Perspectives

Welcome Airkit: The Low-Code Customer Engagement Revolution

October 6, 2020

Today excited officially announce partnership Airkit world's first low-code platform customer engagement part coming-out-of-stealth announcement 21.6M Series commitment Co-founders Stephen Ehikian CEO Adam Evans CTO mission transform companies connect customers today's world personalized proactive experience critical building winning company resources complexities involved digital experiences present barriers often make reach changing game Now developers business users alike use build hyper-personalized spans every interaction across channel matter days Emergence obsessed impact technologies people strong conviction delivering delightful better positioned win Team known years founded RelateIQ relationship intelligence 2011 later acquired Salesforce saw leading brands offering competitive advantage puts last mile continues challenge idea simplify process applications bring element automation goal empower love set knew immediately wanted opportunity truly engage data-driven something pursuing next out-of-the-box solution address growing demand technology estimated 641 billion industry 2022 already made evangelists early short impressive traction ranging Fortune 500 1000 startups echo passion platform's accessibility ease-of-use extremely impressed current pipeline ability become de-facto enterprises SMEs Furthermore serious consideration behind founding Together combination Adam's core strengths exceptional Stephen's focus culture execution complements world-class product skillset long-term visionary approach believe founders expertise customer-centric software incredible recipe success thrilled welcome entire family going enable delight scale

How Founders Can Gain the Skills They Need to Survive These Unsettled Times

October 1, 2020

interview orginally published Silicon Valley Business Journal leaders need different set skills ever demonstrated survive today's crossfire crises Covid recession social unrest according Emergence Capital partner Jake Saper lack moral leadership kill company quickly poorly executed go-to-market strategy believes talked ways founders CEOs help keep employees feeling rudderless preoccupied issues beyond control Cromwell understand believe pandemic year creating situation asking startup types businesses face think time faith institutions fundamentally shaken mean writ large somewhat similar happened 2008 wider spread obviously existential involves life death remember young associate New York City mid-2000s kind rode wave everything collapsed stress major going roommate worked Lehman Brothers thought institution always existed exist crumbled left questioning moment bigger profound people longer exists particularly millennials now make significant portion workforce seeing took granted trusted fail deliver public health justice vacuum specifically around technology companies feel affect naturally looking leader proximate person CEO means required play role never scale asked steward compass work extraordinarily hard expected saying know trust scared friends family great uncertainty anxiety provide terms future growth trajectory broadly guide spending trying coach Give example common right across portfolio holding account questions diversity inclusion challenges seen done admirable job increase amount backgrounds possible failing side Seattle named Textio helps hire diverse candidates helping eliminate bias hiring process bunch tools developed effective ensure including voices hearing ensuring given meeting junior speaks first times coming level good heard perspectives else telling insane pressure cooker operating expectations put investors market find team motivated try let along important talk place stability operate calm coherent absorbers getting customers outside buck stops biggest piece advice outlet relieves consistently draw upon advise care deeply able effectively release valves unless Sometimes meditation workouts therapy someone speak Another tool use peer grouping idea together regular basis group noncompetitive spaces transparent honest facing empathetic ears listen say phrase powerful part groups actually emerging partners VC firms helpful share similarly past go back show full self etc increasing number organizations created called Enrich Reboot mechanisms frankly must harder accomplish describe working remotely exceedingly acknowledge taking Everything's normal remote true remoteness makes better worse adapt running making adaptation teammates something meaningful formed call Stay Connected Taskforce rotates create build experience virtually schedule virtual painting events ship canvases Zoom-based session look competitions workout peers little thoughtful packages package week ago aloe plant using symbol healing logo pot made connectedness warmth missed stuff skillset necessarily classically invest founder often incredible product insight problem solve expertise newer needed become valve glue probably greatest upheaval generation grow empathy high funded salespeople real deep blossom term inspiring

