
Tobi Lütke on Creating Shopify for Americans as a German in Canada
Conversations with Tyler
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Craftsmanship vs. Quick Iteration
Cultural differences shape attitudes toward product development and iteration. European cultures tend to emphasize high-quality craftsmanship and perfection in products, often leading to longer development cycles. In contrast, North American cultures prefer rapid iteration, accepting initial versions that may not be perfect, but valuing speed and adaptability. This leads to debates in meetings about whether to perfect a product before shipping or to release quickly and improve over time. Canadians, in particular, demonstrate a focus on long-term planning and a more cautious ambition compared to their American counterparts, who are often more assertive in their pursuit of immediate goals.
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