The hosts discuss explosive growth in the software industry, challenges of demand generation, and the effectiveness of ecosystem-led growth. They also explore the delicate balance of home and work life, the importance of empathy in leadership, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They criticize fake reviews on G2 and discuss the significance of personal happiness. The chapter ends with light-hearted moments and discussions on building a company, ice pods, Slack consulting, and the Republican party.
The software industry has experienced explosive growth, with the number of software companies on G2 increasing from less than 50,000 in Q3 2018 to 125,000 in Q2 2023, indicating a growth rate of 7% per quarter.
Generating demand in the software industry has become more challenging, with the need for 1,000 to 1,400 touchpoints to activate an opportunity, compared to 400 touchpoints in the past.
Ecosystem-led growth is gaining traction as a strategy to generate demand, with data showing that deals sourced from ecosystems are more likely to close and less likely to churn.
Deep dives
Growing number of software companies on G2
The G2 quarterly state of software report reveals that the number of software companies on G2 has grown significantly. In Q3 2018, there were less than 50,000 software companies on G2, but as of Q2 2023, there are now 125,000 companies. This shows that the sector is growing at a rate of 7% per quarter. However, with the increase in software companies, there is also a rise in competition and noise, making it more difficult to stand out and generate demand.
The challenge of demand creation in a competitive market
Demand creation has become increasingly challenging due to the high competition in the market. Jeremy Donovan's research reveals that it now takes around 1,000 to 1,400 touchpoints to activate an opportunity, compared to 400 touchpoints several years ago. The abundance of software companies and the need to stand out amid the noise pose challenges in generating demand. With higher demand generation efforts required and the difficulty in generating demand due to higher interest rates, companies are now exploring ecosystem-led growth as a strategy to source deals more effectively.
The effectiveness of ecosystem-led growth
Ecosystem-led growth is gaining traction as a channel to generate demand. Crossbeam, a leader in the space, has presented data showing that deals sourced from ecosystem-led growth are 53% more likely to close and 58% less likely to churn. Such significant improvements in deal closure and retention rates can have a tangible impact on a business's performance and success. While there may be differing opinions on the overall effectiveness of ecosystem-led growth, it is increasingly considered as a valuable avenue for generating demand and driving business growth.
The counterpoint to ecosystem-led growth
Jason Lemkin offers a counterpoint to the idea of ecosystem-led growth, emphasizing the importance of attach rates. He shared an example where a conversation with a potential partner highlighted the challenges with generating substantial revenue through partnerships. This perspective suggests that the potential returns from partnering may be limited, especially if the attach rates are low. Lemkin's viewpoint sparks a debate about the effectiveness and value of ecosystem-led growth, as it may depend on individual circumstances and product-market fit.
Navigating the challenges of being a founder or CEO
The CEO of NVIDIA recently stated that, knowing what he knows now, he would not choose to become a CEO again due to the high level of difficulty and painful experiences associated with building a company. This statement has triggered a broader conversation about the challenges and trade-offs that founders and CEOs face. While some may sympathize with this perspective, many founders and CEOs, including the participants in the podcast, still express a willingness to repeat the journey of building a company despite the hardships. The decision to embark on this path often depends on individual motivations, experiences, and the recognition of the potential rewards.
In this episode, the hosts dissect the explosive growth in the software industry, as revealed by the G2 Quarterly State of Software report. With under 50K software companies existing in Q3 2018 to around 125K today, the challenge of demand generation is intensified by today's economic climate. We also explore the effectiveness of ecosystem-led growth while fighting to generate demand. Then, we delve into the delicate balance of home and work life and the importance of being an empathetic leader while maintaining professionalism, concluding a discussion on Nvidia CEO's candid reflection on the challenges of entrepreneurship. Want more TOPLINE? Read the recaps.
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