Tom Popomaronis

How a 30-something CEO turned Vimeo around to $400M ARR, and how she now plans to scale Tubi 👇🏻 You still may think of Vimeo as the smaller competitor to YouTube — and that’s what it 𝘄𝗮𝘀 for most of that time. But when Anjali Sud took over as CEO, she doubled down on reinventing Vimeo as a 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 that serves a B2B market. That market is booming: by the time Anjali left, it was doing around $400 million in Annual Recurring Revenue. That’s a remarkable success story — all because Anjali decided to 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 with YouTube, Netflix, and other consumer video companies and find a better market to play in. Now, the question is: will she take the same approach in her leadership of Tubi? Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation: 1/ 𝗢𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆—“The more you can make the goals of your business and your personal goals one and the same, the more you can do. If you put the business first, you can unlock so much opportunity” 2/ 𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲— “We thought we were inventing the future with video for enterprise. But remember timing is everything. We acquired Livestream experts in livestreaming townhalls and completely bombed on our launch numbers pre-pandemic. But then, in a split second, everything changed” Anjali added that businesses don’t have linear lines of growth, there are moments of failure along the way. 3/ 𝗢𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 —“We romanticize going public. I know I did, and I’ll always treasure the experience. But I’ll be honest. I think a lot of companies probably go public way too early” Anjali shared how we should reframe going public as a goal in itself. There are alternative ways for capital or liquidity. The trade-offs are real. 4/ 𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁—“If you think about entertainment, our job is to entertain. We almost do ourselves a disservice when we think of things like TV, streaming, social media, and gaming. We're all in the attention business. The younger generation is forcing us to break these walls.” Tubi is today the most watched FREE TV and movie streaming service in the U.S., with the world’s largest content library of over 200,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of Originals, and nearly 250 FAST channels. More of this power-packed convo on EPISODE 100 of Billion Dollar Moves Podcast! 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 #𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸, 𝗱𝗼 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 😊 Special thanks to HubSpot podcast network, my sponsors, my production team, all of my guests, and especially you, my community. Here’s to the next 100! #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #leadership #AANHPI #topglobalventurecapitalpodcast

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This is my Summer of What’s Next (#SOWN): a mini-sabbatical I’m using to renew my business vision and plans. AI is at the center of my self-coaching process, building on the kind of #AI use cases I’ve written about for The Wall Street Journal. Here’s how I’m using it: Clarify my goals: To clarify what I want to accomplish, I used a voice GPT session to capture and synthesize my initial goals for the self-coaching process, and to talk through my long-term vision. Structure my coaching plans: To help me set up a schedule and choose the right tech tools for the job, I used a pair of custom GPTs (more about them soon!) to develop a framework for my summer and to set up the tech tools (a combo of #customGPTS, Make scenarios and Coda docs) that hold it all together. Ask the right questions: I wanted an AI who could ask me the questions to advance my thinking throughout the summer. I uploaded a wide range of knowledge files about #coaching to my lead AI so that it would have some questions to draw upon. Identify and run coaching activities: There are so many interesting and powerful exercises that can help with strategy development and business planning, and I wanted AI to help pick the right ones for me. I spent an extended session telling my coaching AI about past coaching experiences, retreats and strategy processes that have been helpful to me, as well as the ones that weren’t, and then asked it to articulate guidelines for picking coaching activities and exercises. Recommend resources: I asked my AI coach to suggest relevant books, articles, podcasts and TV shows to read or listen to over the course of the summer. At first it was All The White Guys (and the most obvious, bro-tastic guys possible) so I specifically asked the AI to make recommendations that come from a more diverse universe, and no more than 40% white guys. But I can’t get it to stop recommending Tim Ferriss. Support my process: Talking out loud or running Q&A sessions with GPT (where the GPT asks me questions) is a great way to get my creativity flowing. I get the AI to take notes on my stream of consciousness thinking, or ask it to pose some questions for me to answer, and then summarize the key insights or next steps so I can paste them into my Coda doc. Provide perspective: If you’ve ever arrived at an insight in response to someone saying something you disagree with, you know that the value of an outside perspective isn’t necessarily about the wisdom of that perspective. So far my coach is not exactly insightful, though I can push it for better questions by telling it to be more soulful and naming a couple of coaches or authors I want it to channel. If that doesn’t work, I tell it that it’s asking a not-very-interesting question, and suggest another, better question to ask myself. But just coming up with that better question can give me the fresh perspective I need. I’ll share more about my SOWN AI coaching team in another post soon.

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*Edited post* This week, Brian Evergreen, author of "Autonomous Transformation: Creating a More Human Future in the Era of Artificial Intelligence" and founder of The Future Solving Company, who was shortlisted for the 2023 Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award, joins me on the Outthinkers Podcast. Building on his experiences working at Accenture, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft, Brian advises and speaks to organizations around the world, guest lectures at Purdue University and the Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, sharing the unconventional and innovative methods and frameworks he developed leading and advising Digital Transformation initiatives at many of the world's most valuable companies. At the core of Brian’s ideas is that in this age of accelerated AI, there is not only room for—but a dire need for human reasoning to remain a core component of business strategy in what he calls “autonomous transformation,” which contrast with and complements what we all call digital transformation. In the episode, he shares: 🔵 The differences between transformation, reformation and creation — and when each is best employed given the presence of key criteria 🔵 His "reason-driven framework," which in contrast to data-driven frameworks, allow the space and opportunity for human experimentation, learning, and innovation 🔵 The critical difference between digital transformation (moving from analog to digital) and autonomous transformation, which encompasses systems that autonomously handle processes and make decisions, emphasizing that transformation should create value, not just imply digital changes Listen at the link in the comments below.

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🚀 Aloha, executives! Ready to harness the power of AI in your organization? 🔓 I've just released a new video revealing "3 Unbelievable AI Secrets Every Exec Should Know!" These transformative tips could be your ticket to paradise in the world of AI adoption. 🌴 Frustrated with slow AI progress? These secrets will help you build momentum and drive success. 📈 Want more AI guidance tailored for business leaders? Click "Visit my website" in my profile above👆. Let's navigate the AI revolution together! 🤝 #AIforLeaders #BusinessInnovation #TechStrategy

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❎ “Post-Exit Death is Inevitable” ❎ Rick Eigenbrod is a deeply respected thinker in the post-exit world. A clinical psychologist and co-author of the classic Yale paper “What’s Next: The Entrepreneur’s Epilogue”, he’s spent years guiding founders through life after the exit as an executive coach. In this conversation at Exit Paradox, we get into why Rick believes a “death of who we used to be” and a subsequent "re-birth" are inevitable post-exit, and how resisting these changes only adds to the struggle. Rick generously shares the tools and exercises he’s found most effective in navigating this transformative process. We also explore: - the grip of dopamine addiction - the healing power of “legitimizing” post-success frustration - simple ways to reconnect with our natural curiosity and playfulness, and - the bittersweet reality of leaving some people behind as we experience exponential personal growth. For more wisdom from exceptional exited founders, follow me, Anastasia Koroleva and my newsletter. Link in the bio👆. My mission is to help fellow exited founders gain clarity and acquire practical tools to build their dream lives - on their terms. For my full interview with Rick go to the link in the comments 👇. #postexit

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Motherhood makes us better professionals. I've learned so much, but how to educate and encourage versus simply prescribe is a highlight. Using open-ended questions to help founders identify their biggest financial roadblocks. So much of it is listening. All founders have different goals, and I'm here to help them become reality. Which is my job at home, too - helping my sweet and spicy little people reach their goals and full potential. As they grow, I give actionable information so they can make decisions for themselves. Happy Mothers Day to all who have reason to celebrate, and sending love to those for whom this day is difficult. ------------------------------------- I help innovative and #betterforyou #CPG founders scale their emerging brands with #finance leadership. Please reach out if you think I can help!

