AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
The founders of Laddis, Logan Bartlett and Eric Coslow, previously worked at Teespring, an e-commerce company that experienced viral growth. They noticed cultural gaps at Teespring and wanted to address them. Initially, they didn't know that Laddis would become an HR software company.
After launching an OKR tool, Bartlett and Coslow realized that it wasn't gaining traction and wouldn't lead to significant business growth. However, they had built strong relationships with HR leaders who expressed a need for performance reviews. They pivoted to focus on performance reviews and began offering annual contracts on design mockups.
When Laddis attempted to raise a Series B round in 2018, they faced challenges due to being an HR software company, focused on a niche area, and having a single product offering. Investors were not convinced of the business potential. Laddis eventually secured a bridge round from existing investors to continue operations.
The launch of Laddis' employee engagement survey product proved to be a game changer. It immediately resonated with customers, resulting in increased revenue and inbound leads. The product's success solidified Laddis' position as an HR software provider and laid the foundation for future growth.
The speaker reflects on the fundraising process and shares some key insights. They mention that waiting for the right moment to fundraise can lead to better outcomes, and emphasize the importance of setting clear boundaries during fundraising conversations. Additionally, they discuss the need to be deliberate and prepared when engaging with potential investors, instead of engaging in casual, unprepared discussions. Overall, the speaker highlights the importance of being strategic and intentional throughout the fundraising process.
The podcast episode introduces the concept of HRIS (HR Information System), which is an essential database that stores employee information within a company. The speaker explains that HRIS serves as a central system of record for employee data, including details such as employee records, salaries, managers, and other relevant information. They also discuss the ability to perform tasks such as onboarding, offboarding, document storage, and workflows within an HRIS. The speaker highlights that building an HRIS was a natural extension for their company, given their existing data and information on employees, and the belief in providing comprehensive solutions for customers in the HR space.
The speaker shares their perspective on personal and professional relationships, discussing how they navigate and value connections with others. They mention the importance of supporting and empowering friends and colleagues who venture into new opportunities, even if it means leaving a current role or firm. The speaker also acknowledges the unique challenges and transitions that come with growth and change. They express pride and admiration for individuals who pursue ambitious goals and create meaningful impact in their respective fields. Additionally, they reflect on their own journey in the tech industry and the importance of maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship with peers.
Jack Altman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lattice, a $3 billion HR software company. In the episode, we delve into culture and performance management, hiring best practices, and the journey that led to both Jack and Sam Altman becoming thoughtful entrepreneurial leaders.
Jack also shares insights on maximizing employee performance, fostering work-life balance for himself and his team at Lattice, and the importance of separating "fundraising mode" from other business activities for founders. Overall, a thought-provoking discussion that offers valuable perspectives on leadership and business growth.
(0:00) Intro
(0:39) Doing venture capital and launching a podcast
(6:30) How does culture get created within a company?
(10:14) Is a company more of a sports team or a family?
(11:42) No 100 hour work weeks
(16:13) Employee retention
(24:19) What you want to know when hiring
(30:06) Advantages startups have over big companies
(37:20) What should all founders know about letting people go?
(45:55) Finding product market fit
(54:22) Building relationships with VCs
(1:01:00) Hating software acquisitions
(1:07:46) Sam Altman, brother of the HR software guy
(1:09:43) Thoughts on AI and its future
(1:13:08) Saying the same thing over and over again in leadership
(1:20:06) Thoughts on San Francisco
(1:21:31) Logan Bartlett: VC, podcaster, meme king
(1:25:49) What are you investing in now?
Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky
Produced: Rashad Assir
Executive Producer: Josh Machiz
Music: Griff Lawson
🎙 Listen to the show
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg
🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1
Follow on Socials
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow
🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow
🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow
About the Show
Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.
Executive Producer: Rashad Assir
Producer: Leah Clapper
Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky
Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA
🎙 Listen to the show
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg
🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1
Follow on Socials
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow
🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow
🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow
About the Show
Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode