so I’ve spent 35 years of my life trying to disrupt a single specific market
to disrupt a single specific market
to disrupt a single specific market software market for computer-aided
software market for computer-aided
software market for computer-aided design software or CAD software as we
design software or CAD software as we
design software or CAD software as we call it I’ve worked in this field since
call it I’ve worked in this field since
call it I’ve worked in this field since I was literally a teenager and along the
I was literally a teenager and along the
I was literally a teenager and along the way I’ve started three different
way I’ve started three different
way I’ve started three different companies in CAD software my first
companies in CAD software my first
companies in CAD software my first company premise you’ve probably never
company premise you’ve probably never
company premise you’ve probably never heard of my second company SolidWorks I
heard of my second company SolidWorks I
heard of my second company SolidWorks I started in 1993 with the goal of
started in 1993 with the goal of
started in 1993 with the goal of disrupting the CAD marketplace in
disrupting the CAD marketplace in
disrupting the CAD marketplace in providing a new solution to CAD users
providing a new solution to CAD users
providing a new solution to CAD users around the world and we succeeded in
around the world and we succeeded in
around the world and we succeeded in doing it SolidWorks I think truly
doing it SolidWorks I think truly
doing it SolidWorks I think truly disrupted the market and over the 20
disrupted the market and over the 20
disrupted the market and over the 20 years almost 20 years I was there
years almost 20 years I was there
years almost 20 years I was there SolidWorks rose to have millions of
SolidWorks rose to have millions of
SolidWorks rose to have millions of users create billions of dollars in
users create billions of dollars in
users create billions of dollars in revenue and billions of dollars in value
revenue and billions of dollars in value
revenue and billions of dollars in value and most importantly I think it have
and most importantly I think it have
and most importantly I think it have improved the way that millions of
improved the way that millions of
improved the way that millions of products around the world have been
products around the world have been
products around the world have been designed and manufactured and that’s
designed and manufactured and that’s
designed and manufactured and that’s most the most gratifying part of the
most the most gratifying part of the
most the most gratifying part of the disruption but after 20 years at
disruption but after 20 years at
disruption but after 20 years at SolidWorks
SolidWorks
SolidWorks I could see that the market was ready
I could see that the market was ready
I could see that the market was ready for a new generation of disruption and
for a new generation of disruption and
for a new generation of disruption and so I left and I started a new company
so I left and I started a new company
so I left and I started a new company called on shape with the goal to once
called on shape with the goal to once
called on shape with the goal to once again disrupt the CAD market and do
again disrupt the CAD market and do
again disrupt the CAD market and do something good for the design teams of
something good for the design teams of
something good for the design teams of the world this time built on cloud web
the world this time built on cloud web
the world this time built on cloud web and mobile technology to respond to the
and mobile technology to respond to the
and mobile technology to respond to the needs of modern product design teams now
needs of modern product design teams now
needs of modern product design teams now I’m not sure everyone knows too much
I’m not sure everyone knows too much
I’m not sure everyone knows too much about CAD software some of you do and
about CAD software some of you do and
about CAD software some of you do and some you don’t but you’ll you’ll kind of
some you don’t but you’ll you’ll kind of
some you don’t but you’ll you’ll kind of infer along the way what it’s about
infer along the way what it’s about
infer along the way what it’s about so I’m here today to talk to you about
so I’m here today to talk to you about
so I’m here today to talk to you about how to think like a disruptor to fit the
how to think like a disruptor to fit the
how to think like a disruptor to fit the theme of the day of disruption what have
theme of the day of disruption what have
theme of the day of disruption what have I learned in my 35 years in the CAD
I learned in my 35 years in the CAD
I learned in my 35 years in the CAD market about how to think what kinds of
market about how to think what kinds of
market about how to think what kinds of thinking processes do disruptors use
thinking processes do disruptors use
thinking processes do disruptors use what have I used and what have the
what have I used and what have the
what have I used and what have the companies the many other companies I’ve
companies the many other companies I’ve
companies the many other companies I’ve seen I’ve been a board member and
seen I’ve been a board member and
seen I’ve been a board member and advisor at many other companies and I
advisor at many other companies and I
