morning everybody so I’m not really good with slides but you might think that
with slides but you might think that
with slides but you might think that innovation in my company where we make
innovation in my company where we make
innovation in my company where we make games would apply to the games that
games would apply to the games that
games would apply to the games that there’s a lot of innovation in product
there’s a lot of innovation in product
there’s a lot of innovation in product development and that’s true but in
development and that’s true but in
development and that’s true but in addition to that in a company I can tell
addition to that in a company I can tell
addition to that in a company I can tell you from growing it from day one without
you from growing it from day one without
you from growing it from day one without one single piece of paper to start with
one single piece of paper to start with
one single piece of paper to start with to year 32 requires a lot of innovation
to year 32 requires a lot of innovation
to year 32 requires a lot of innovation in every single part of the company even
in every single part of the company even
in every single part of the company even in accounting so accounting you really
in accounting so accounting you really
in accounting so accounting you really don’t want to be do creative accounting
don’t want to be do creative accounting
don’t want to be do creative accounting because that would not be a good thing
because that would not be a good thing
because that would not be a good thing but you can innovate on the tools that
but you can innovate on the tools that
but you can innovate on the tools that you use to do that accounting and so you
you use to do that accounting and so you
you use to do that accounting and so you can do a lot of things with efficiencies
can do a lot of things with efficiencies
can do a lot of things with efficiencies so what do I do every day to face how I
so what do I do every day to face how I
so what do I do every day to face how I navigate the challenges first of all I
navigate the challenges first of all I
navigate the challenges first of all I don’t do it alone but leadership is
don’t do it alone but leadership is
don’t do it alone but leadership is really required I’ve learned that I can
really required I’ve learned that I can
really required I’ve learned that I can say now that I’m an experienced kind
say now that I’m an experienced kind
say now that I’m an experienced kind passionate and confident leader and it
passionate and confident leader and it
passionate and confident leader and it feels really good but it took a long
feels really good but it took a long
feels really good but it took a long time to get there so here we go
time to get there so here we go
time to get there so here we go take a look at this app you can buy this
take a look at this app you can buy this
take a look at this app you can buy this on your phone for two dollars you can
on your phone for two dollars you can
on your phone for two dollars you can buy lots of apps for two dollars you can
buy lots of apps for two dollars you can
buy lots of apps for two dollars you can get apps for free so that’s really tough
get apps for free so that’s really tough
get apps for free so that’s really tough competition for a company that makes
competition for a company that makes
competition for a company that makes games itself for an average of twenty
games itself for an average of twenty
games itself for an average of twenty dollars in the store this the app market
dollars in the store this the app market
dollars in the store this the app market I know has been around for a while but
I know has been around for a while but
I know has been around for a while but I’m going back in time a little bit but
I’m going back in time a little bit but
I’m going back in time a little bit but more on this in a minute I think you’ll
more on this in a minute I think you’ll
more on this in a minute I think you’ll get a kick out of this this is Bill and
get a kick out of this this is Bill and
get a kick out of this this is Bill and I in 1984 we met each other when we were
I in 1984 we met each other when we were
I in 1984 we met each other when we were 28 we started dating we moved in
28 we started dating we moved in
28 we started dating we moved in together we bought a house and we
together we bought a house and we
together we bought a house and we started our business within one year
started our business within one year
started our business within one year when we met now some people call that
when we met now some people call that
when we met now some people call that innovative we personally call it a
innovative we personally call it a
innovative we personally call it a little crazy we are still married
little crazy we are still married
little crazy we are still married believe it or not and we have raised two
believe it or not and we have raised two
believe it or not and we have raised two amazing sons and really grown a business
amazing sons and really grown a business
amazing sons and really grown a business there are a lot of similarities in both
there are a lot of similarities in both
there are a lot of similarities in both of those things takes a lot of nurturing
of those things takes a lot of nurturing
of those things takes a lot of nurturing so a lot of people say that when you
so a lot of people say that when you
so a lot of people say that when you when an entrepreneur starts a company
when an entrepreneur starts a company
when an entrepreneur starts a company they can only take it so far and we
they can only take it so far and we
they can only take it so far and we believed that so we were encouraged to
believed that so we were encouraged to
believed that so we were encouraged to bring in the professionals now by this
bring in the professionals now by this
bring in the professionals now by this time in the mid-90s we already been in
time in the mid-90s we already been in
