This Week in Startups E990: SurveyMonkey CEO Zander Lurie on driving growth by listening to customers & employees, importance of a strong & diverse board, direct listings v. IPOs, lessons learned from WeWork; plus LAUNCH Scale Partner Talk featuring Yosiat Gimbernard from Odoo
Oct 18, 2019
Zander Lurie, CEO of SurveyMonkey, discusses the impact of customer and employee feedback on growth strategies. He shares insights on corporate governance lessons from WeWork, emphasizing the need for a diverse board. The conversation touches on direct listings versus IPOs and the significance of adapting to the evolving public market. Yosiat Gimbernard from Odoo joins to highlight how integrated business solutions can empower scalability, offering a fresh perspective on the modern business landscape.
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Focus on Fundamentals
- Focus on your business, not the volatile IPO market.
- A strong, diverse board, and good governance are crucial for long-term success.
Building a Strong Board
- Build a board of directors focused on governance and trust.
- Recruit diverse members who challenge you and provide expertise.
WeWork's Downfall
- WeWork's product had market fit, but its valuation was unrealistic.
- Excessive capital and greed can lead to unsustainable business practices.