a16z Podcast

Cyber attacks are growing in number and impact, and the reason is simple: there's more of value (and more vectors to) steal in our increasingly virtual world. So how are we to continue to move forward along this connected path as a culture and as businesses? Marc Andreessen tackles that question in this segment of the a16z Podcast -- against the backdrop of ever-more sophisticated hackers and hacks, Edward Snowden, and the rise of trillions more devices coming online. Still, despite the real risk and pain of cyber attacks we won't go backwards -- we have no choice but to move forward, says Andreessen. "The reason we don’t have a choice is there’s too much value in the virtual world." Smartphones, the internet; pick your favorite device, app, or service... ask yourself what (if anything) you would be willing to give up. Not much, right? The views expressed here are those of the individual AH Capital Management, L.L.C. (“a16z”) personnel quoted and are not the views of a16z or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources, including from portfolio companies of funds managed by a16z. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, a16z has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investors or prospective investors, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by a16z. (An offering to invest in an a16z fund will be made only by the private placement memorandum, subscription agreement, and other relevant documentation of any such fund and should be read in their entirety.) Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by a16z, and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. A list of investments made by funds managed by Andreessen Horowitz (excluding investments and certain publicly traded cryptocurrencies/ digital assets for which the issuer has not provided permission for a16z to disclose publicly) is available at https://a16z.com/investments/. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see https://a16z.com/disclosures for additional important information.

Join Bill Krause, former Chairman and CEO of 3Com, Aaron Levie, CEO and co-founder of Box, Spencer Rascoff, Co-founder and CEO of Zillow, and Dan Warmenhoven, former CEO of NetApp, as they share invaluable board leadership insights. They discuss the importance of diversity on early-stage boards, emphasizing the balance between VCs and CEOs. The conversation dives into the necessity of transparent board meetings, strategic communication, and ongoing relationships, ensuring boards effectively guide companies toward growth and preparation for IPO.

Dawn Lepore, former Chair and CEO of Drugstore.com, Amy Bohutinsky, CMO of Zillow Group, and Michelle Wilson, ex-SVP at Amazon, dive into the nuances of corporate board roles. They discuss the motivations behind joining boards, highlighting personal growth and diverse skill sets. The trio contrasts public versus private governance, sharing insights on the evolving responsibilities of board members. They also tackle the challenges of balancing board commitments with demanding careers, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and relationship-building.

Diane Greene, VMware co-founder and former CEO, shares her wisdom on board dynamics at Google and Intuit. She emphasizes that directors should ask questions instead of defining strategy. Effective communication and consistency are vital in solving issues. Greene also discusses the unique challenges of board membership in startups versus larger companies, highlighting the importance of hands-on involvement and preparing for honest discussions. Discover golden rules for navigating board relationships and the role of audit committees in risk management.

Shellye Archambeau, CEO of MetricStream and board member at Nordstrom and Verizon, collaborates with Gerri Elliott, a board member of Whirlpool and former Chief Customer Officer at Juniper Networks, to discuss their journeys and insights on corporate boards. They explore strategies for diversifying board memberships and emphasize the importance of mentorship and networking. The duo highlights navigating the challenges of board compositions, the significance of value propositions, and the transformative role board members can play in driving company success.

In this discussion, Benedict Evans, a Venture Partner at Andreessen Horowitz known for his sharp insights on technology trends, dives into the cultural shift represented by the Apple Watch. He explores how technology has evolved from mere functionality to fulfilling emotional desires. The conversation highlights the luxury implications of Apple's golden variant, its impact on consumer perceptions, and the balance between aesthetics and daily convenience. Evans emphasizes that modern devices prioritize delight, transforming everyday technology into personal expressions of style.

Chris Wanstrath, Co-founder and CEO of GitHub, shares how customer feedback transformed their initial skepticism of sales into a strategic embrace of it. Alongside Peter Levine, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, they discuss the misconception that sales is just about fast-talkers, paralleling effective salespeople with good teachers. They also explore the importance of bridging the gap between developers and decision-makers, and how a collaborative sales team can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and revenue.

Daniel Shapero, who built LinkedIn's enterprise sales team and now focuses on job search products, shares invaluable insights on sales strategies. He discusses the critical role of personal connections in conveying product value and effective hiring for sales teams. Shapero also highlights the challenges of managing performance, balancing accountability and support, and the nuances of sales hiring and forecasting. He emphasizes the importance of performance-based compensation and the transition from sales to product management, advocating for empathy and adaptability.

Online marketplaces are outpacing traditional e-commerce, driven by social and mobile tech. The discussion illuminates how platforms like Airbnb have built trust and community. Navigating marketplace dynamics involves balancing buyer attraction with seller retention. Trust-building measures, from user verification to reputation systems, are essential. The evolution of mobile marketplaces enhances product discovery. Innovative approaches are especially crucial in sectors like used cars, where user-centric design can drive success.

Stewart Butterfield, co-founder and CEO of Slack, shares insights on revolutionizing team communication, highlighting Slack's origins from an internal tool to a widely adopted platform. Benedict Evans, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins to explore how mobile technology reshapes workplace tools. They discuss the evolution of collaboration software, the shift from traditional email systems to cloud solutions, and the importance of integrating efficient productivity tools to enhance team dynamics and reduce unnecessary meetings.