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My convo with Guy Kawasaki: AI, surfing, parenthood, navigating healthy tension situations, the future of VC and Silicon Valley. It was wide ranging to say the least. After 300+ Why Not Now? episodes, this is by far one of the most value packed. Guy is the OG influencer from the 80's, an evangelist for innovation and author of 16 books! He has shaped my career (from afar) since my days in the NBA. I consider him to be a legend. We talk AI, surfing, parenthood, healthy tension conversations (watch the clip below for a great tool you can use today), becoming remarkable and much more. Here are 3 AI specific takeaways that stood out to me: 1) Guy is using AI as a thought partner. For example, he’ll start by using it in the expected/normal way with its basic capabilities like researching various options and giving it very specific prompts and criteria. Then he will ask AI what it thinks he should do based on the data and options. This is the first time I’ve heard of someone taking AI to a level that could be perceived as human-only cognitive computing. Discerning between data sets to help make complex decisions. 2) He believes eventually AI will be able to make better investment decisions than VCs. He acknowledged that the current “young associates who sit at the big firms” are not a valid filter. 3) “Silicon Valley does not have a monopoly on brains. That’s BS. We are not the epicenter of people.” - this was Guy’s answer to my question about Silicon Valley's global leadership on innovation in the future. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/g9KDTyAw #AI #GuyKawasaki #WhyNotNow?

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Pitch investors and get pre-revenue funded. How? Persuasive Conviction 👇👇 Early-stage fundraising: Highly competitive. Investors get the opportunity, or they don’t. It's high-risk but intuitive. What should startups do? Like Steve Martins's book “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” How? Storytelling & Copywriting I studied multiple techniques, and it's perfect for pitching.  Psychology: Mastering copywriting means understanding human psychology.  It's about tapping into desires, fears, and aspirations. Before, I thought you had to convince investors. Now, I believe you also need to persuade them. I didn't believe I could be but my mom convinced me I could [=she caused me to think I could]. The boy persuaded his mom to adopt a puppy. [=the boy caused his mom to adopt a puppy by asking or giving her reasons to] It’s not enough to Convince you need to persuade. Hence, I coined the term Persuasive Conviction. ☀️Stories ☀️Highlight the gap between what is and what can be. ☀️Take them on that journey so they see themselves as heroes on the same path. ☀️Copywriting. ☀️The art of persuasion traces back over 2000 years to Aristotle's rhetoric. ☀️Aristotle identified three critical elements of persuasion: ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos refers to establishing credibility and trustworthiness.  Pathos involves tapping into the emotions of your audience.  Logos pertains to the logical appeal of your argument. An Example in Practice: I worked in Africa for 10 years, 5 of which involved selling solar energy to villages without electricity. I pitched impact investors to fund my projects. Over 5 years, we bought electricity to over 500.000 people and raised $120M See Carousels for a pitching example: It’s not a real pitch. It shows how to get funded with stories and copywriting techniques. Slide 2: I would pause with my back to this slide and keep silent. Then I would ask: Does anything strike you odd with the picture? Say they didn’t. I would then say notice Africa is Pitch Dark. Pause. Would I ask whether you have ever been in a village pitch dark? I have, and it’s emotional and frustrating. Then, I show two slides that create emotion and tension. Notice I have not used traditional slides. Slide 2: a fact plus me sharing my story (establishes my Credibility/Ethos) nothing more this peaks audience’s curiosity, the hook. Slides 2 & 3: Vision and Impact (Pathos): tapping into the emotions of your audience For the rest of the slides, before and after again emotion and don’t miss slides 8,9 & 10; they are real 🔥End with a BANG! 🔥 Thanks for your time 💚

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Presentations have become a ubiquitous part of professional life, whether it’s crafting a pitch deck, outlining a strategic plan, or preparing for a conference. I have explored three tools that utilize AI to help create presentations with ease. Have you tried these tools before and let me know what you think? https://lnkd.in/eyWiRJn4

