In spite of some recent black eyes in the Don't Be Evil department, the unique Google ethic is still a powerful draw. Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, formerly a Microsoft executive and engineer, was recently hired by Google. Microsoft sued to prevent Google from hiring Dr. Lee, and the case is pending.

Did Dr. Lee leave Microsoft for the wealth and fame of working at Google? That's probably part of it. But in Lee's own words, this is why he left:

Microsoft is an outstanding company, and there are many things we can learn from it. But Google is a company that makes feel a shock. The reason Google gives me a shock is the passion for creating a new generation of technology. I found treasures in Google everywhere. The technology and products are way beyond just the search.

And here's Lee's bottom line:

Youth + Freedom + Transparency + New Model + the General Public’s Benefit + Belief in Trust = The Miracle of Google

Google isn't being altruistic when it adheres to higher principles. Google's Don't Be Evil culture is providing a competitive advantage.

(Source: ZDNet via Battelle.)