Latest news with #InvestLikeTheBest
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Offline, Later and ...: Spotify executives have banned these words at meetings
Spotify executives are prohibited from using the phrases "we'll take that offline" or "later" during their weekly three-hour leadership meetings , according to co-president Gustav Söderström . The ban aims to force real-time problem-solving among the company's top brass rather than postponing difficult conversations. "You're not allowed to say the word 'offline' or 'later' — because that person is in the room," Söderström revealed on the "Invest Like The Best" podcast released Tuesday. This policy ensures immediate resolution of issues instead of deferring them, which Söderström described as "very simple in theory but incredibly powerful in practice." 'Bets' process drives innovation across leadership levels, says Spotify co-president The weekly Tuesday sessions are part of Spotify's "bets" process, where vice presidents pitch new ideas every six months in a startup-like environment. Leaders then rank the 30 to 50 proposals and allocate resources based on priority. Another strict rule prohibits executives from bringing direct reports to these meetings. "I'm trying to literally force the VPs to solve it themselves because I want them to be in the details," Söderström explained. "You have to be on top of it enough to explain it to yourself." This approach has fostered a tight-knit, high-trust team among Spotify's leadership while encouraging innovation from various organizational layers. Söderström emphasized that people perform better when they propose their own initiatives rather than executing assignments from superiors. "It's a good mix of bottom-up innovation," he said, highlighting how the company leverages ideas from across its leadership structure rather than relying solely on top executives. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Business Insider
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Spotify executives banned a common phrase from their weekly 3-hour meeting
Every Tuesday afternoon, Spotify's top brass — all of its vice presidents — pile into a room for a standing three-hour meeting with a key rule. "You're not allowed to say the word 'offline' or 'later' — because that person is in the room," said Gustav Söderström, Spotify's co-president, on an episode of the "Invest Like The Best" podcast published Tuesday. At other companies, when conversations get uncomfortable or someone hasn't delivered, people tend to punt the issue. But that's not Spotify's ethos, Söderström, who also leads tech and product, said. Instead of circling back, people are expected to hash things out. "It's real-time resolution — very simple in theory but incredibly powerful in practice. Most companies don't do it," he said. Another rule: No bringing direct reports. Everyone in the room is expected to know the discussion's details. "I'm trying to literally force the VPs to solve it themselves because I want them to be in the details. So, you're not allowed to bring anyone else in to explain your thing," Söderström said. "You have to be on top of it enough to explain it to yourself," he added. Without direct reports coming and going, the same group shows up each week. Over time, it becomes a tight-knit, high-trust team, Söderström said. Spotify and Söderström did not respond to a request for comment. Spotify's 'bets' process The marathon Tuesday sessions are part of what Spotify calls its "bets" process — a structured way of deciding what the company builds next. Every six months, each VP pitches a bet. "It's very much like a startup process," Söderström said. "You don't get to use the fact that Gustav or Alex or Daniel may like you. This is like a VC meeting, you have to convince us." After the pitches, the leaders "stack rank" the 30 to 50 pitches. Teams then allocate resources based on that list and execute what makes the cut over the next six months. "It's a good mix of bottom-up innovation," Söderström said. Instead of relying on the company's top executives, Spotify brings in ideas from across its leadership and "all the layers below." "You're going to be much better at delivering something if you were the one who said, 'I can do this,' than if your boss said you can do this," Söderström said. The company's stock is up nearly 116% in the last year.
