Illustration posted by Eric Schmidt shows how Google thinks about innovation

By Lisa Eadicicco

Google is one of the largest, most influential technology companies in the world. But it didn't start out that way, and it's not easy to maintain that status. Google Executive Chairman and former CEO Eric Schmidt has shared some insight as to how Google views innovation and the competition.

Schmidt and Google's former SVP of Products Jonathan Rosenberg are publishing a book next month called "How Google Works." The book dives into what Schmidt and Rosenberg learned as they helped build Google into what it is today.

Schmidt has been teasing the book by posting excerpts of illustrations and various tips from the book to his Google+ and Twitter page. His latest post emphasizes that tackling the market with different angles rather than simply trying to be better than your rival is crucial for success.

"It's important to understand what's going on around you, but the best way to stay ahead is a laser focus on building great products that people need," Schmidt posted to Google+ along with the illustration.