time in the mid-90s we already been in the Inc 500 four years in a row it was a
the Inc 500 four years in a row it was a
the Inc 500 four years in a row it was a big accomplishment it wasn’t something
big accomplishment it wasn’t something
big accomplishment it wasn’t something we chased but it’s something that
we chased but it’s something that
we chased but it’s something that happened so we’re never been cocky but
happened so we’re never been cocky but
happened so we’re never been cocky but we felt well we kind of think we know
we felt well we kind of think we know
we felt well we kind of think we know what we’re doing but anyway we fell for
what we’re doing but anyway we fell for
what we’re doing but anyway we fell for it and we went out and we got the
it and we went out and we got the
it and we went out and we got the professionals so why didn’t we put our
professionals so why didn’t we put our
professionals so why didn’t we put our trust in ourselves
trust in ourselves
trust in ourselves and our team it’s only sometimes when
and our team it’s only sometimes when
and our team it’s only sometimes when you look back that you understand these
you look back that you understand these
you look back that you understand these things we thought there must be people
things we thought there must be people
things we thought there must be people out there that knew more than we did so
out there that knew more than we did so
out there that knew more than we did so we brought the professionals in and it
we brought the professionals in and it
we brought the professionals in and it didn’t work they were very nice people
didn’t work they were very nice people
didn’t work they were very nice people but really what happened is and
but really what happened is and
but really what happened is and sometimes consultants do this they came
sometimes consultants do this they came
sometimes consultants do this they came in with their knowledge of what they had
in with their knowledge of what they had
in with their knowledge of what they had done where they had been but when they
done where they had been but when they
done where they had been but when they came to our company they didn’t take the
came to our company they didn’t take the
came to our company they didn’t take the time and maybe it was our fault too to
time and maybe it was our fault too to
time and maybe it was our fault too to understand what think fun was really
understand what think fun was really
understand what think fun was really about what were we trying to do we
about what were we trying to do we
about what were we trying to do we weren’t trying to just raise revenues we
weren’t trying to just raise revenues we
weren’t trying to just raise revenues we were trying to get our products which
were trying to get our products which
were trying to get our products which are the byproduct of scientists
are the byproduct of scientists
are the byproduct of scientists mathematicians and teachers and even our
mathematicians and teachers and even our
mathematicians and teachers and even our son Sam who created a game and got a
son Sam who created a game and got a
son Sam who created a game and got a patent when he was 12 we’re trying to
patent when he was 12 we’re trying to
patent when he was 12 we’re trying to bring those to the world and the
bring those to the world and the
bring those to the world and the revenues will follow if you do that at
revenues will follow if you do that at
revenues will follow if you do that at least in our minds well anyway it didn’t
least in our minds well anyway it didn’t
least in our minds well anyway it didn’t work we faced a big choice we said okay
work we faced a big choice we said okay
work we faced a big choice we said okay bring in more professionals go back to
bring in more professionals go back to
bring in more professionals go back to doing things the way we did before but
doing things the way we did before but
doing things the way we did before but we decided to pick door number three I
we decided to pick door number three I
we decided to pick door number three I decided to put our trust entirely in our
decided to put our trust entirely in our
decided to put our trust entirely in our team so this is only some of them they
team so this is only some of them they
team so this is only some of them they like to dress up as game pieces for
like to dress up as game pieces for
like to dress up as game pieces for Halloween our office gets transformed
Halloween our office gets transformed
Halloween our office gets transformed for every holiday Halloween was it
for every holiday Halloween was it
for every holiday Halloween was it particularly scary in our office things
particularly scary in our office things
particularly scary in our office things spiders jumping out at you and you know
spiders jumping out at you and you know
spiders jumping out at you and you know all the while we’re still getting
all the while we’re still getting
all the while we’re still getting business done because the fall is a very
business done because the fall is a very
business done because the fall is a very busy time in a toy company in a game
busy time in a toy company in a game
busy time in a toy company in a game company so I’m going to talk about
company so I’m going to talk about
company so I’m going to talk about disruption now I love Amazon in fact I
disruption now I love Amazon in fact I
disruption now I love Amazon in fact I was talking to someone backstage about
was talking to someone backstage about
was talking to someone backstage about the fact that on our website we
the fact that on our website we
the fact that on our website we instead of doing our own e-commerce we
instead of doing our own e-commerce we
instead of doing our own e-commerce we actually have buttons that take you
actually have buttons that take you
actually have buttons that take you straight to Amazon because that’s easier
straight to Amazon because that’s easier
straight to Amazon because that’s easier for people it’s what I want so we just