The 10 Essentials to Building a Values-Driven Company

August 25, 2020

Written collaboration Anne Raimondi CCO Guru Board Member Gusto Asana Patreon earlier version article featured Fast Company world-class sourdough companies common thriving well-tended culture Sorry quarantine baking kick good starter must continually shaped fed leaders well-articulated well-implemented set core values key ingredient success provide blueprint people organization make decisions especially hard Ken Gosnell CEO Experience captured leader knows able quickly confidence unclear becomes chaotic critical right early days scales made efficient decentralized manner remaining culturally consistent important move remote hybrid staffing models Modern technologies Slack Zoom stitch together timeless tech statements behaviors support part glue unites statement posted website relatively succeeded institutionalizing lay mistakes enablers seen high functioning implement build values-driven 1 Less comes crafting creating startup worked came list 47 felt strongly theory sound better long cover bases actuality dilutes meaning employees know prioritize lack focus end negatively impacting best practice encourage strive boil three five fewer likely remembered institutionalized within decision-making throughout 2 Avoid generic Another pitfall involves aligning overly Integrity Communication Respect Commitment Excellence strong objectively speaking meanings extremely broad open different interpretations person-to-person problem counter Josh Reeves Co-Founder talks importance argue sides value point view interpretation word phrase detail reflect clearly define distinction means aspirational said necessary tension ultimately help business interesting test whether identify based host easily associated Airbnb accident Brian Chesky attributes company's global 3 memorable worthless remember making day Jake encourages founders see pass pop song hook become stuck peoples heads Look Twilio inspiration built principles called Magic guide act win Draw Owl well-known outside distinctive states instruction book write Figure ship iterate Invent future wing concept complicated idea started simply drawing couple circles communicated ways Twilio's approach grabs sticks 4 Keep connected process defining beginning order come life Communicate managers embed work teams goals enough merely modeled top team lead example show live attest behavior Webflow no-code development chose adopt rather alone believe mean nothing without action 5 ignore shadow side Newton's Third Law tells physics every equal opposite reaction understand ahead weaponized walk extreme scenarios envision prepared address unintended consequences thought Asana's Clarity essential building behave everyone However adopting defined Ambiguity discussed create anxiety uncertainty among lacked needed addresses reminding times perfect OK rare cases step drive decision 6 form foundation hiring dictate permitted used joins Include questions around values-alignment interview helps ensure presence Although roles pressure filled never de-prioritize values-fit favor hire dedicated values-based interviewers pulled whose goal assess versus hard-skills veto power reinforce hold single person standard entry-level members caution inadvertently allowed rules fit prevent diverse candidates feel employee diversity contrast allows skills background helping align shared beliefs practices path bold opinionated convince either alignment 7 continue performance reviews informal praise alike course go beyond basis broader feedback efforts examples highlighted formal Similarly instances makes sense let repeated offenses processes find integrate celebrate emojis correspond use call great physical manifestation give values-exemplifying Emergence LOV Living sessions Hands meetings openly share others demonstrated Emergence's sure celebrated across 8 tone DEI leads superior outcomes almost dimension numerous promoting reducing bias recruiting inclusive job descriptions hiding names reviewing resumes sourcing range schools geographies maintaining slates including women minority potential colleagues goes far extend comfortable environment extends everything on-boarding meeting norms social get-togethers benefits demonstrate loud clear Voices Heard full contribution strongest establish inclusion superficial photo page teeth measure ability recruit high-caliber talent engage retain 9 seem obvious looks founder faster destroy trust anyone executive leadership exempt true today's world media tweet post picture considered lens say watching listening scrutinizing trying accountable exercise start actions exemplify Ask spend time fill gaps model worth considering framing major led 10 need evolve Businesses change scale grow larger longer effective next stage check periodically keepers determine resonate Design intent Invest operationalize going honest pay attention talking celebrating relevant Take edit update evolving thinks investing think product designing intention executing measuring iterating evolves meant stone stress passionate topic love hear Please missteps anneraimondi jakesaper

Recommendations as We Enter the Remote-Friendly “Great Rehiring”

