

Encore: Bill Gates on Advice For Founders, Mistakes, and Philanthropy
Jan 19, 2024
Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, discusses his entrepreneurial journey, work-life balance for founders, his perspective on the current tech landscape, and his views on philanthropy and global development.
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Early Microsoft Competition
- Microsoft's early success involved competing with single-product software companies.
- Gates viewed Microsoft as a platform company, which differentiated it from competitors like Ashton-Tate and Lotus.
Key Early Hires
- Bill Gates highlights the importance of hiring experienced individuals in a growing company.
- He recounts hiring Steve Ballmer for his ability to hire and John Shirley for his corporate experience.
Work-Life Balance
- In his 20s and 30s, Bill Gates prioritized work over weekends and vacations.
- He now admits this is not sustainable and acknowledges the importance of work-life balance.