advisor at many other companies and I like you I’ve observed some of the
like you I’ve observed some of the
like you I’ve observed some of the biggest companies in the world that
biggest companies in the world that
biggest companies in the world that disrupt markets too and I’m trying to
disrupt markets too and I’m trying to
disrupt markets too and I’m trying to bring all that to bear to inform me this
bring all that to bear to inform me this
bring all that to bear to inform me this morning in talking to you about what I
morning in talking to you about what I
morning in talking to you about what I see as the ingredients to thinking about
see as the ingredients to thinking about
see as the ingredients to thinking about thinking like a disruptor
thinking like a disruptor
thinking like a disruptor I’ll organize my comments in the three
I’ll organize my comments in the three
I’ll organize my comments in the three aspects of thinking about disrupter
aspects of thinking about disrupter
aspects of thinking about disrupter disruption one needs identification how
disruption one needs identification how
disruption one needs identification how do we find problems and needs in the
do we find problems and needs in the
do we find problems and needs in the world to ideas and solutions and three
world to ideas and solutions and three
world to ideas and solutions and three execution because it’s not enough to
execution because it’s not enough to
execution because it’s not enough to have an idea you have to have to
have an idea you have to have to
have an idea you have to have to actually go and build it so let’s start
actually go and build it so let’s start
actually go and build it so let’s start with needs great disruption solves needs
with needs great disruption solves needs
with needs great disruption solves needs or problems in the world and the thing I
or problems in the world and the thing I
or problems in the world and the thing I want to tell you about needs is they all
want to tell you about needs is they all
want to tell you about needs is they all come from people to see needs and
come from people to see needs and
come from people to see needs and problems in the world
problems in the world
problems in the world you don’t look at technology you look at
you don’t look at technology you look at
you don’t look at technology you look at people my father told me as a kid he
people my father told me as a kid he
people my father told me as a kid he said John no matter what you do in life
said John no matter what you do in life
said John no matter what you do in life you must learn to deal with people and
you must learn to deal with people and
you must learn to deal with people and think about people and he was so right
think about people and he was so right
think about people and he was so right because even though so many of the
because even though so many of the
because even though so many of the disruptions I’ve been part of in so many
disruptions I’ve been part of in so many
disruptions I’ve been part of in so many of the ones that you might be thinking
of the ones that you might be thinking
of the ones that you might be thinking about are driven by technology for sure
about are driven by technology for sure
about are driven by technology for sure the problems that we solve are always
the problems that we solve are always
the problems that we solve are always people problems so to think like a
people problems so to think like a
people problems so to think like a disrupter you have to become almost like
disrupter you have to become almost like
disrupter you have to become almost like a radar scanning system of emotions and
a radar scanning system of emotions and
a radar scanning system of emotions and reactions of people starting with
reactions of people starting with
reactions of people starting with yourself and your own experiences as a
yourself and your own experiences as a
yourself and your own experiences as a consumer of products as a user of
consumer of products as a user of
consumer of products as a user of services but also observing the other
services but also observing the other
services but also observing the other people around you and so my motivation
people around you and so my motivation
people around you and so my motivation to start SolidWorks was not only about
to start SolidWorks was not only about
to start SolidWorks was not only about CAD technology or the emerging Windows
CAD technology or the emerging Windows
CAD technology or the emerging Windows PC it was also driven most strongly by
PC it was also driven most strongly by
PC it was also driven most strongly by looking at CAD users I would visit users
looking at CAD users I would visit users
looking at CAD users I would visit users and I’d see them using the old
and I’d see them using the old
and I’d see them using the old generation of software and sometimes the
generation of software and sometimes the
generation of software and sometimes the users would tell me how happy they were
users would tell me how happy they were
users would tell me how happy they were with the software they didn’t say they
with the software they didn’t say they
with the software they didn’t say they were having problems but I could see the
were having problems but I could see the
were having problems but I could see the problems they had so consumers users of
problems they had so consumers users of
