Larry Page takes charge at Google

GOOGLE CO-FOUNDER Larry Page has taken over as CEO at the firm, assuming the role vacated by Eric Schmidt.

When Schmidt announced his departure in late January, he revealed that his soon to be former seat would be warmed in the near to long term by Page, and welcomed the internal promotion.

"Larry will now lead product development and technology strategy, his greatest strengths, and starting from April 4 he will take charge of our day-to-day operations as Google's Chief Executive Officer. In this new role I know he will merge Google's technology and business vision brilliantly," he said.

"I am enormously proud of my last decade as CEO, and I am certain that the next 10 years under Larry will be even better! Larry, in my clear opinion, is ready to lead."

Sergey Brin, who co-founded the firm with Page, will spend his time and energy on strategic projects and new releases, according to Schmidt. "He's an innovator and entrepreneur to the core, and this role suits him perfectly," Schmidt said.

So, if Brin is carrying out work on future releases, what does that leave on Page's Google Calendar? "Development and technology strategy" is not far removed from strategic projects and releases and it is unlikely that after a decade of working as equals that Brin will look to Page for any development nods of approval. So it's possible that the two will work together to figure out what is not worthy of support, rather than what is.

One 'to-do' file likely to land on Page's desk will involve the public perception of Google, which has been rattled by controversial product launches and negative attention from regulators and lawmakers.

The last twelve months saw it fall under the spotlight of data watchdogs for the launch of its Buzz social notworking software and for the data harvesting that was done by its photo cars for building up its Streetview application.

That's not to mention the fact that Microsoft, aided by the considerable weight of its legal team, is asking European regulators to investigate the alleged anti-competitive nature of Google's search engine.

In fact, you would be hard pressed to find an area of Google's business that does not court controversy. From its 'Don't be evil' motto, which people often take exception to, up to its book digitalisation plans and the contents of its Android operating system, Google has attracted controversy.

So, the years ahead look to be full of meetings for Page. Meetings with Brin and with Schmidt and with both of them, and meetings with regulators, lawyers and European Commissioners.

This attention is perhaps to be expected though, especially for a company doing so much, and Google is a constant innovator. It is well known that employees are encouraged to spend their work time on vague products that often become new features of existing applications, or applications on their own right, and this culture of invention has created a firm with feet in many camps.

Perhaps Page, who is known as something of a philanthropist, will choose to cut back on the amount of development at Google and direct that only those projects deemed to have enough merit will be supported going forwards.

Doing less with, and for, more, could help the Internet giant to further refine the areas in which it already has successes - in its consumer and enterprise applications, advertising, and Youtube, for example - and steer clear of projects that muddy its waters.

The three headed leadership beast that was Schmidt, Page and Brin might have led to confusion in decision making, clouded the firm's judgement when it came to how to innovate and could have contributed to the Buzz privacy debacle, for just one example.

Having one chief, with accountability for all top line decisions might help it clear its path and its roadmap going forward. µ