August 8, 2020

Advice entrepreneurs early-stage teams looking hire top talent remote world unique time hiring uncertainty pandemic continues remains around long-term plans companies adapting strategies fit new normal determining office structure 100 phased return hybrid model look going forward amazing see productive circumstances work done good news starting uptick growing contingent capitalizing newly available pools experience summer gone witnessing ice age mass layoffs beginning Great Rehiring worked candidates find dream role conversely candidate key roles laid considerations folks right now drawing anecdotal within portfolio 1 Pursue hires warranted prioritized needs cash hand company stage continue albeit modestly seen best open exploratory recruiting calls shorter cycles hard-to-fill executive recruiters higher response rates home WFH afforded flexibility interviews privacy take meetings confidentially unfortunate restricted travel year means sitting waiting thoughtfully written emails shift virtual interviewing processes move faster easier coordinate hours Zoom rather flying multiple rounds on-site 2 prematurely disqualify Hear number due industries impacted COVID e.g hospitality retail SMB purely performance-related 3 Consider non-local enter permanent economy constrained job locality shortage across country qualified perhaps less entitled better near tech hubs Atlanta Chicago Denver Phoenix Portland Salt Lake City etc local start market slowed 4 Proactively address adapted remote-friendly routines priorities shifted skewed towards optimizing stability strong cultures previously popular perks longer relevant snacks kombucha tap dog-friendly Reassure sharing health business accommodate maintained culture team-building activities potential workplace progress Discuss strategy vision articulate plan Invite suggestions conversation none answers 5 Invest heavily references solve lack in-person gut sense someone's leverage collective networks diligence understand past performance Use tool validate learned strengths weaknesses formed opinion latter part process need supplied backchannel Together approaches give clearer picture Approach referencing caution contact someone current employer risk exposing search 6 healthy mix structured unstructured conversations important know person outside skills require allocating extra 10 minutes interview session parties beyond evaluation Evaluate motivations alignment values cultural add later stages coordination Hands quick coffee chats fun cross-functional team event meet Thank Gia Scinto 7 Create proximity closing two-way street options evaluating offer social distancing walk sides comfortable prefer keep host dinner decision-maker significant let everyone casual environment 8 paramount overly communicative throughout first touchpoint post-offer acceptance show day favor ahead intended date momentum built changing quickly touch base every days Increased transparency keeping apprised nears help reduce unnecessary unease chance visit harder envision working join informal happy least build meaningful connections teammates 9 onboard invested effort money finding go mile excited engaged ensure ramp soon accepts onboarding begins Send welcome care package including swag note manager bring Assign sherpas initial phase introduce colleagues answer silly questions Provide week's schedule manual living doc Google Slides mission practices links documents FAQ tools systems already uploaded list supporting materials related organize tasks Sora Emergence incoming fill Life Story 15 facts email entire helps exchange genuine away added Shared drive review archive Stories created traditions inspired mashup Percolate's adaptation Guru's template enable integrated speed enculturation sets foundation greater likelihood success retention week survival kit representative items prepared desk allow recreate feels extension Pre-fill weeks 1s internal events lunches bearings left wondering made decision Since ask neighbor people Slack channels interactions feel included form relationships Managers check regularly celebrate small wins over-communicate clarity introductory coming cascading make inboxes empty Stay true influx applicants overwhelming encourage intentional thorough ultimately change works surprised forced remotely learn navigate love Please shortlist recommendations contributing feedback drop Linkedin tweet tammyfabulous re

Whistic: The New Era of Proactive Vendor Security

July 28, 2020

Whistic Emergence Capital's first all-digital investment done 100 via Zoom strange think dramatically nature trust changed midst pandemic Investors reimagine build relationships entrepreneurs Given closely sides venture work together longevity ideally last lifetimes companies beyond founders imperative enter partnerships mutual respect years determining compatibility building rapport dependent upon countless in-person meetings dinners coffees now Tech buyers face similar challenge role absolutely critical success must know products services purchasing otherwise putting company data risk security reviews take months in-depth questionnaires sent back forth clunky opaque reactive huge flaw thought ask business process need modern proactive efficient approach includes sellers completely reinventing vendor offering streamlined assessments innovative platform transforms cumbersome manual previously took weeks transparent digital exchange Specifically enables organizations proactively assess vendors privacy information certifications audit results single InfoSec compliance teams easily access evaluate postures potential typical sales cycle decreases least month average world-class Airbnb Okta Betterment Qualtrics Finicity among number leading healthcare manufacturing energy education brands excited adopt gain instant 14 000 profiles Appropriately enough Emergence's entirely ability hop versus party traveling plane actually gave incredible amount time focus best effort forward support online pre-pandemic new inventive team exercises turned extremely valuable ones likely continue getting Nick Sorensen CEO Juan Rodriguez Founder CTO rest connected vision passion drive ultimately lead industry era part partnership Carlotta Siniscalco joining Whistic's board Congratulations proud welcome Family next chapter

