What is more ubiquitous than Google? Because of this, I declare today the first day of MGAWOC: Make Google a Worker-owned Co-operative. Below are 10 co-operative initiatives to inspire a Google worker-owned co-operative. And they happen to be Google’s company philosophy (slightly modified here). Google lists them at What We Believe.

1. Focus on the user and all else will follow.
No one knows Google users better than the employees at Google. And who better to know how to focus on users than the employees. But let’s make the employees owners of the company! Then as worker-owners they can vote, and democratically drive what’s best for users.

2. It’s best to do one thing really, really well.
With an ownership stake in Google, the worker-owners will choose the best direction to do really, really well. In fact with solid democratic governance, there might be no better way to decide what Google does really, really well than a worker-owned co-op.

3. Fast is Better than Slow.
Indeed, don’t let innovation be delayed. Especially given that effective focus has been decided in the two preceding beliefs. Innovative solutions are needed for the society and environment creating urgency for many, if not all, Google users.

4. Democracy on the web works.
And in organizations, too. Democracy at Google can have a significant impact on whether democracy works on the web.

5. You don’t need to be at your desk to need an answer.
Desks have little to do with the number of users that need an answer to, say, income inequality.

6. You can make money without doing evil.
This can be determined by those building the products and services: the workers. Worker-owners, with proper governance in place, have the best chance of guiding the company away from what might be evil.

7. There’s always more information out there.
Very true, and worker-owners can influence, by vote, the use and privacy concerning information on Google users.

8. The need for information crosses all borders.
Exactly. Inequality is not acceptable, and freedom of information is critical for all nations.

9. You can be serious without a suit [a suit you wear].
Attire does not define ability. So true. A flatter hierarchy puts much less emphasis on status.

10. Great just isn’t good enough.
Greatness doesn’t exclude Google users. As long as some users might be struggling, especially as a consequence of externalizing costs by those that are great, then what does being great accomplish? Co-owners see beyond greatness to co-operation.

Spread the news! MGAWOC forever.