On Thursday, Feb. 4, Jonathan Rosenberg, former senior VP of products at Google, delivered a fast-paced synopsis of his book “How Google Works,” co-authored with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Google’s secrets to innovation (paraphrased in my frantically scrawled notes) are provided below. I recommend you read the book. Or stay tuned for a video interview with Rosenberg produced by our colleagues at the School of Engineering – coming to WashU websites soon.

• Focus on small teams, minimize “hippos” (highest paid person’s opinion). You’re looking for smart creatives who have the business savvy and persistence to produce in a fast-paced environment.
• Exile knaves and fight for divas. When someone reveals themselves as a bad egg, believe them.
• Focus on technical insights that make products better. Strategies can be just a bunch of words.
• When you hire, be personally engaged and look for passion.
• Companies have lots of data. Start discussions by sharing information, not opinions.
• Set aggressive goals. If you make goals that you’re pretty sure you’ll reach, then you fail by virtue of small thinking.

Rosenberg is the parent of a WashU engineering student. He spoke to a standing-room-only audience of students and alumni in Emerson Auditorium, Knight Hall.

View full lecture below: