How do you create a work culture that stands out and inspires team loyalty across multiple companies? In this episode, we gain valuable insights on this and more from the illustrious career of Donna Dubinsky.

Known for her pivotal roles at Palm Computing and Handspring, Donna offers a rare long-term perspective on leadership, culture, and the technological landscape that has spanned decades.

Takeaways:

• The Importance of Building a Strong Culture: Donna emphasizes that a great company starts with great people. She shares the crucial role a positive culture played in her companies, stating that when you foster an environment people love, they follow you from venture to venture.
• Adaptability is Key: One of the most sought-after traits in employees, according to Donna, is flexibility. She highlights the importance of hiring individuals who are not rigid in their thinking but can pivot and grow with the company.
• Challenges of Raising Capital: Donna recounts the struggles in securing investment for Palm, despite her extensive network. She faced skepticism from investors due to previous failures in handheld computing and the prioritization of internet ventures over hardware.
• Reflective Organizational Planning: Donna shares her strategic approach to planning through biannual offsites, fostering a culture of reflection and adjustment. These sessions not only solidified strategic objectives but also enhanced team camaraderie through collaborative efforts and fun activities.
• Maintaining Integrity and Respect: Donna’s overarching advice is to treat everyone with respect. This principle was foundational in building the cultures of her companies and remains a critical lesson for sustainable leadership.

Quote of the Show:

• “I really appreciated people who could deal with change. Changing circumstances, changing environment, changes within the company, as opposed to people who were rigid." - Donna Dubinsky

Ways to Tune In:

• Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast
• Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/

#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Handspring #Palm

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:30 The Importance of People in Building Companies

03:42 Creating and Maintaining Company Culture

16:00 The Palm Story: Revolutionizing Personal Computing

37:09 Frustrations of Being an Employee

37:44 Challenges of Selling a Company

39:02 Balancing Structure in Big Companies

40:55 Starting Handspring and Product Focus

45:03 Biggest Mistake at Handspring

49:00 Advice for Fast-Growing Companies

50:28 Impact of AI and Market Dynamics

55:05 Personal Background and Career Beginnings

57:33 Big Breaks and Mentorship

01:03:06 Government Service and National Impact

01:07:49 Outro

How do great founders use their best moments, not their hardest ones, to build the future of their company?

In this episode, Jules Maltz shares the mindset that has guided him through decades of backing generational companies like Slack, Dropbox, Grammarly, MuleSoft, G2, and Buddy Media. For Jules, the brightest periods in a company’s journey are the moments to build aggressively: to hire exceptional executives, deepen product moats, and prepare for act two and act three long before the market forces the issue.

Jules also opens up about what he looks for in founders, why authenticity matters more than pitch polish, and how trust is built in the first months of an investor–founder relationship. He reflects on his own misses, the evolution of venture capital, and the emotional clarity that underpins his earliest investment decisions.

Takeaways:

• Authenticity and Passion are Essential: Jules emphasizes the importance of authenticity and passion in founders. He looks for individuals who have a genuine drive and a personal connection to the problem they are solving.
• Beyond the Metrics: When evaluating potential investments, Jules seeks stories that transcend traditional metrics. He recalls his first investment in Twitter, where the pitch focused more on the transformative potential of the platform rather than immediate financial returns.
• Building Trust Early On: Establishing trust during the initial months after an investment is crucial. Jules believes that consistently delivering on promises and being genuinely helpful builds credibility.
• Adapting Communication Styles: Jules adapts his communication style based on the needs of each CEO. Some prefer regular updates, while others might communicate only during key events.
• Sustaining Growth Through Strategic Hiring: Jules advises companies to recruit strong executives and think ahead about their business strategies during periods of growth. By doing so, businesses can better navigate market changes and sustain their growth trajectory.
• Nurturing Relationships for Long-Term Success: Relationships are at the heart of venture capital. Whether it's trust between founders and investors or maintaining connections with past business partners, nurturing these relationships can lead to long-term success and learning.

Quote of the Show:

• “When the sun is shining on your business, that’s a great time to recruit super strong executives and think about act two and act three." - Jules Maltz

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesmaltz/
• Website: https://www.ivp.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast
• Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/

#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #IVP

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:25 Key Traits of Successful Founders

03:52 The Importance of Authenticity

06:17 Evaluating Investment Opportunities

10:59 The Twitter Investment Story

21:57 Building Trust with Founders

27:11 Trusting Your CEO's Vision

29:31 Navigating Hypergrowth and Market Changes

33:53 The Excitement and Challenges of AI Investments

41:51 Teaching and Sharing Venture Capital Insights

47:24 The Role of Trust in Venture Capital

50:35 Biggest Investment Regrets

53:31 Outro

How can you get the most out of your year-end? In this solo episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David explores how leaders can leverage the end of the year for reflection, rallying their troops, and recharging for what lies ahead.

Ways to Tune In:

• Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast
• Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/

#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #DecemberCEOPulse

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:22 Reflect: Assessing Achievements

05:15 Rally: Energizing Your Team

11:14 Recharge: Taking Time to Rest

13:33 Outro