Season 1 - #15 Tom Uebel - Founder, CommandE, Having a Customer Led Business

In today’s episode, we speak with Tom Huebel, the co-founder and CEO of Command E. Tom and his team are on a mission to make accessing the information and tools you need at work as simple as a keystroke. We discuss the genesis of Command E, how they’ve tackled the challenges of breaking into the crowded productivity space, and the ways they've turned user feedback into product strength.

What We Cover:

• Command E’s Journey: Tom shares the origin of Command E, from early frustrations with navigating cloud tools to building a product that cuts down on friction and increases productivity. Command E lets users search for and access files, records, and emails from multiple tools instantly.
• Navigating the Productivity App Landscape: The productivity space is full of competitors, but Command E stands out with its straightforward and intuitive value proposition: "Type what you need, and you're there." Tom explains why clarity of function is key to resonating with users.
• The Importance of Customer Feedback: Tom stresses the power of showing customers they are heard. Command E’s approach? Ask for feedback, respond quickly, and close the loop when the product improves based on user suggestions.

Episode Highlights:

• 3:00: "We realized everyone was struggling with too many tools, and there needed to be a layer to tie it all together. That's where Command E comes in."
• 6:45: "People have so much noise today; if your product can't be understood in 15 seconds, you're losing them."
• 9:00: On customer feedback: "Closing the loop with users builds trust. If they suggested something and we ship it, they know we’re listening and that we value them."

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Introduction to Tom Huebel and Command E
• 2:30 - The inspiration behind building Command E
• 5:00 - Creating a standout product in a crowded productivity space
• 8:00 - Organic growth and expanding the user base
• 10:30 - Collecting feedback and closing the loop with customers
• 14:00 - Navigating product launches and fundraising during the pandemic
• 17:00 - The future of productivity and the personalized workspace

Takeaway: Command E is built on the idea that productivity tools should simplify, not complicate. By listening closely to customer needs and focusing on frictionless experiences, Tom and his team have created a product that seamlessly fits into any workflow. The future of work is personal, flexible, and driven by the need to reduce distractions and get things done faster.