for people it’s what I want so we just
for people it’s what I want so we just that’s what we do we do a huge business
that’s what we do we do a huge business
that’s what we do we do a huge business with Amazon they’re an incredible
with Amazon they’re an incredible
with Amazon they’re an incredible partner but what happened in the early
partner but what happened in the early
partner but what happened in the early days is we found a company like us
days is we found a company like us
days is we found a company like us selling to neighborhood toy stores we
selling to neighborhood toy stores we
selling to neighborhood toy stores we really value that business when the
really value that business when the
really value that business when the stuff went online it started getting
stuff went online it started getting
stuff went online it started getting discounted and then there were resellers
discounted and then there were resellers
discounted and then there were resellers and then people were buying from us who
and then people were buying from us who
and then people were buying from us who didn’t really have a store we didn’t
didn’t really have a store we didn’t
didn’t really have a store we didn’t know that and they were just reselling
know that and they were just reselling
know that and they were just reselling on Amazon and then the prices were
on Amazon and then the prices were
on Amazon and then the prices were getting driven down yeah you might say
getting driven down yeah you might say
getting driven down yeah you might say as a consumer yeah that’s great but
as a consumer yeah that’s great but
as a consumer yeah that’s great but actually along the way in business
actually along the way in business
actually along the way in business everybody needs to make a little bit of
everybody needs to make a little bit of
everybody needs to make a little bit of money or you don’t get to keep
money or you don’t get to keep
money or you don’t get to keep innovating and that’s just a fact
innovating and that’s just a fact
innovating and that’s just a fact so I’m a problem-solver I absolutely
so I’m a problem-solver I absolutely
so I’m a problem-solver I absolutely love solving problems I will take apart
love solving problems I will take apart
love solving problems I will take apart my dryer if a sock gets stuck in it
my dryer if a sock gets stuck in it
my dryer if a sock gets stuck in it so here’s what we came up with and this
so here’s what we came up with and this
so here’s what we came up with and this was very bold and we did run it by our
was very bold and we did run it by our
was very bold and we did run it by our attorney to make sure we were allowed to
attorney to make sure we were allowed to
attorney to make sure we were allowed to do this but we created this policy and
do this but we created this policy and
do this but we created this policy and we stuck to it and we turned away a lot
we stuck to it and we turned away a lot
we stuck to it and we turned away a lot of business we’re not a gigantic company
of business we’re not a gigantic company
of business we’re not a gigantic company we’re a medium-sized company to turn
we’re a medium-sized company to turn
we’re a medium-sized company to turn away a hundred thousand dollars of
away a hundred thousand dollars of
away a hundred thousand dollars of business is a big deal especially if you
business is a big deal especially if you
business is a big deal especially if you are a sales person and your compensation
are a sales person and your compensation
are a sales person and your compensation is based partially on the revenues so we
is based partially on the revenues so we
is based partially on the revenues so we had to change that too because we didn’t
had to change that too because we didn’t
had to change that too because we didn’t want to demotivate anybody this was a
want to demotivate anybody this was a
want to demotivate anybody this was a great decision for us it was very bold
great decision for us it was very bold
great decision for us it was very bold we lost some business but we feel like
we lost some business but we feel like
we lost some business but we feel like we got quality over quantity and we were
we got quality over quantity and we were
we got quality over quantity and we were protecting our brand which we really
protecting our brand which we really
protecting our brand which we really care about so back to the challenge of
care about so back to the challenge of
care about so back to the challenge of competing in the app market you can get
competing in the app market you can get
competing in the app market you can get an app for free or you can buy a game
an app for free or you can buy a game
an app for free or you can buy a game for $30 they don’t offer the same things
for $30 they don’t offer the same things
for $30 they don’t offer the same things and so when we started thinking about
and so when we started thinking about
and so when we started thinking about this and thinking about innovation we
this and thinking about innovation we
this and thinking about innovation we saw it okay what do we do we need to
saw it okay what do we do we need to
saw it okay what do we do we need to create some games that have
create some games that have
create some games that have characteristics that you can’t duplicate
characteristics that you can’t duplicate
characteristics that you can’t duplicate in an app and that was a way that we
in an app and that was a way that we
in an app and that was a way that we felt we could make some progress so what
felt we could make some progress so what
felt we could make some progress so what we do when we create games as I
we do when we create games as I
we do when we create games as I mentioned we work with teachers
mentioned we work with teachers
mentioned we work with teachers mathematicians scientists you can go to
mathematicians scientists you can go to
mathematicians scientists you can go to our website and ring they’ll read the