problems they had so consumers users of things sometimes don’t even know
things sometimes don’t even know
things sometimes don’t even know sometimes they’ll complain but sometimes
sometimes they’ll complain but sometimes
sometimes they’ll complain but sometimes they won’t complain they’ll just live
they won’t complain they’ll just live
they won’t complain they’ll just live with the problems they have and talk
with the problems they have and talk
with the problems they have and talk about a matter of factly a disruptor
about a matter of factly a disruptor
about a matter of factly a disruptor thinks about those I thought about those
thinks about those I thought about those
thinks about those I thought about those I would watch them using the system and
I would watch them using the system and
I would watch them using the system and they they’d show me how easy something
they they’d show me how easy something
they they’d show me how easy something was but it took 21 steps and they had to
was but it took 21 steps and they had to
was but it took 21 steps and they had to write down notes on a piece of paper I’m
write down notes on a piece of paper I’m
write down notes on a piece of paper I’m like that’s not that easy or they talk
like that’s not that easy or they talk
like that’s not that easy or they talk about how affordable it was but I could
about how affordable it was but I could
about how affordable it was but I could see it cost a lot of money and so I
see it cost a lot of money and so I
see it cost a lot of money and so I could see in them a need for for
could see in them a need for for
could see in them a need for for software that was
software that was
software that was easier used that was less expensive and
easier used that was less expensive and
easier used that was less expensive and that was really motivating to me in
that was really motivating to me in
that was really motivating to me in starting SolidWorks with on shape same
starting SolidWorks with on shape same
starting SolidWorks with on shape same thing I’d visit 20 years later I was
thing I’d visit 20 years later I was
thing I’d visit 20 years later I was visiting SolidWorks users and I’d see
visiting SolidWorks users and I’d see
visiting SolidWorks users and I’d see that as teams had become distributed
that as teams had become distributed
that as teams had become distributed worldwide the old-fashioned Windows
worldwide the old-fashioned Windows
worldwide the old-fashioned Windows software the software I had built 20
software the software I had built 20
software the software I had built 20 years ago was no longer so easy anymore
years ago was no longer so easy anymore
years ago was no longer so easy anymore there was constant problems with license
there was constant problems with license
there was constant problems with license codes and installs and service packs and
codes and installs and service packs and
codes and installs and service packs and upgrades the expense of the software
upgrades the expense of the software
upgrades the expense of the software which twenty years ago it seemed like a
which twenty years ago it seemed like a
which twenty years ago it seemed like a like affordable was now very expensive
like affordable was now very expensive
like affordable was now very expensive to users and sharing data was really
to users and sharing data was really
to users and sharing data was really hard they were trying to send files all
hard they were trying to send files all
hard they were trying to send files all over the world now something we had
over the world now something we had
over the world now something we had never imagined when we built SolidWorks
never imagined when we built SolidWorks
never imagined when we built SolidWorks I saw an opportunity to solve these
I saw an opportunity to solve these
I saw an opportunity to solve these problems but only if we would start from
problems but only if we would start from
problems but only if we would start from scratch and use the latest in cloud web
scratch and use the latest in cloud web
scratch and use the latest in cloud web and mobile technology and that led me to
and mobile technology and that led me to
and mobile technology and that led me to leave SolidWorks and start all over
leave SolidWorks and start all over
leave SolidWorks and start all over again
again
again with on shape you know maybe it may be
with on shape you know maybe it may be
with on shape you know maybe it may be crazy to try again to disrupt the same
crazy to try again to disrupt the same
crazy to try again to disrupt the same market but indeed that’s what I’m that’s
market but indeed that’s what I’m that’s
market but indeed that’s what I’m that’s what I’m doing that’s what I’m trying to
what I’m doing that’s what I’m trying to
what I’m doing that’s what I’m trying to do and we think we’re in the middle of
do and we think we’re in the middle of
do and we think we’re in the middle of disrupting it again at on shape we’ve
disrupting it again at on shape we’ve
disrupting it again at on shape we’ve gotten a good start and and it’s coming
gotten a good start and and it’s coming
gotten a good start and and it’s coming along nicely so it starts with user it
along nicely so it starts with user it
along nicely so it starts with user it starts with understanding needs needs
starts with understanding needs needs
starts with understanding needs needs you feel yourself and needs you observe
you feel yourself and needs you observe
you feel yourself and needs you observe and other people in the world second key
and other people in the world second key
and other people in the world second key way you need to think like a disrupter
way you need to think like a disrupter
way you need to think like a disrupter is when it comes to seeing ideas and
is when it comes to seeing ideas and
is when it comes to seeing ideas and solutions so you have a feeling for a
solutions so you have a feeling for a
solutions so you have a feeling for a problem in the world now you have to
problem in the world now you have to
problem in the world now you have to come up with a solution
come up with a solution
come up with a solution okay sure we all know to be creative and
okay sure we all know to be creative and
okay sure we all know to be creative and looking for solutions but I want to talk
looking for solutions but I want to talk
looking for solutions but I want to talk to you about a few other things one is
to you about a few other things one is
to you about a few other things one is to be curious in the world be curious
to be curious in the world be curious
to be curious in the world be curious about learning about things and what I
about learning about things and what I
about learning about things and what I want to tell you is particularly to
want to tell you is particularly to
want to tell you is particularly to learn about things that don’t seem to
learn about things that don’t seem to
learn about things that don’t seem to matter okay things that don’t seem to be
matter okay things that don’t seem to be
matter okay things that don’t seem to be important to any particular problem at
important to any particular problem at
important to any particular problem at hand but just in your gut feel
hand but just in your gut feel
hand but just in your gut feel interesting go ahead and spend time
interesting go ahead and spend time
interesting go ahead and spend time learning about them it was key to me in
learning about them it was key to me in
learning about them it was key to me in starting SolidWorks that I had spent
starting SolidWorks that I had spent
starting SolidWorks that I had spent years prior to SolidWorks playing with
years prior to SolidWorks playing with
years prior to SolidWorks playing with playing with windows-based pcs the new
playing with windows-based pcs the new
playing with windows-based pcs the new Windows operating system in PC
Windows operating system in PC
Windows operating system in PC and I say playing with because at my
and I say playing with because at my
and I say playing with because at my business that I was working in an old
business that I was working in an old
business that I was working in an old CAD company I would explain to people
CAD company I would explain to people
CAD company I would explain to people how interesting these things were and
how interesting these things were and
how interesting these things were and the PC and Windows and they’d say John
the PC and Windows and they’d say John
the PC and Windows and they’d say John why are you playing around with that
why are you playing around with that
why are you playing around with that that stuff doesn’t matter in our market
that stuff doesn’t matter in our market
that stuff doesn’t matter in our market you know and what I learned in my own
you know and what I learned in my own
you know and what I learned in my own experience is of course it turned out to
experience is of course it turned out to
experience is of course it turned out to matter a lot because today almost all
matter a lot because today almost all
matter a lot because today almost all professional CAD runs on Windows PCs but
professional CAD runs on Windows PCs but
professional CAD runs on Windows PCs but at the time in 1993 you know and some of
at the time in 1993 you know and some of
at the time in 1993 you know and some of you are some of you weren’t even born
you are some of you weren’t even born
you are some of you weren’t even born yet
yet
yet you you you you really this is the
you you you you really this is the
you you you you really this is the advantage of being older by the way when
advantage of being older by the way when
advantage of being older by the way when you’re older you get what we in the CAD
you’re older you get what we in the CAD
you’re older you get what we in the CAD business called a perspective view on
business called a perspective view on
business called a perspective view on things and you can see that just as just
things and you can see that just as just
things and you can see that just as just as 20 you know 20 years ago people
as 20 you know 20 years ago people
as 20 you know 20 years ago people everyone was using UNIX workstations and
everyone was using UNIX workstations and
everyone was using UNIX workstations and today you’re gonna look at me like UNIX
today you’re gonna look at me like UNIX
today you’re gonna look at me like UNIX workstations you know what are those you
workstations you know what are those you
workstations you know what are those you know and someday one of you will be up
know and someday one of you will be up
know and someday one of you will be up here giving a talk like this and you say
here giving a talk like this and you say
here giving a talk like this and you say Windows PCs and people go Windows PCs
Windows PCs and people go Windows PCs
Windows PCs and people go Windows PCs what are those you know and so anyway
what are those you know and so anyway
what are those you know and so anyway the point is I was playing around with
the point is I was playing around with
the point is I was playing around with these Windows PCs a lot of disruptions
these Windows PCs a lot of disruptions
these Windows PCs a lot of disruptions are a combination of a problem plus a
are a combination of a problem plus a
are a combination of a problem plus a technology that didn’t matter until it
technology that didn’t matter until it
technology that didn’t matter until it did okay so Windows PCs didn’t matter to
did okay so Windows PCs didn’t matter to
did okay so Windows PCs didn’t matter to the CAD market until it did all right
the CAD market until it did all right
the CAD market until it did all right and we see this in in in other stories
and we see this in in in other stories
and we see this in in in other stories like like uber which has been mentioned
like like uber which has been mentioned
like like uber which has been mentioned a couple times today you know mobile
a couple times today you know mobile
a couple times today you know mobile phones and GPS they didn’t matter the
phones and GPS they didn’t matter the
phones and GPS they didn’t matter the taxi industry until they did you know
taxi industry until they did you know
taxi industry until they did you know internet search you know an internet
internet search you know an internet
internet search you know an internet search engine that didn’t matter to the
search engine that didn’t matter to the
search engine that didn’t matter to the newspaper business did it until it did
newspaper business did it until it did
newspaper business did it until it did so if you worked at a newspaper and you
so if you worked at a newspaper and you
so if you worked at a newspaper and you were fooling around with internet search
were fooling around with internet search
were fooling around with internet search engine people would say why are you
engine people would say why are you
engine people would say why are you doing that well it turns out Google of
doing that well it turns out Google of
doing that well it turns out Google of course redefined the entire market for
course redefined the entire market for
course redefined the entire market for ads and greatly disrupted not just
ads and greatly disrupted not just
ads and greatly disrupted not just newspapers but all of ad-based
newspapers but all of ad-based
newspapers but all of ad-based publishing models you see it over and
publishing models you see it over and
publishing models you see it over and over again with on shape I had spent
over again with on shape I had spent
over again with on shape I had spent years before really thinking about
years before really thinking about
years before really thinking about starting on shape I spent years
starting on shape I spent years
starting on shape I spent years experimenting playing around with open
experimenting playing around with open
experimenting playing around with open source software with web
source software with web
source software with web web browser HTML and JavaScript with
web browser HTML and JavaScript with
web browser HTML and JavaScript with learning about internet speed why was i
learning about internet speed why was i
learning about internet speed why was i learning about internet speed I don’t
learning about internet speed I don’t
learning about internet speed I don’t know it didn’t seem relevant to the CAD
know it didn’t seem relevant to the CAD
know it didn’t seem relevant to the CAD business but I was interested in it okay
business but I was interested in it okay
business but I was interested in it okay so don’t be afraid to learn about things
so don’t be afraid to learn about things
so don’t be afraid to learn about things that don’t matter and I encourage all
that don’t matter and I encourage all
that don’t matter and I encourage all you to go out and pick something that
you to go out and pick something that
you to go out and pick something that doesn’t seem to matter to anything
doesn’t seem to matter to anything
doesn’t seem to matter to anything you’re doing but just interest you it
you’re doing but just interest you it
you’re doing but just interest you it doesn’t have to be technology either you
doesn’t have to be technology either you
doesn’t have to be technology either you can spend time you know you can go to a
can spend time you know you can go to a
can spend time you know you can go to a crafts fair on Saturday morning and see
crafts fair on Saturday morning and see
crafts fair on Saturday morning and see someone making something and ask them
someone making something and ask them
someone making something and ask them what are you doing what where did that
what are you doing what where did that
what are you doing what where did that come from what tools are using what’s
come from what tools are using what’s
come from what tools are using what’s new in your world be naturally curious
new in your world be naturally curious
new in your world be naturally curious all the time and you may find that you
all the time and you may find that you
all the time and you may find that you develop ideas for disruption that
develop ideas for disruption that
develop ideas for disruption that involve tying something that doesn’t
