Decoder with Nilay Patel Notion's CEO wants you to demand better from your tools
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Aug 11, 2025 
Ivan Zhao, cofounder and CEO of Notion, shares insights into his philosophy of productivity and the transformative journey of Notion. He likens Notion to the 'Lego of productivity tools,' emphasizing its versatility and user-friendly design. The conversation dives into the impact of AI on software, particularly how it enhances onboarding and streamlines workflows. Zhao also discusses the future of work and education, highlighting the need for innovation over mere employee numbers. Discover how Notion plans to evolve in the AI-driven landscape!
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Lego Blocks Replace Point Tools
- Notion bundles many narrow SaaS tools into Lego-like building blocks.
- Teams assemble those bricks to create tailored workflows and reduce tool switching.
Computing Should Be Malleable
- Early computing pioneers designed software to be malleable and tinkorable.
- Ivan Zhao draws on that ethos to make Notion a creative, customizable medium.
Solve Fragmentation Not With More Apps
- SaaS fragmentation forces people to juggle dozens of narrow apps each day.
- Notion aims to consolidate core workflows into a single, flexible platform to reduce friction.