our website and ring they’ll read the
our website and ring they’ll read the long story but
long story but
long story but that’s the joy that we get is we we take
that’s the joy that we get is we we take
that’s the joy that we get is we we take these complicated things and we make
these complicated things and we make
these complicated things and we make them fun and accessible we call it think
them fun and accessible we call it think
them fun and accessible we call it think fun izing it’s kind of hard to say but
fun izing it’s kind of hard to say but
fun izing it’s kind of hard to say but we kind of joke about that in the
we kind of joke about that in the
we kind of joke about that in the company so one of the first ones people
company so one of the first ones people
company so one of the first ones people might recognize rush hour
might recognize rush hour
might recognize rush hour it’s our crown jewel a gentleman named
it’s our crown jewel a gentleman named
it’s our crown jewel a gentleman named nob Yoshioka Hara brought this to us
nob Yoshioka Hara brought this to us
nob Yoshioka Hara brought this to us from Japan now remember we started in
from Japan now remember we started in
from Japan now remember we started in our basement so when I say things like
our basement so when I say things like
our basement so when I say things like that it’s not that big a deal it’s you
that it’s not that big a deal it’s you
that it’s not that big a deal it’s you know things happen over time but rush
know things happen over time but rush
know things happen over time but rush hour started out as a sliding block
hour started out as a sliding block
hour started out as a sliding block puzzle like the 15 puzzle sort of if
puzzle like the 15 puzzle sort of if
puzzle like the 15 puzzle sort of if you’ve ever something like that
you’ve ever something like that
you’ve ever something like that our innovation was to create challenges
our innovation was to create challenges
our innovation was to create challenges that went for beginner to intermediate
that went for beginner to intermediate
that went for beginner to intermediate to advanced and to make it more
to advanced and to make it more
to advanced and to make it more three-dimensional and it’s been a hit
three-dimensional and it’s been a hit
three-dimensional and it’s been a hit for over 20 years maybe 25 honestly I
for over 20 years maybe 25 honestly I
for over 20 years maybe 25 honestly I can’t even remember but the thing about
can’t even remember but the thing about
can’t even remember but the thing about rush hour is it’s even more fun as an
rush hour is it’s even more fun as an
rush hour is it’s even more fun as an app because you can do things like what
app because you can do things like what
app because you can do things like what minimum moves you can watch it solve
minimum moves you can watch it solve
minimum moves you can watch it solve itself you can do things like that and
itself you can do things like that and
itself you can do things like that and actually my older son Sam convinced us
actually my older son Sam convinced us
actually my older son Sam convinced us to pay him to learn how to program by
to pay him to learn how to program by
to pay him to learn how to program by programming rush hour for the App Store
programming rush hour for the App Store
programming rush hour for the App Store and he’s now a pretty world-level coder
and he’s now a pretty world-level coder
and he’s now a pretty world-level coder guy so what are we gonna do we’ve got to
guy so what are we gonna do we’ve got to
guy so what are we gonna do we’ve got to do something where the physical product
do something where the physical product
do something where the physical product can’t be duplicated well there were a
can’t be duplicated well there were a
can’t be duplicated well there were a couple of different directions we
couple of different directions we
couple of different directions we thought about jumping into the app
thought about jumping into the app
thought about jumping into the app market but it wasn’t really in our DNA
market but it wasn’t really in our DNA
market but it wasn’t really in our DNA we didn’t have the technical skills and
we didn’t have the technical skills and
we didn’t have the technical skills and the know-how and not that we didn’t want
the know-how and not that we didn’t want
the know-how and not that we didn’t want to maybe do something new but we decided
to maybe do something new but we decided
to maybe do something new but we decided not to do that we did shift a little bit
not to do that we did shift a little bit
not to do that we did shift a little bit to younger ages where people are more
to younger ages where people are more
to younger ages where people are more concerned about screen time but then we
concerned about screen time but then we
concerned about screen time but then we decided to stick to what we had really
decided to stick to what we had really
decided to stick to what we had really innovated as a concept of this
innovated as a concept of this
innovated as a concept of this multi-level challenge and what did we do
multi-level challenge and what did we do
multi-level challenge and what did we do well we decided to come up with laser
well we decided to come up with laser
well we decided to come up with laser maze and laser maze is $30 not $20 so we
maze and laser maze is $30 not $20 so we
maze and laser maze is $30 not $20 so we went up in price but here’s what this
went up in price but here’s what this
went up in price but here’s what this did and there are some of these on the
did and there are some of these on the
did and there are some of these on the activity break you can play you cannot
activity break you can play you cannot
activity break you can play you cannot duplicate the fun of using a real laser
duplicate the fun of using a real laser
duplicate the fun of using a real laser to hit beam splitters and mirrors to try
to hit beam splitters and mirrors to try