involve tying something that doesn’t
involve tying something that doesn’t matter to a problem that you see in your
matter to a problem that you see in your
matter to a problem that you see in your world
world
world another thing about idea generation that
another thing about idea generation that
another thing about idea generation that I want to emphasize is don’t be afraid
I want to emphasize is don’t be afraid
I want to emphasize is don’t be afraid of bad ideas too often where we’re
of bad ideas too often where we’re
of bad ideas too often where we’re trying upfront – to think that oh I came
trying upfront – to think that oh I came
trying upfront – to think that oh I came up with an idea but it must be really
up with an idea but it must be really
up with an idea but it must be really bad I’m looking for the good idea so we
bad I’m looking for the good idea so we
bad I’m looking for the good idea so we think of bad ideas and good ideas as
think of bad ideas and good ideas as
think of bad ideas and good ideas as being opposite ends of some spectrum and
being opposite ends of some spectrum and
being opposite ends of some spectrum and mediocrity in the middle I’m not
mediocrity in the middle I’m not
mediocrity in the middle I’m not implying I’m mediocrity I’m just saying
implying I’m mediocrity I’m just saying
implying I’m mediocrity I’m just saying you know what I mean there’s kind of
you know what I mean there’s kind of
you know what I mean there’s kind of natural thinking that a bad idea a good
natural thinking that a bad idea a good
natural thinking that a bad idea a good idea I don’t see the world that way I
idea I don’t see the world that way I
idea I don’t see the world that way I think bad ideas live in the same
think bad ideas live in the same
think bad ideas live in the same neighborhood as good ideas and they both
neighborhood as good ideas and they both
neighborhood as good ideas and they both live very far from mediocrity you know
live very far from mediocrity you know
live very far from mediocrity you know what I mean so like like think of it
what I mean so like like think of it
what I mean so like like think of it like a giant hoop earring or something
like a giant hoop earring or something
like a giant hoop earring or something bad ideas and good ideas success and
bad ideas and good ideas success and
bad ideas and good ideas success and failure are like metastable states that
failure are like metastable states that
failure are like metastable states that our neighbors from each other and I
our neighbors from each other and I
our neighbors from each other and I think some of the worst ideas I’ve ever
think some of the worst ideas I’ve ever
think some of the worst ideas I’ve ever had are very close to some of the best
had are very close to some of the best
had are very close to some of the best ideas who ever had you know and so so
ideas who ever had you know and so so
ideas who ever had you know and so so get comfortable with brainstorming about
get comfortable with brainstorming about
get comfortable with brainstorming about lots of ideas and don’t worry if they’re
lots of ideas and don’t worry if they’re
lots of ideas and don’t worry if they’re good or bad some of the great
good or bad some of the great
good or bad some of the great entrepreneurs in history have had a lot
entrepreneurs in history have had a lot
entrepreneurs in history have had a lot of bad ideas Steve Jobs you know who
of bad ideas Steve Jobs you know who
of bad ideas Steve Jobs you know who built the great products at Apple he had
built the great products at Apple he had
built the great products at Apple he had also built the next computer which many
also built the next computer which many
also built the next computer which many of you have never even heard of go look
of you have never even heard of go look
of you have never even heard of go look it up and I heard someone tell me that
it up and I heard someone tell me that
it up and I heard someone tell me that after next immediately after next
after next immediately after next
after next immediately after next he would go lecture at Stanford or
he would go lecture at Stanford or
he would go lecture at Stanford or something and the students would be very
something and the students would be very
something and the students would be very uninterested in almost laughing about
uninterested in almost laughing about
uninterested in almost laughing about what he had done and instead of seeing
what he had done and instead of seeing
what he had done and instead of seeing his obvious grade
his obvious grade
his obvious grade potential another way to put it is I
potential another way to put it is I
potential another way to put it is I think visions and hallucinations look
think visions and hallucinations look
think visions and hallucinations look the same until you try to build them you
the same until you try to build them you
the same until you try to build them you know you know I mean things that you
know you know I mean things that you
know you know I mean things that you you’re sure are the way the world is
you’re sure are the way the world is
you’re sure are the way the world is going to be and things that turn out to
going to be and things that turn out to
going to be and things that turn out to be mirages they look and feel the same
be mirages they look and feel the same
be mirages they look and feel the same so get comfortable in that zone
