. However, Raghavan stressed that maintaining this growth trajectory would be challenging. “I think we can agree that things are not like they were 15-20 years ago, things have changed,” Raghavan said, according to audio of the event obtained by CNBC. He was referring to the search industry, which Google has dominated for two decades, emerging as one of the most profitable and valuable companies on the planet along the way.
Raghavan’s message, peppered with sports metaphors and motivational calls, emphasized the need for faster adaptation, as reported by CNBC. He cited increased competition and a more complex regulatory environment as key factors driving this need for agility. While not naming specific competitors, Raghavan alluded to the pressure Google faces from companies like Microsoft in the field of AI.
He emphasized that Google’s trusted reputation remains a key advantage, attracting users who seek reliable information verification.Raghavan outlined concrete changes to address these challenges. He announced plans to establish teams closer to users in crucial markets like India and Brazil, according to CNBC. Additionally, he revealed efforts to accelerate project completion times within his division.
Similar efforts to expedite processes within shorter timeframes are also underway at Google Cloud, despite facing resource constraints due to recent cost-cutting measures.