Denise Holland Dresser’s Post

Tired of copious emails? Get Slack! Over the past few years the workplace has changed significantly. Most offices are currently operating in a hybrid model, which seems to be here to stay. Platforms like Slack are incredibly helpful with keeping communication seamless despite where the employee is currently located. But Slack is far more than a simple communication tool. You’re able to collaborate with your co-workers in real time by using checklist to track what tasks have been completed and what still has to be worked on. You no longer have to spend hours catching up with hundreds of emails, slack takes the pressure of office communications. #pittsburgh #womanownedbusiness #startup #accounting #tech #smallbusiness #communication

From $200k to $1.4B in net worth This guy built a $3B company by helping people schedule meetings. Today, the company makes $100M+ with ~400 employees and is growing at 50% every year. Here's the story🧵 Meet Tope Awotna, the founder of Calendly — the meeting automation platform. Since its inception in 2013, Calendly has: • 10M+ users • A presence in 50,000 companies • De facto status as the #1 meeting scheduler software • A $3-billion overall valuation in 2022 Tope has tried building 4 businesses. 3 failed and 1 succeeded in Calendly. So, how did it all began for Tope? Imagine being born into a family of scientists in Nigeria – your dad is a microbiologist and your mom is a pharmacist. You grow up witnessing their hardworking and ambitious nature, and they inspire you to dream big. It's a traditional dream you're after - a job maybe. But your dad and his entrepreneurial spirit have something else in store for you. He starts many small businesses, like distribution of industrial chemicals. Then you see him get shot and killed in a carjacking. And everything becomes shaky. But you wish to redeem his dream of entrepreneurship. That's the story of Tope. In 1996, when he was 15, he moved to Atlanta with his family. He started studying computer science at the University of Georgia, but soon realized coding was too monotonous for his extroverted nature. Rather than coding, he ventured into sales and sold software for top tech companies like Perceptive Software, Vertafore, and EMC (now Dell). On the side, he tried his hand at entrepreneurship with a matchmaking website, a projector company, and a garden tool business. All three failed. He recognized that his past businesses were not addressing a true market need. Fed up with failed business ventures and burning through cash, he took a break from entrepreneurship and focused on his job. While he was at his job, he was constantly struggling to schedule meetings. Setting up meetings could take dozens of emails and days of delays. This made him realize that scheduling was broken. The obvious solution was to create a better way to schedule appointments. And thus, Calendly was born. Not an engineering person himself, he contracted with the Ukrainian firm (if you also have an idea - contact us 😉) After 10 years, Calendly is at: • $100M+ revenue (faster than Zapier and DocuSign) • 50k+ companies use them Two things that drove Calendly to own over 50% of the scheduling market: 1. Product-led Growth 2. A+ Content Marketing And just like that, Calendly is growing at 50% every year. It was valued at $3B in 2021, and will definitely be more presently.

4 Mobile Calendar Productivity Hacks for Optimizing Your Scheduling on the Go - great read from Entrepreneur.com!

Stewart Butterfield: Shaping the Future of Communication Through Slack In the fast-paced world of digital communication, Stewart Butterfield's journey stands as a testament to innovation and transformative entrepreneurship. As the co-founder of Slack, he reshaped the way teams collaborate and communicate in the modern workplace. 👨💻 From Pixels to Slack: Before Slack, Stewart Butterfield co-founded Flickr, a pioneering photo-sharing platform. However, when the team tried to create an internal communication tool during a game development venture, a new vision emerged. This vision led to the birth of Slack, a platform designed to streamline workplace communication and enhance productivity. 🌐 Redefining Work Communication: Slack revolutionized workplace conversations by creating channels for specific topics, projects, or teams. The threaded messaging system improved organization, eliminating cluttered email threads. Butterfield's understanding of the complexities of collaboration fueled Slack's growth, making it an essential tool for teams across the globe. 🌟 User-Centric Approach: Butterfield's commitment to user experience led to Slack's intuitive design. He understood that simplicity was key to widespread adoption. Slack's user-friendly interface contributed to its rapid acceptance, making communication seamless and efficient for businesses of all sizes. 💡 Innovation and Adaptation: Butterfield's leadership extended beyond just creating a product. He understood the importance of continuous improvement and innovation. Slack's integrations with various apps, bots, and customizable features ensured that the platform stayed ahead of evolving workplace needs. 🌍 Global Impact: Slack transcended geographical boundaries, connecting teams around the world. Its influence in remote work culture skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as businesses sought efficient ways to collaborate from afar. Slack played a vital role in shaping the new normal of work. Stewart Butterfield's journey with Slack exemplifies how a clear vision, user-centric approach, and dedication to innovation can lead to a global phenomenon. Slack isn't just a tool; it's a symbol of transforming communication in the digital age. Under Butterfield's leadership, Slack has become more than software—it's a catalyst for collaboration and a cornerstone of modern work culture. #StewartButterfield #Slack #Innovation #CommunicationRevolution #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #DigitalTransformation #ModernWorkplace

Improve team bonding with slack! 🤝 💬 Back in the day, team bonding was facilitated through activities like happy hours and company picnics. Many people enjoyed these events, but there was a big contingent of people who preferred not to attend. These events, at times, tended to feel forced. But in the digital age, employees don’t need to feel forced to attend obligatory happy hours in order to bond with their co-workers. Slack is a great software that helps facilitate conversation in the workplace while keeping it causal and pressure free. Communication in the office has never been simpler! #pittsburgh #womanownedbusiness #accounting #startup #tech #smallbusiness #slack

Virtual Assistance - The Power of the Virtual Assistant! 💪 Virtual Assistants are your secret weapon, equipped with multiple skill set to tackle various tasks ranging from administrative duties to social media management, and research while saving your precious time and resources. ⏰ When you harness the power of virtual assistance, you can unlock a multitude of benefits. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a busy professional, or a startup, virtual assistants offer 📌Cost-effective solutions 📌Enhanced efficiency 📌Remarkable convenience So, embrace the future of work! Leverage the talents of virtual assistants to improve your productivity, boost your business, and find that perfect work-life balance.

Improve team bonding with slack! 🤝 💬 Back in the day, team bonding was facilitated through activities like happy hours and company picnics. Many people enjoyed these events, but there was a big contingent of people who preferred not to attend. These events, at times, tended to feel forced. But in the digital age, employees don’t need to feel forced to attend obligatory happy hours in order to bond with their co-workers. Slack is a great software that helps facilitate conversation in the workplace while keeping it causal and pressure free. Communication in the office has never been simpler! #pittsburgh #womanownedbusiness #accounting #startup #tech #smallbusiness #slack

The Power of Virtual Assistants: A Guide to Entrepreneurial Success