to hit beam splitters and mirrors to try to get to a target and there are 40
to get to a target and there are 40
to get to a target and there are 40 challenges and you
challenges and you
challenges and you can’t do that in a nap we have it online
can’t do that in a nap we have it online
can’t do that in a nap we have it online to play on our website just to try it
to play on our website just to try it
to play on our website just to try it out but would that’s what we did because
out but would that’s what we did because
out but would that’s what we did because of that laser maze was followed by
of that laser maze was followed by
of that laser maze was followed by gravity maze our business has actually
gravity maze our business has actually
gravity maze our business has actually doubled in the last two years in the
doubled in the last two years in the
doubled in the last two years in the face of a lot of competition where
face of a lot of competition where
face of a lot of competition where people in the App World certainly are
people in the App World certainly are
people in the App World certainly are knocking rush hour off all the time and
knocking rush hour off all the time and
knocking rush hour off all the time and in the physical games we get knocked off
in the physical games we get knocked off
in the physical games we get knocked off all over the world now I mean we are a
all over the world now I mean we are a
all over the world now I mean we are a global company we’re in 50 countries and
global company we’re in 50 countries and
global company we’re in 50 countries and it’s very frustrating to see your
it’s very frustrating to see your
it’s very frustrating to see your product get copied especially with
product get copied especially with
product get copied especially with inferior materials so that’s what we did
inferior materials so that’s what we did
inferior materials so that’s what we did because of this kind of innovation we
because of this kind of innovation we
because of this kind of innovation we make things harder on ourselves because
make things harder on ourselves because
make things harder on ourselves because as I was getting ready for this talk and
as I was getting ready for this talk and
as I was getting ready for this talk and I have to thank Susan for inviting me I
I have to thank Susan for inviting me I
I have to thank Susan for inviting me I realized that you know I think I think
realized that you know I think I think
realized that you know I think I think we’re getting a little stale again just
we’re getting a little stale again just
we’re getting a little stale again just internally you have to try to stay ahead
internally you have to try to stay ahead
internally you have to try to stay ahead of things and not just for the sake of
of things and not just for the sake of
of things and not just for the sake of it but because the world changes so I do
it but because the world changes so I do
it but because the world changes so I do thank Susan for pushing me because I’ve
thank Susan for pushing me because I’ve
thank Susan for pushing me because I’ve been thinking about nothing about
been thinking about nothing about
been thinking about nothing about innovation for the last couple weeks and
innovation for the last couple weeks and
innovation for the last couple weeks and when I go back my team is gonna be very
when I go back my team is gonna be very
when I go back my team is gonna be very surprised at all the new ideas I’ve
surprised at all the new ideas I’ve
surprised at all the new ideas I’ve thought about to push them in marketing
thought about to push them in marketing
thought about to push them in marketing and product and everything else but
and product and everything else but
and product and everything else but they’ll be happy but innovation for us
they’ll be happy but innovation for us
they’ll be happy but innovation for us is not just about business things and
is not just about business things and
is not just about business things and the company it’s really about a personal
the company it’s really about a personal
the company it’s really about a personal passion for me so I get to you know have
passion for me so I get to you know have
passion for me so I get to you know have this great company I think it’s a
this great company I think it’s a
this great company I think it’s a miracle every day that we survive the
miracle every day that we survive the
miracle every day that we survive the last 32 years I can’t quite believe it
last 32 years I can’t quite believe it
last 32 years I can’t quite believe it sometimes but all of that is fun but
sometimes but all of that is fun but
sometimes but all of that is fun but then I also get to really work on the
then I also get to really work on the
then I also get to really work on the DNA of our company and culture is
DNA of our company and culture is
DNA of our company and culture is incredibly important to us imagine you
incredibly important to us imagine you
incredibly important to us imagine you all have families in one way or another
all have families in one way or another
all have families in one way or another and so does everybody at our office so
and so does everybody at our office so
and so does everybody at our office so how we innovated in the early days is we
how we innovated in the early days is we
how we innovated in the early days is we took tiny steps every day making
took tiny steps every day making
took tiny steps every day making decisions that we’re just trying to keep
decisions that we’re just trying to keep
decisions that we’re just trying to keep us going like just to stay in business
us going like just to stay in business
us going like just to stay in business you know no income for three years as a
you know no income for three years as a
you know no income for three years as a as a really tough thing we would team
as a really tough thing we would team
as a really tough thing we would team with competitors and share customer
with competitors and share customer
with competitors and share customer lists nobody does that these days but
lists nobody does that these days but
lists nobody does that these days but that was the 80s
that was the 80s
that was the 80s and Hades were different always quality
and Hades were different always quality
and Hades were different always quality over quantity always no compromise with
over quantity always no compromise with
over quantity always no compromise with our games you either get it in a box
our games you either get it in a box
our games you either get it in a box that you want to keep or you get a bag
that you want to keep or you get a bag
that you want to keep or you get a bag to throw the game into because I’m a mom
to throw the game into because I’m a mom
to throw the game into because I’m a mom and that and parents want that and it
and that and parents want that and it
and that and parents want that and it makes it easier so if our margins go
makes it easier so if our margins go
makes it easier so if our margins go down that’s okay we’re gonna deliver on
down that’s okay we’re gonna deliver on
down that’s okay we’re gonna deliver on that promise and we want you to get more
that promise and we want you to get more
that promise and we want you to get more than you thought you paid for when you
than you thought you paid for when you
than you thought you paid for when you get it home which is kind of opposite of
get it home which is kind of opposite of
get it home which is kind of opposite of some things that you buy so that’s we’re
some things that you buy so that’s we’re
some things that you buy so that’s we’re very proud of that but innovation can
very proud of that but innovation can
very proud of that but innovation can come in really small steps but in my
come in really small steps but in my
come in really small steps but in my mind they add up to big strides and
mind they add up to big strides and
mind they add up to big strides and sometimes it’s not until you look back
sometimes it’s not until you look back
sometimes it’s not until you look back where you say oh that makes sense I must
where you say oh that makes sense I must
where you say oh that makes sense I must have known what I was doing so you kind
have known what I was doing so you kind
have known what I was doing so you kind of have to trust yourself that maybe you
of have to trust yourself that maybe you
of have to trust yourself that maybe you do but you might not know it till later
do but you might not know it till later
do but you might not know it till later so just that’s one of my things so Oh a
so just that’s one of my things so Oh a
so just that’s one of my things so Oh a little over about 20 years ago I lost
little over about 20 years ago I lost
little over about 20 years ago I lost one of my sisters to a very rare cancer
one of my sisters to a very rare cancer
one of my sisters to a very rare cancer we were very close and when it happened
we were very close and when it happened
we were very close and when it happened it was it was kind of fast and it was
it was it was kind of fast and it was
it was it was kind of fast and it was sudden and it was very sad now the
sudden and it was very sad now the
sudden and it was very sad now the company always it was like you know we
company always it was like you know we
company always it was like you know we felt we had to be there every day or was
felt we had to be there every day or was
felt we had to be there every day or was just not gonna work not because our
just not gonna work not because our
just not gonna work not because our people weren’t good but because we kind
people weren’t good but because we kind
people weren’t good but because we kind of run it lean and things like that but
of run it lean and things like that but
of run it lean and things like that but I dropped everything so many times to
I dropped everything so many times to
I dropped everything so many times to fly out and be with her and to be with
fly out and be with her and to be with
fly out and be with her and to be with her family and the reason I’m telling
her family and the reason I’m telling
her family and the reason I’m telling you this is because the company survived
you this is because the company survived
you this is because the company survived everybody stepped up we had a great
everybody stepped up we had a great
everybody stepped up we had a great culture everybody knew that they needed
culture everybody knew that they needed
culture everybody knew that they needed to do fill in the you know the blanks
to do fill in the you know the blanks
to do fill in the you know the blanks and luckily cell phones also had come
and luckily cell phones also had come
and luckily cell phones also had come along by that time so babies we have so
along by that time so babies we have so
along by that time so babies we have so many babies being born not at the
many babies being born not at the
many babies being born not at the company but by the women who and you
company but by the women who and you
company but by the women who and you know some places I worked before we
know some places I worked before we
know some places I worked before we started this where if somebody said they
started this where if somebody said they
started this where if somebody said they were having a baby people are like oh
were having a baby people are like oh
were having a baby people are like oh you know I think somebody recently said
you know I think somebody recently said
you know I think somebody recently said it’s an inconvenience for a company well
it’s an inconvenience for a company well
it’s an inconvenience for a company well guess what it’s not and we don’t call it
guess what it’s not and we don’t call it
guess what it’s not and we don’t call it maternity leave if we call it baby leave
maternity leave if we call it baby leave
maternity leave if we call it baby leave because in the employment manuals you
because in the employment manuals you
because in the employment manuals you get maternity leave is a disability and
get maternity leave is a disability and
get maternity leave is a disability and I don’t really think it is so now we
I don’t really think it is so now we
I don’t really think it is so now we have a new dad just in the last week our
have a new dad just in the last week our
have a new dad just in the last week our art director Chris they had a baby and
art director Chris they had a baby and
art director Chris they had a baby and it was the first time and it might
it was the first time and it might
it was the first time and it might be the second but I think is the first
be the second but I think is the first
be the second but I think is the first time that a dad was there so we’re like
time that a dad was there so we’re like
time that a dad was there so we’re like oh we have to create a policy and I get
oh we have to create a policy and I get
oh we have to create a policy and I get to do that I get to say yes I get to say
to do that I get to say yes I get to say
to do that I get to say yes I get to say yes you have baby leave you don’t have
yes you have baby leave you don’t have
yes you have baby leave you don’t have as much as your wife because or you know
as much as your wife because or you know
as much as your wife because or you know as a woman because you didn’t actually
as a woman because you didn’t actually
as a woman because you didn’t actually deliver the baby but you should stay
deliver the baby but you should stay
deliver the baby but you should stay home and be with that baby whenever you
home and be with that baby whenever you
home and be with that baby whenever you want to so I’m really proud of that a
want to so I’m really proud of that a
want to so I’m really proud of that a couple other examples people move we
couple other examples people move we
couple other examples people move we keep them if they’re good and so I’ve
keep them if they’re good and so I’ve
keep them if they’re good and so I’ve had at least three or four occasions
had at least three or four occasions
had at least three or four occasions when someone has come to me and said
when someone has come to me and said
when someone has come to me and said well here’s my last night it’s not
well here’s my last night it’s not
well here’s my last night it’s not important but we’ll leave it up there oh
important but we’ll leave it up there oh
important but we’ll leave it up there oh my my father’s gonna give us a house and
my my father’s gonna give us a house and
my my father’s gonna give us a house and we can move back to where I grew up and
we can move back to where I grew up and
we can move back to where I grew up and blah blah blah and I’m like we don’t
blah blah blah and I’m like we don’t
blah blah blah and I’m like we don’t want to lose you and so we have that
want to lose you and so we have that
want to lose you and so we have that conversation and we figure it out and we
conversation and we figure it out and we
conversation and we figure it out and we weren’t set up originally as a company
weren’t set up originally as a company
weren’t set up originally as a company that had you know distance workers but
that had you know distance workers but
that had you know distance workers but now we have four and it works fine it
now we have four and it works fine it
now we have four and it works fine it just works fine so you adapt and so the
just works fine so you adapt and so the
just works fine so you adapt and so the point is that I am lucky I get to create
point is that I am lucky I get to create
point is that I am lucky I get to create these things I don’t have to be doing
these things I don’t have to be doing
these things I don’t have to be doing anything for anybody at my company that
anything for anybody at my company that
anything for anybody at my company that I wouldn’t want someone to do for me and
I wouldn’t want someone to do for me and
I wouldn’t want someone to do for me and it’s it’s really a joy and we’re never
it’s it’s really a joy and we’re never
it’s it’s really a joy and we’re never on autopilot as I mentioned I’ve got a
on autopilot as I mentioned I’ve got a
on autopilot as I mentioned I’ve got a ton of ideas about things when I go back
ton of ideas about things when I go back
ton of ideas about things when I go back so that’ll be interesting so I’m gonna I
so that’ll be interesting so I’m gonna I
so that’ll be interesting so I’m gonna I wasn’t sure if I was going to share this
wasn’t sure if I was going to share this
wasn’t sure if I was going to share this with you but I am because its current so
with you but I am because its current so
with you but I am because its current so now we’re 32 years in companies in great
now we’re 32 years in companies in great
now we’re 32 years in companies in great shape I actually can go exercise for an
shape I actually can go exercise for an
shape I actually can go exercise for an hour three days a week and you know
hour three days a week and you know
hour three days a week and you know everybody everybody’s doing really well
everybody everybody’s doing really well
everybody everybody’s doing really well but in the last six months I was
but in the last six months I was
but in the last six months I was diagnosed with something called
diagnosed with something called
diagnosed with something called smoldering myeloma and it’s a precursor
smoldering myeloma and it’s a precursor
smoldering myeloma and it’s a precursor to multiple myeloma which is blood
to multiple myeloma which is blood
to multiple myeloma which is blood cancer now I’m really lucky I don’t have
cancer now I’m really lucky I don’t have
cancer now I’m really lucky I don’t have any symptoms it was a complete fluke
any symptoms it was a complete fluke
any symptoms it was a complete fluke that I learned this so I do feel lucky
that I learned this so I do feel lucky
that I learned this so I do feel lucky so one day in my executive meeting I was
