e-Talks | Escolhendo o Time Certo para sua Empresa - Dave Goldberg [SurveyMonkey]

TL;DR

Dave Goldberg discusses building a motivated and aligned team at SurveyMonkey.

Transcript

um it is the most important thing you do as a ceo in in the survey monkey case i had this very um great opportunity to build a team uh when i started as i said it was you know 14 people nine of whom were customer support so i really had to start um from the beginning and so i got to build a team but i had the financial resources to hire great peopl... Read More

Key Insights

• As a CEO, building the right team is crucial to the company's success. Dave Goldberg emphasizes the importance of hiring talented individuals who share the company's vision.
• Financial resources can aid in attracting top talent, but maintaining motivation and excitement is equally important for long-term success.
• A clear vision and mission are essential for employee engagement. Goldberg stresses the importance of defining what the company will and will not do.
• Maintaining a startup culture, even as the company grows, is vital. SurveyMonkey avoids formal offices and cubicles, promoting an open and informal work environment.
• Limiting the number of scheduled meetings allows for more direct communication and helps maintain a startup mentality.
• SurveyMonkey aims to keep its workforce lean to enable quick decision-making, despite having the resources to hire more staff.
• The balance between a startup-like environment and being a stable, profitable company attracts and retains employees.
• Employees are motivated by the company's vision of helping people make better decisions, aligning personal and company goals.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the most important task for a CEO according to Dave Goldberg?

According to Dave Goldberg, the most important task for a CEO is building the right team. He believes that hiring talented individuals who are motivated and share the company's vision is crucial for success. This involves not only attracting top talent but also maintaining their motivation and excitement over time.

Q: How does SurveyMonkey maintain a startup culture?

SurveyMonkey maintains a startup culture by fostering an open and informal work environment. The company avoids formal offices and cubicles, opting for open desks to encourage interaction. Additionally, they limit the number of scheduled meetings, allowing for direct communication and quick decision-making, which helps preserve the startup mentality.

Q: Why does SurveyMonkey choose to keep a lean workforce?

SurveyMonkey chooses to keep a lean workforce to enable quick decision-making and maintain a startup-like environment. Despite having the financial resources to hire more staff, they prioritize agility and efficiency, allowing them to respond swiftly to changes and opportunities while keeping employees engaged and motivated.

Q: What attracts employees to SurveyMonkey?

Employees are attracted to SurveyMonkey by the company's clear vision and mission, which focuses on helping people make better decisions. The balance between a startup-like environment and financial stability, along with the opportunity to work in an open and informal setting, also appeals to potential employees.

Q: How does Dave Goldberg view the role of vision and mission in a company?

Dave Goldberg views the role of vision and mission as essential for employee engagement and company success. He believes that a clear vision helps align personal and company goals, motivating employees to contribute effectively. Additionally, defining what the company will not do helps maintain focus and avoid distractions.

Q: What is the significance of limiting scheduled meetings at SurveyMonkey?

Limiting scheduled meetings at SurveyMonkey is significant because it allows for more direct communication and helps maintain a startup mentality. By reducing the time spent in formal meetings, employees, including Goldberg, can engage more with each other, fostering collaboration and responsiveness within the company.

Q: How does SurveyMonkey's work environment contribute to employee satisfaction?

SurveyMonkey's work environment contributes to employee satisfaction by promoting openness and interaction. The lack of formal offices and cubicles encourages communication, while the minimal scheduled meetings allow for more flexibility and responsiveness. This environment, combined with financial stability, attracts and retains motivated employees.

Q: What challenges did Dave Goldberg face when building his team at SurveyMonkey?

Dave Goldberg faced the challenge of building a team from scratch with only 14 initial members, nine of whom were in customer support. Although he had financial resources to attract talent, he needed to ensure that new hires were motivated by the company's vision and aligned with its mission to maintain long-term success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dave Goldberg, CEO of SurveyMonkey, highlights the importance of building a team that is motivated and aligned with the company's vision. He discusses the challenges and strategies of maintaining a startup culture while growing the company.

• Goldberg emphasizes the significance of defining a clear vision and mission to engage employees. He shares insights on maintaining a lean workforce and avoiding distractions by focusing on core objectives.

• SurveyMonkey's informal work environment, characterized by open communication and minimal formal meetings, helps preserve a startup mentality. This approach, combined with financial stability, attracts top talent and fosters employee satisfaction.