Values of the Slack Product: Part 2
In this episode, James Sherrett tells the story of Slack's journey in launching the Enterprise Grid product. Through a metaphor inspired by Lego platform sheets, Stewart Butterfield, Slack's co-founder, envisioned connecting multiple Slack workspaces to form an interlinked network. The episode explores the motivations behind this new product, including demands from existing and prospective large customers as well as Slack's own growth needs. Sherrett highlights the challenges and changes faced by Slack in appealing to 'BigCos,' such as increased security features and compliance requirements. This shift involved balancing Slack’s original values with those required by large enterprises, ultimately transforming Slack's product offerings and positioning it for substantial growth.
00:00 Introduction to Slack's Enterprise Journey
00:29 The metaphor of Enterprise Grid
01:32 Challenges with large customers
05:43 Prospective customer needs
08:33 Slack's needs and market strategy
10:22 The launch of Enterprise Grid
11:54 Values and technological shifts
14:05 Holistic vs. Prescriptive technologies
17:12 The impact of Enterprise Grid on Slack
18:53 Conclusion and future outlook
