How-to: Work Together as a Team While you Scale- Jeff Gardner, Robbie O'Connor, Daniel Reilly

TL;DR

Founders discuss challenges and strategies for scaling teams across global offices.

Transcript

oh I don't so far away from you guys hey hello over there and thanks for coming guys this and introduction yella um we're good now so I just like to start this off however you can have approached building your team and what challenges you faced as you've done it yeah absolutely so as Paul ever yellow my name is Robby O'Connor and I lead a mere four... Read More

Key Insights

• 😤 Hiring generalists is beneficial during the early stages of building a team to tackle diverse challenges.
• 👷 The decision between distributed and co-located teams depends on the nature of work and roles within the company.
• 🤗 Maintaining open communication, transparency, and a strong culture are essential for scaling teams globally.
• 😤 Founders need to be intentional, align on the company's mission, and prioritize culture to ensure consistency as the team grows.
• 💦 Remote work tools like Asana and Slack facilitate collaboration across different time zones.
• 😤 Regular off-site meetings can help build deep relationships within a distributed team.
• 😥 Culture should be a focal point, and passing it on to all leaders is crucial for maintaining alignment as the company scales.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Asana and Intercom scale their teams from a few people to over a hundred across different global locations?

Both companies focused on hiring generalists and ensuring all team members were aligned with the company's mission. They also emphasized transparency and culture to maintain cohesiveness.

Q: What are some key factors to consider when deciding between distributed teams and co-located teams?

Consider the nature of the work and the type of roles being hired. For roles requiring close collaboration, co-located teams might be more beneficial. For more independent roles, distributed teams can be effective.

Q: How do companies like Asana and Intercom address time zone challenges in a global team setup?

By structuring work around asynchronous communication, companies can effectively collaborate across multiple time zones. Tools like Asana and Slack facilitate seamless handoffs and communication.

Q: How do founders ensure that company culture remains consistent as the team grows and expands globally?

Founders need to be intentional about their company culture, foster open discussions about it, and ensure alignment among all leaders. Passing on the culture DNA to all levels of leadership is crucial for maintaining consistency.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Founders of Asana and Intercom share insights on building teams across multiple global offices.

• Strategies include hiring generalists, fostering remote work, and prioritizing culture and transparency.

• Discussing the importance of intentionality, equanimity, and keeping culture alive in a fast-growing company.