Lessons - How to Hire A+ Talent (When It’s Hyper Competitive) | Ian Tien - CEO & Co-Founder of Mattermost

Sep 18, 2024

Ian Tien, CEO and Co-Founder of Mattermost, shares insights on hiring in a competitive tech landscape and the power of open-source software. He emphasizes the security advantages of open-source, allowing rapid vulnerability fixes through community collaboration. Ian highlights the importance of customer feedback in product development, stating that constant engagement is key to success. He reveals that 56% of their hires come from referrals, focusing on candidates motivated by impact and personal growth rather than just financial rewards.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

The Security Advantages of Open Source Software

02:55 • 5min

Navigating the SaaS Market: Engaging Customers for Success

07:53 • 3min

Attracting Top Talent Beyond Pay

11:12 • 6min

Effective Strategies for Hiring Top Talent

16:51 • 3min

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In this "Lessons" episode, Ian Tien, CEO & Co-Founder of Mattermost, joins Scott to discuss the power of open-source software, security considerations, and scaling a tech company. Ian delves into the challenges and benefits of building secure systems, the importance of customer feedback, and his approach to hiring top talent.

Security in Open Source: Ian explains that open-source software offers transparency, enabling customers to collaborate on security actively. While no software is fully secure, open source allows vulnerabilities to be addressed rapidly through a community-driven approach.

Customer-Centric Development: Mattermost’s success came from constant communication with customers. Ian emphasizes a simple YC principle: "Talk to customers, build products, and stay healthy." This relentless focus on customer needs helped them land large enterprise clients, including the US Air Force.

Scaling a Team: 56% of Mattermost's hires come from referrals, highlighting a strong internal culture. Ian believes the best hires are motivated by impact, personal growth, and connection, not just financial rewards. Mattermost also sources talent from its open-source community, hiring contributors who demonstrate passion and skill through their work on the platform.

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