Jim Lanzone, CEO of Yahoo, discusses his experience in brand rejuvenation, building successful teams, and making tough decisions. He shares insights on growing up in Silicon Valley, his time at Ask.com and Tinder, and becoming the CEO of Yahoo. Lanzone emphasizes the importance of focusing on growth and user goals, rather than worrying about others' opinions. With a passion for people and product, he believes success and financial gains will follow.
Improving user experience, innovating on the search algorithm, and partnering with Google were key strategies in the successful turnaround of Ask Jeeves during the web 1.0 boom.
Seeking results and making an impact, rather than seeking recognition, is a key mindset for leading a brand turnaround.
Building a diverse, ambitious, and cohesive team with domain expertise and high emotional intelligence is crucial for success in a leadership role.
Deep dives
Successful Turnaround of Ask Jeeves
The speaker recounts their experience leading the successful turnaround of Ask Jeeves, a company that had experienced a crash in the web 1.0 era. They highlight the strategies employed, such as improving the user experience, innovating on the search engine's algorithm, and partnering with Google for monetization. Despite initial challenges, the company grew its market share and revenue, eventually being acquired and sold. The speaker reflects on the lessons learned from this experience and the satisfaction of accomplishing a turnaround.
Taking on the CEO Role at Yahoo
The speaker discusses their decision to join Yahoo and take on the CEO role. They highlight the potential they saw in the company, with its large user base, revenue, and opportunity to rejuvenate the brand. They emphasize their focus on achieving results and making an impact rather than seeking recognition or prestige. The speaker acknowledges the support of the private equity firm Apollo, who acquired Yahoo, and emphasizes the positive collaboration and alignment of goals between the company and the investors.
Team Building Philosophy and Hiring Criteria
The speaker shares their team building philosophy and hiring criteria. They believe in building a diverse team that includes a mix of existing team members, new hires, and individuals from their network. They emphasize the importance of domain expertise, emotional intelligence (EQ), natural ambition, and a love for the company's products or industry. The speaker highlights their emphasis on productivity over politics and the value of having a team that is competitive, motivated, and cohesive.
Building a Successful Public Company: From CEO of Ask to Microsoft to Tinder
Jim discusses his journey from being CEO of Ask Jeeves to his time at Microsoft and his experience leading the company through lean times in the Valley. He shares the fulfillment he felt when receiving praise from industry experts like Walt Mossberg. Jim also talks about his decision to start another startup after leaving Ask and his time as CEO of Tinder.
Leading Yahoo: Product, Team Building, and Future Plans
Jim discusses his role as CEO of Yahoo and highlights the importance of product and team building. He shares his vision of making Yahoo the trusted guide in various categories, such as finance, sports, news, and mail. Jim talks about the company's focus on improving the user experience and addressing business needs. He also discusses the possibility of taking the company public again in the future.
Jim Lanzone doesn’t waste time thinking about what other people think of him ... or the companies he has run. After helping to rejuvenate Ask.com in the early 2000s, he has more recently served as CEO of Tinder, and now Yahoo. As an expert in brand turnarounds, he says, “don’t worry about what the world thinks ... worry about your growth versus yourself.” With a focus on people and product, Jim believes, “not only can you accomplish a lot, you’re going to make a lot of money at doing it.”
In this episode, Jim and Joubin discuss being bicoastal, downtown San Francisco, supportive partners, Garret Camp and StumbleUpon, “co-opetition,” Walt Mossberg, Redpoint Ventures, Dave Goldberg, Clicker, taking punches, Apollo Global Management, loyalty to the cause, high-EQ people, and user goals vs. company goals.
