Masters of Scale Always be recruiting, w/Paul English, co-founder of Kayak
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Jan 18, 2022 Paul English, co-founder of travel search platform Kayak, shares his passion for recruiting in this engaging discussion. He emphasizes that continuous recruitment is vital for scaling businesses and shaping company culture. English recounts inspiring stories that connect personal growth, like rowing in underserved communities, to proactive talent acquisition. He also introduces innovative strategies for hiring, such as a seven-day offer deadline, underlining the importance of the first hires in a startup's journey. Leadership through vulnerability and employee appreciation are key themes.
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Early Collaboration and First Entrepreneurial Venture
- Paul English's early passion for programming led him to collaborate with his brother, Ed, a gaming celebrity known for Frogger.
- This collaboration resulted in Paul's first entrepreneurial venture, selling a game called Cupid, showcasing the power of recruiting within one's network.
Expand Your Network
- Recruit from your immediate circle initially, but prioritize expanding and diversifying your professional network as soon as possible.
- This prevents monoculture and brings in fresh perspectives.
First Hires as Cultural Co-Founders
- The first 10 hires set the cultural foundation of a company, impacting future growth and direction.
- They are cultural co-founders, shaping what the company does and becomes.