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"Unmasking Humanity: 21 Questions with Joshua T Berglan featuring Faris Aranki" In the debut episode of "Unmasking Humanity: 21 Questions," host Joshua T Berglan delivers an insightful and engaging conversation with Faris Aranki, the innovative strategist behind Shiageto Consulting. This thought-provoking show dives deep into the realms of strategy, emotional intelligence, and personal growth, offering viewers a unique perspective on success and human potential. Faris Aranki brings his wealth of experience to the table, sharing invaluable insights on the perfect blend of IQ, EQ, and FQ (Focus Quotient) in crafting successful strategies. His anecdotes, including a fascinating account of working on the UK government's pandemic flu preparedness project, showcase his ability to navigate complex, high-stakes situations with finesse. The interview takes unexpected turns, with creative analogies that bring strategic concepts to life. When asked how he would adjust a company's strategy to be the perfect seasoning in a recipe, Faris' response adds a relatable and imaginative dimension to strategic planning. Throughout the conversation, Faris emphasizes the importance of focus and simplicity in strategy. He shares a compelling "Mission Impossible" moment where his team saved a client from a strategic disaster by returning to basics, underscoring the critical role of the Focus Quotient in business success. The discussion also touches on the value of historical lessons in shaping modern strategies, with Faris cautioning against dismissing past wisdom. His journey is likened to assembling an "ultimate strategy Avengers team," providing viewers with a colorful glimpse into his professional evolution. Perhaps most inspiringly, Faris reveals the driving force behind his work: "The secret ingredient is that I'm not done." This statement encapsulates his unwavering passion and commitment to continuous improvement. The episode is further enriched by Faris' personal anecdotes, including a touching story from his time as a high school teacher in Nepal, adding depth and humanity to his professional insights. Joshua T Berglan's thoughtful questioning and genuine curiosity create an atmosphere of authenticity, allowing for a truly illuminating conversation. This inaugural episode sets a high bar for the series, promising viewers a journey of discovery, inspiration, and unmasked humanity. Don't miss this captivating broadcast that seamlessly blends strategic wisdom with personal growth insights, offering viewers a fresh perspective on success in both business and life. https://lnkd.in/gHDAhiSA #UnmaskingHumanity #21Questions #JoshuaTBerglan #FarisAranki #StrategicThinking #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipInsights #BusinessStrategy #FocusQuotient #CareerJourney #LifeLessons #InspirationTalk #ProfessionalDevelopment #StrategicLeadership #HumanPotential

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Strategy isn't the hardest part of building a company. It's asking yourself the right questions. The one I always keep coming back to: How can I make sure my team knows what I'm thinking—and why? Check out the full article for questions from other incredible founders to reflect on.

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The Failure Framework has three components: 1) Sustaining technologies and disruptive technologies have strategically important differences and implications for a firm. Doing better at one doesn't guarantee success at the other. In fact, the opposite is more likely. Doing better at sustaining and disruptive technologies needs different skills, different organizational values and processes, and different orientations. Established firms often focus on and do better at sustaining technologies. Partly because sustaining technologies bring higher profits and have existing market demand whereas disruptive technologies serve niche markets, don’t serve the existing customers of a firm, and generate lower margins. 2) The speed of technological progress can and often does surpass the market's needs. This means relentless investment in sustaining technologies eventually reaches a diminishing marginal return. More importantly, disruptive technologies follow a similar trajectory. Disruptive technologies often start by serving smaller niche markets. But disruptive technologies often follow the same trajectory of technology development and thus close the gap with the mainstream products in a shorter time frame than expected, creating new competitive dynamics for an established firm that initially overlooked disruptive technology. 3) Finally, customers, financial structure, and values of successful companies usually dictate the investment decisions of a successful firm. Contrarily, a new entrant can make these decisions with greater flexibility and openness. Read the essay: https://lnkd.in/es-8wb7Y

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It was great to speak with Sophia Velastegui on all things AI! In this exclusive interview with AI Magazine, she speaks about her work as a woman within the AI sector, in addition to how businesses can best overcome the technical challenges of AI. Read more below 😊 #AI #EnterpriseAI #AIeducation #GenAI #FutureTech

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BJ Fogg, a renowned Behavior Scientist at Stanford University, author of "Tiny Habits", and the visionary behind the Stanford Behavior Design Lab. He knows this all too well. In the video below, BJ reveals his own journey of uncovering what he didn’t know—and how this pivotal realization changed his business trajectory before it was too late. Don't miss out on this valuable insight that could save your business. #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BehavioralScience #Innovation #Leadership #SuccessMindset #ContinuousLearning #creativecareers #strategicthinking #behavioralscience #neuroscience #tinyhabits #entrepreneur #businessadvice #personalgrowth Stanford University Stanford Behavioral and Functional Neuroscience Laboratory BJ Fogg, PhD Genius Network®

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