Managing Risks and Preparing for a Rebound

June 4, 2020

Rarely startups faced great challenge today current COVID-19 pandemic impacted almost every facet daily lives However unlike economic downturns tied global health crisis creating additional uncertainty layers challenges companies sizes Emergence experience ranges early Series large public Since early-stage founders operated bull market asked seasoned executives discuss journeys leading last recession share lessons learned informing decision-making processes Ren Lacerte Founder CEO Bill.com BILL founded company 2006 received round significant funding late 2007 right financial hit long-term strategy approach leadership allowed weather storm Now 14 years later 5B transformed businesses pay paid Bruce Felt served CFO SuccessFactors 2012 time led successful IPO six acquisitions 3.4B sale SAP past Domo cloud-based business intelligence analytics platform 2018 Currently helping navigate making strategic decisions setting success Collectively possess decades transforming publicly traded execs make tough 08 downturn recent event divulge hard-won best practices navigating recessions insights recommendations tech operating managing risks period captured top-line takeaways 1 Lead vulnerability transparency culture believes importance strong always goes back vulnerable transparent think important treat employees respect bring decision process Part acknowledging knows everything okay open communications build trust among help feel confident made carefully appreciation gravity consequences increase working remotely recommends hosting Town Hall week format anyone ask questions first month shelter-in-place met company-wide meet Q&A people whatever's mind Everybody's worried anxiety seems boost morale maintain positive work building new protocols full list submissions day select gets recognized send local baked goods 50 DoorDash gift card look forward helps valued across entire 2 Hope plan human tendency act fast enough expect whatever facing end sooner actually long industries harder expected recovery entail everyone hopes leaders brace slower-paced longer runway survive potentially slow Getting specifics budgetary planning suggests consider 80 meant adjusting plans projected renewal rates billings number plugged costs determine cash flow target informs decision-makers expenses need cut secondary outlines road lasts 3 Know triggers assess status risk factor depends segment analyzing customers level exposure Evaluate constantly reevaluate adjust accordingly says looking data increased frequency built matrix strategize various potential scenarios play dependent rapidly evolving conditions fell absolute executive teams wholly understand company's either direction prepared quickly course-correct needed 4 swift philosophy headcount comes cuts reducing workforce equal return investment warns simplify seen young adopt mindset spend flow-positive works favor veteran recommended strategically keeping eye core metrics profitability burn matter decided drive towards flow-break explained management team took board fee saying resort going put everybody job lose players painful reduce size easy said went directive sales significantly force sudden drop demand result hard necessary emerged black overnight notes services cycles lengthen transaction decrease cutting keep levels investors expecting balancing short-term cost-cutting investments growth starting determining realistically grow example sure doubling probably productivity loss fact opposite effect performance dramatically relative similar anecdote never considered changing roadmap executed less stars deliver 5 forget side brought room explain let understood revealed managers broke spoke employee convey context personal responses Expressing humanity showcasing empathy leaving critical maintaining engagement remains leaves hire Handling layoffs means likely brand ambassadors 6 ready rebound recommend using prepare eventual assessing times see step give somebody agrees though scary macro environment attrition rebalance within cost structure opportunity find attract different profile professionals expertise vertical sectors well-positioned skills needs Staying envelope accruing firepower key spring mode soon begins win-win

