Larry Page makes his mark with Google restructuring

Google co-founder Larry Page has used his first week as chief executive to begin a reorganisation at the web firm.

Page took charge of Google on Monday, and it was expected that one of his top priorities would be to create clearer lines of accountability across the company.

Google has confirmed that these changes have taken place, but has declined to give more details, except that there will be one person managing each functional group in order to streamline the company's product and engineering structures.

Page sent a memo to Google employees last Friday, leaked to Business Insider, informing staff that 25 per cent of their bonuses would be based on how well Google performs in social media.

A V3.co.uk poll reveals that a third of our readers believe that Page's top priority should be to focus on innovative projects. Meanwhile, four per cent believe that his priority should be to create a viable social networking strategy.

Ovum analyst Mike Davis suggested that it was to be expected that Page's first moves would be to streamline and focus on social media and innovation.

"Larry was put in charge as the board was afraid of the company going stale," he said. "Last year Google got a wake-up call when Facebook overtook it in terms of unique users signing on in the US."

Davis added that a Google streamlining would boost the firm's appeal to enterprise customers.