Crucible Moments ServiceNow ft. Frank Slootman and Fred Luddy - From Starting Over at 50 to Dodging a $150B Mistake
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Aug 29, 2024 
Frank Slootman, the former CEO of ServiceNow, and company founder Fred Luddy share their compelling journey of resilience and innovation in tech. Luddy, who started over at 50 after a bankruptcy, discusses his vision for a cloud-based IT platform that transformed into a $150B enterprise. Slootman reveals the early challenges of scaling and the fear of checking emails during high-pressure times. The two recount the risky decision-making process that nearly led to a costly misstep in selling the company, ultimately emphasizing the importance of a long-term strategy.
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Finding Product-Market Fit
- ServiceNow initially struggled with product-market fit due to its general-purpose nature.
- It pivoted to focus on IT help desk replacement, leveraging Fred Luddy's expertise.
Finding a CEO
- Fred Luddy realized he lacked the skills and desire to be CEO, leading to a search for a new leader.
- Sequoia Capital played a key role in this search, ultimately leading to Frank Slootman.
Slootman's Early Challenges
- Frank Slootman's early days as CEO were marked by clashes with Fred Luddy and infrastructure issues.
- Slootman's direct style and focus on execution were crucial for stabilizing the company.