I Trust Zoom

April 14, 2020

last days getting questions Zoom wanted write thoughts share experience working Eric team full disclosure investor board member happy customer friend Given company's performance early obvious delighted journey today writing post perspective someone known personally professionally years uses daily whose household now runs remarkable company able successfully scale support 20x number participants let alone handle feedback issues new unforeseen use cases brought matter already rolled updates set motion Zoom's 90-day plan build safer secure top security privacy experts trust first came across back August 2012 course friendship partnership pleasure meeting truly talented people building intentional hires leads values-driven culture Care real extends beyond employees customers partners community essentially everyone touches right pandemic every works around clock keep user needs deeply believe vision beginning Eric's remained steady provide video-first communication platform allow Meet career continued see frustration using video services knew better Despite naysayers stayed focused connect asking day obsessed making successful amongst challenges actively responding users Twitter attracted product worked easy sign manage almost effortless join short period time jumped 10 million 200 helped stay connected family Argentina incredible come circle start wife work non-profit children school via others world depend engaged mental physical health humble transparent action-oriented large organizations took different approach fresh talent driven individuals eager learn grow grew went public nimble believes business speed everything continually make say know always finding ways CEO visible companies learning world's stage scaled unprecedented growth several usability light Rather trying excuses deflect immediately action revising core elements transform privacy-and-security-first made huge strides address resolve put together council experienced CISOs advise matters data Additionally engineering pressed pause projects pipeline hands deck ensure aspect highest standards done continue ingrained honestly hand heart genuine person best intentions history indicator conducts says something means Although sometimes cost recent case extend free service K-12 teachers perhaps fast failed think implications However parent Emergence advocate education stand ultimately decision hindsight handled value leader takes owns summary taking steps

Built to Last

March 16, 2020

enterprise software leaders now weather storm entered period extreme uncertainty driven COVID-19 crisis impossible forecast exactly happen look previous system shocks see cloud sector affected startup CEOs navigate Potential Impact 08 financial saw public companies resilient sectors chart comparing 2008 SaaS performance market indices believe core drivers resilience play today's First recurring revenue contracts particularly mission-critical tend continue paid Second businesses grapple supply chain disruptions hamstring hardware-dependent Third generally direct exposure declining consumer transactions Lastly suited storms fundamentally high gross margins allow opportunity pivot profitability however doubt delays sales cycles buyers shifting business dynamics churn likely increase across board though higher selling non-essential vs products stronger demand importantly dotcom crash important catalyst ushering shift on-prem already starting hints current usher new era remote work around world start practicing social distancing Zoom Slack become infrastructure upon education getting done Indeed March 13th downloaded iOS app Earlier stage Salesloft Chorus Tandem Guru building well-suited help adapt reality deeply grateful entrepreneurs working hard stressful time stay connected keeping safe Steps Take reevaluate operating plans light black swan decide respond based unique position blindly follow cookie-cutter advice founders craft scenarios constantly conditions unfold actions discussing profitable great invest strategically terrific talent comes available good opportunistic well-positioned outpace peers abates capital cover 12+ months runway 10M ARR threshold focus efficiency make trade-off growth Go slower faster later prudent managing risk super-efficient marketing customers sure happy set success easier generate close choose reaccelerate data economy's next 10 million need raise funds six highly recommend sharpen pencils cut expenses extend raising closing over-optimize terms instead speed certainty Ensure capitalized ride wave strategy making downturn ready cycle improves team clarity communication critical fully understands rallied achieve plan managers communicating role person plays achieving cuts necessary avoid death thousand medicine early treat people soften blow use involved helping solve evolving pain points product used earn board-level vendor enough discussed meetings best investments made prior downturns Salesforce 2002 Veeva ServiceMax know iconic born forged conviction future Emergence open intrepid want change ever three values win big long run definition includes moments humbling rise occasion steward built last Onward Upward

Finding the Outliers: Creating the Modern Era of Automated Business Analysis

March 2, 2020

Today proud formally welcome Outlier.ai Emergence family Earlier year led 22.1M Series first investment new decade Outlier holds meaning relationship Outlier's CEO Co-Founder Sean Byrnes goes back several years kind enough help break research generation cloud-native BI applications guidance expertise developed thesis cloud democratize data empowering business users access analyze drive decisions past team intensely studying intelligence landscape time met every application found plenty compelling startups find wanted However last search came full circle created truly unique approach augmenting decision makers AI-driven automated analysis identifies unexpected changes patterns behavior extracting root causes given answers ask question sound impossible results speak grown revenue 400 12 months analyzed four billion metrics customers jumped opportunity partner co-founders Mike mission-driven values company since day helped recruit exceptional rarely see talented experienced executives join early-stage testament culture building philosophy go slow fast later directly resulted strong foundation happy rapid technical innovation accelerate strategic hires please check careers beginning said vision five look companies dozen dashboards outdated using paper map excited make reality