so one day in my executive meeting I was
so one day in my executive meeting I was thinking you know I’m the one who talks
thinking you know I’m the one who talks
thinking you know I’m the one who talks about transparency all the time I’m the
about transparency all the time I’m the
about transparency all the time I’m the leader of this company I mean bill is
leader of this company I mean bill is
leader of this company I mean bill is there but he’s a creative wacko and he
there but he’s a creative wacko and he
there but he’s a creative wacko and he doesn’t want to do all the stuff that I
doesn’t want to do all the stuff that I
doesn’t want to do all the stuff that I do I mean he would go insane so thank
do I mean he would go insane so thank
do I mean he would go insane so thank him for the products and thank our
him for the products and thank our
him for the products and thank our product team anyway so I decided
product team anyway so I decided
product team anyway so I decided to share this very spontaneously and it
to share this very spontaneously and it
to share this very spontaneously and it was interesting because bill kind of got
was interesting because bill kind of got
was interesting because bill kind of got a tear in his eye and I’m like that’s
a tear in his eye and I’m like that’s
a tear in his eye and I’m like that’s not why I’m telling you this I’m telling
not why I’m telling you this I’m telling
not why I’m telling you this I’m telling you because most of the people on that
you because most of the people on that
you because most of the people on that team were there when we brought the
team were there when we brought the
team were there when we brought the experts in so if something were to happy
experts in so if something were to happy
experts in so if something were to happy happened and I was have to would have to
happened and I was have to would have to
happened and I was have to would have to leave for a year or do something at
leave for a year or do something at
leave for a year or do something at focus on my health which is what I would
focus on my health which is what I would
focus on my health which is what I would encourage anybody to do what do you guys
encourage anybody to do what do you guys
encourage anybody to do what do you guys want to do you want to bring in an
want to do you want to bring in an
want to do you want to bring in an expert or should we figure out a model
expert or should we figure out a model
expert or should we figure out a model that can work for us should we figure
that can work for us should we figure
that can work for us should we figure out something where maybe one of you
out something where maybe one of you
out something where maybe one of you will rise to be the CEO Oh temporarily
will rise to be the CEO Oh temporarily
will rise to be the CEO Oh temporarily or permanently but maybe you won’t want
or permanently but maybe you won’t want
or permanently but maybe you won’t want to so now the challenge to them and the
to so now the challenge to them and the
to so now the challenge to them and the thing we’re gonna figure out in the next
thing we’re gonna figure out in the next
thing we’re gonna figure out in the next month and not because their urgency I’m
month and not because their urgency I’m
month and not because their urgency I’m totally fine is just because we should
totally fine is just because we should
totally fine is just because we should figure it out I mean frankly what if
figure it out I mean frankly what if
figure it out I mean frankly what if something happens and I was hit by a bus
something happens and I was hit by a bus
something happens and I was hit by a bus I really believe in having things
I really believe in having things
I really believe in having things organized so people can step in and take
organized so people can step in and take
organized so people can step in and take care of it because the company is bigger
care of it because the company is bigger
care of it because the company is bigger than me it’s bigger than bill now and it
than me it’s bigger than bill now and it
than me it’s bigger than bill now and it took a long time to get there so last
took a long time to get there so last
took a long time to get there so last thing I want to say is that I think
thing I want to say is that I think
thing I want to say is that I think we’re all innovators I think the way
we’re all innovators I think the way
we’re all innovators I think the way I’ve thought about it as I prepared for
I’ve thought about it as I prepared for
I’ve thought about it as I prepared for this was every decision you make almost
this was every decision you make almost
this was every decision you make almost in each of you sitting next to each
in each of you sitting next to each
in each of you sitting next to each other you have no idea how innovative
other you have no idea how innovative
other you have no idea how innovative the next person is because it might not
the next person is because it might not
the next person is because it might not be in the same way you are and there are
be in the same way you are and there are
be in the same way you are and there are speakers here you know we have a Nobel
speakers here you know we have a Nobel
speakers here you know we have a Nobel Prize speaker I was sitting next to and
Prize speaker I was sitting next to and
Prize speaker I was sitting next to and I’m like wow I’m like a game company and
I’m like wow I’m like a game company and
I’m like wow I’m like a game company and I get but we just all do different
I get but we just all do different
I get but we just all do different things so that’s what I have to say to
things so that’s what I have to say to
things so that’s what I have to say to you today I really appreciate being able
you today I really appreciate being able
you today I really appreciate being able to be here
to be here
to be here [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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