Phil Libin, CEO of All Turtles and co-founder of Evernote, discusses the importance of working with a diverse range of people rather than just those you like. He emphasizes the value of effectiveness in colleagues over personal preferences. Phil also outlines his methodology for developing new products, which involves observing his own actions and those of his target audience to identify opportunities for improvement. He believes that improving communication is crucial, especially in today's world where remote work is prevalent. He describes a communication pyramid, with in-person interactions at the top, live video in the middle, and recorded video at the base. Finally, he emphasizes the role of luck in success, the significance of working on a mission-driven project, and the importance of ensuring that everyone in the company understands their impact on the mission.
1. The speaker, Phil Libben, is a co-founder and CEO of All Turtles, a company known for Evernote. He is a fifth-time startup founder .
2. Libben emphasizes the importance of working with diverse people, not just those he likes personally, to avoid bias and create a more inclusive company environment .
3. He values efficiency and effectiveness in hiring, stating that he would rather work with people who are effective at their jobs regardless of whether he personally likes them .
4. Libben has a methodology for creating new products that involves observing his own activities and those of his target market for two weeks each .
5. He started the Zoom alternative All Turtles as a joke to make video calls more engaging during a period of endless Zoom meetings .
6. The company's first product was intended for power users who were motivated, but it was difficult to use. A simpler web version was later launched .
7. Libben believes that successful people often attribute their success to luck, and that it's important to recognize and take advantage of opportunities when they arise .
8. He advises making friends with high-quality people who are doing interesting things, and working on a mission that genuinely excites him .
9. Libben encourages everyone in the company to understand their impact on the mission and to regularly assess this .
10. He believes that success often comes from a combination of hard work, brilliant team members, and luck .