so get comfortable in that zone
so get comfortable in that zone generating lots of ideas don’t worry
generating lots of ideas don’t worry
generating lots of ideas don’t worry about deciding upfront which are the
about deciding upfront which are the
about deciding upfront which are the good or the bad ones like I say I had a
good or the bad ones like I say I had a
good or the bad ones like I say I had a first company that I built and we didn’t
first company that I built and we didn’t
first company that I built and we didn’t end up it wasn’t a failure but it wasn’t
end up it wasn’t a failure but it wasn’t
end up it wasn’t a failure but it wasn’t a huge success we didn’t disrupt the
a huge success we didn’t disrupt the
a huge success we didn’t disrupt the world but the idea looked and felt very
world but the idea looked and felt very
world but the idea looked and felt very similar to the ones for SolidWorks err
similar to the ones for SolidWorks err
similar to the ones for SolidWorks err on shape so don’t be afraid of thinking
on shape so don’t be afraid of thinking
on shape so don’t be afraid of thinking of crazy ideas then finally I want to
of crazy ideas then finally I want to
of crazy ideas then finally I want to talk to you about execution too too
talk to you about execution too too
talk to you about execution too too often people just stop at seeing a
often people just stop at seeing a
often people just stop at seeing a problem and thinking of an idea and they
problem and thinking of an idea and they
problem and thinking of an idea and they don’t go and execute to be a disruptor
don’t go and execute to be a disruptor
don’t go and execute to be a disruptor to think like a disrupt a disruptor you
to think like a disrupt a disruptor you
to think like a disrupt a disruptor you have to shift into execution gear which
have to shift into execution gear which
have to shift into execution gear which is very different than just thinking
is very different than just thinking
is very different than just thinking about it okay
about it okay
about it okay sometimes the the obstacles can appear
sometimes the the obstacles can appear
sometimes the the obstacles can appear impossible in starting SolidWorks people
impossible in starting SolidWorks people
impossible in starting SolidWorks people told me you’re building an entire new
told me you’re building an entire new
told me you’re building an entire new CAD system this was excuse me in 1993
CAD system this was excuse me in 1993
CAD system this was excuse me in 1993 and I’m like yeah we’re gonna build an
and I’m like yeah we’re gonna build an
and I’m like yeah we’re gonna build an entirely new CAD system people thought
entirely new CAD system people thought
entirely new CAD system people thought it was crazy so so what did I do I got
it was crazy so so what did I do I got
it was crazy so so what did I do I got started building it you know I didn’t
started building it you know I didn’t
started building it you know I didn’t have funding yet I went to year with no
have funding yet I went to year with no
have funding yet I went to year with no funding by the way I just built it in my
funding by the way I just built it in my
funding by the way I just built it in my home with some co-founders and we took a
home with some co-founders and we took a
home with some co-founders and we took a step we started we said let’s get
step we started we said let’s get
step we started we said let’s get Windows running let’s get some of the
Windows running let’s get some of the
Windows running let’s get some of the basics running let’s get a prototype
basics running let’s get a prototype
basics running let’s get a prototype running okay and we started moving we
running okay and we started moving we
running okay and we started moving we weren’t waiting for someone else to do
weren’t waiting for someone else to do
weren’t waiting for someone else to do something we weren’t finding excuses why
something we weren’t finding excuses why
something we weren’t finding excuses why not to do it to this day I’m convinced
not to do it to this day I’m convinced
not to do it to this day I’m convinced that many other people probably saw the
that many other people probably saw the
that many other people probably saw the same opportunity for SolidWorks they
same opportunity for SolidWorks they
same opportunity for SolidWorks they probably had the same views I did about
probably had the same views I did about
probably had the same views I did about the Windows PC being the future of CAD
the Windows PC being the future of CAD
the Windows PC being the future of CAD but they didn’t act on it and the
but they didn’t act on it and the
but they didn’t act on it and the and people say oh you’re you’re you know
and people say oh you’re you’re you know
and people say oh you’re you’re you know you had a great vision for SolidWorks or
you had a great vision for SolidWorks or
you had a great vision for SolidWorks or something I tell people I think the
something I tell people I think the
something I tell people I think the vision was obvious I think if we me and
vision was obvious I think if we me and
vision was obvious I think if we me and my co-founders get credit it’s because
my co-founders get credit it’s because
my co-founders get credit it’s because we decided to do something about it
we decided to do something about it
