They are famous names that we see in front of us every day. Like Apple, Google or Facebook. Most of them were created in a student apartment or a garage and managed to reach the top. But what is it like to work for one of these giants?
There is a Greek who is in such a position. It is Steve Vranakis. Who is currently the director of Google. He was born in Canada, to Greek immigrants.
In the interview he gives to HuffPost Greece, he talks about what it's like to work for a "tech giant", what advice he would give to young people living in crisis-ridden Greece, and he also answers the question of whether a company like Google could grow in our country.
Let's start from the beginning. What's left in your mind from that first day at Google?
Google is a great place to work. The best I've ever worked at. There were a lot of things that impressed me. You see engineers working together with designers. They're bringing big ideas to life that can change the world. At this company, you see science meet imagination.
You see people creating some of the most ambitious and daring projects.
How did the position at this world-famous company come about?
As soon as I learned about the specific position, I immediately sent my resume, along with work samples. In the past, I had already worked in the fields of design, advertising and digital technology, for about 20 years. During these years, I was lucky enough to win a series of awards, which highlighted my work even more.
I had also participated in the launch of some very important technological products such as: the iPhone in the UK, Amazon.co.uk, O2 and Coke Zero.
Steve Vranakis
What exactly is your role at Google?
In a nutshell, my job is to innovate on the promotion of the company's core projects. Like the well-known search engine, Android, Chrome, or YouTube.
To talk about these projects, in an interesting way, to each audience. At the same time, I try to analyze with the companies that use our products, how they can use them in even more innovative ways, helping their own customers.
Could a giant company like Google grow in Greece?
Google was "born" in a garage in America with very little money, but very big ambitions from its creators. I think if the right people work together, with the goal of creating something that will change the world, then it can happen anywhere.
What we need to do in Greece is to instill the right culture in entrepreneurs. Also, the general environment should reward innovation and there should be no fear of failure. All of these elements, if implemented, will keep talent within the country.
What is your opinion on everything that has been happening in crisis-ridden Greece in recent years?
I may have grown up in Vancouver, Canada, but I come from Sfakia, Crete. So I fully understand the difficulties that Greeks are going through. Unemployment is high and morale is low. We Greeks in the diaspora are trying to help in any way we can.
Personally, I act as a mentor to many young Greek entrepreneurs who have created a startup. So that I can help them get started. I believe that new technologies can help develop the economy.
Young people in Greece have many fresh ideas in the field of technology and entrepreneurship, and some of them have already attracted attention on a global level.
In a previous interview, you stated that Crete, where you come from, could become a new Silicon Valley. How can this become a reality?
Crete is home to some of the best Universities and Schools in Europe. The Foundation for Technology and Research has been active in Crete in subjects such as robotics, lasers, biotechnology and PC technology since 1983. We have a rich heritage in the field of technology.
It is of course necessary to create the right environment so that there is a push towards innovation. The talent that exists in Greece must be utilized.
What advice would you give to young people living in Greece?
I am a big fan of technology and the economy related to digital media. These have changed my life. So I believe that young people in Greece should take advantage of new technologies and create innovative businesses through which they will export many of the excellent Greek products around the world. To make an “opening” with their startups to international markets. At the same time, to take advantage of the available scientists and engineers who still live in Greece.
Google is trying to act as a source of inspiration for the new generation by uploading some of the most famous Greek museums, such as the Acropolis, to the Google Art Project on YouTube. There is also the Monastery of Patmos. Something similar is happening through the well-known Street View tool.
I believe that Greece has many talented people with big dreams and ideas. People who want to "write history.".
