Tech Disruptors Smartsheet CEO on AI Redefining Work Management
Jul 24, 2025
Mark Mader, the President and CEO of Smartsheet, shares insights on AI’s transformative impact on work management. He discusses the shift from traditional seat-based pricing to more flexible models, emphasizing the need for companies to adapt. Mader highlights the importance of M&A and differentiating specialized AI solutions to avoid commoditization. The conversation also delves into the advantages of becoming privately owned, allowing for strategic long-term investments. Finally, they explore how AI is revolutionizing productivity and decision-making across industries.
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Mission Focus on Median Users
- Smartsheet's mission focuses on enabling anyone in an organization to make progress and drive meaningful change.
- The company targets the median professional, building a broad market beyond elite users.
Private Ownership Enables Agility
- Private ownership allows Smartsheet to move with high decision velocity and make longer-term investments.
- Having fewer investors enables faster, crisper decision-making and choice expansion.
AI Shines in Familiar Contexts
- AI enhancement in familiar tools accelerates adoption by demonstrating speed and accuracy.
- Showing AI working 10x faster in known contexts builds user trust and advocacy.