we decided to do something about it same with on shake this time around it’s
same with on shake this time around it’s
same with on shake this time around it’s a huge job we’re undertaking and it
a huge job we’re undertaking and it
a huge job we’re undertaking and it takes years as I think Whitney said
takes years as I think Whitney said
takes years as I think Whitney said earlier about how you have to be patient
earlier about how you have to be patient
earlier about how you have to be patient in the early days as he come up that
in the early days as he come up that
in the early days as he come up that curve you often have to have a lot of
curve you often have to have a lot of
curve you often have to have a lot of perseverance to get through it we did
perseverance to get through it we did
perseverance to get through it we did with SolidWorks we did with on shape and
with SolidWorks we did with on shape and
with SolidWorks we did with on shape and now we’re getting the rewards of it in
now we’re getting the rewards of it in
now we’re getting the rewards of it in the market as people use the product and
the market as people use the product and
the market as people use the product and and tell us great stories about how
and tell us great stories about how
and tell us great stories about how valuable it is to them this persistence
valuable it is to them this persistence
valuable it is to them this persistence to execute that I’ve seen in my career
to execute that I’ve seen in my career
to execute that I’ve seen in my career and I’ve seen in other disruptors this
and I’ve seen in other disruptors this
and I’ve seen in other disruptors this ability to stick the stick-to-itiveness
ability to stick the stick-to-itiveness
ability to stick the stick-to-itiveness to execute that is sort of at odds in
to execute that is sort of at odds in
to execute that is sort of at odds in some ways with the with the kind of
some ways with the with the kind of
some ways with the with the kind of creativity that I just talked about in
creativity that I just talked about in
creativity that I just talked about in the idea phase or the radar scanning of
the idea phase or the radar scanning of
the idea phase or the radar scanning of the needs and problems identification
the needs and problems identification
the needs and problems identification phase and so to some degree as a
phase and so to some degree as a
phase and so to some degree as a disrupter you have to be flexible enough
disrupter you have to be flexible enough
disrupter you have to be flexible enough to one day be thinking of wild ideas and
to one day be thinking of wild ideas and
to one day be thinking of wild ideas and user needs and then enter into this long
user needs and then enter into this long
user needs and then enter into this long struggle of building your product and
struggle of building your product and
struggle of building your product and it’s usually a struggle that’s normal
it’s usually a struggle that’s normal
it’s usually a struggle that’s normal it’s usually a rollercoaster ride that’s
it’s usually a rollercoaster ride that’s
it’s usually a rollercoaster ride that’s normal you know Ben Horowitz who’s Marc
normal you know Ben Horowitz who’s Marc
normal you know Ben Horowitz who’s Marc Andreessen is partner he he talks about
Andreessen is partner he he talks about
Andreessen is partner he he talks about this in his book the struggle most
this in his book the struggle most
this in his book the struggle most entrepreneurs most disruptors go through
entrepreneurs most disruptors go through
entrepreneurs most disruptors go through the struggle know that it’s normal when
the struggle know that it’s normal when
the struggle know that it’s normal when you’ve done it before you can say it’s
you’ve done it before you can say it’s
you’ve done it before you can say it’s kind of like being on a thrill ride the
kind of like being on a thrill ride the
kind of like being on a thrill ride the first time it’s wild the second time you
first time it’s wild the second time you
first time it’s wild the second time you say okay I know I know I’m gonna get a
say okay I know I know I’m gonna get a
say okay I know I know I’m gonna get a little sick as we go up and down the
little sick as we go up and down the
little sick as we go up and down the rise and fall that’s normal the other
rise and fall that’s normal the other
rise and fall that’s normal the other thing I want to tell you about execution
thing I want to tell you about execution
thing I want to tell you about execution is don’t worry about being first okay
is don’t worry about being first okay
is don’t worry about being first okay too often we worry oh I don’t want to
too often we worry oh I don’t want to
too often we worry oh I don’t want to start working on this because because
start working on this because because
start working on this because because someone else is already doing it don’t
someone else is already doing it don’t
someone else is already doing it don’t worry about that look at the great
worry about that look at the great
worry about that look at the great examples in the world like like look at
examples in the world like like look at
examples in the world like like look at Facebook anyone remember MySpace before
Facebook anyone remember MySpace before
Facebook anyone remember MySpace before it I mean people thought MySpace what’s
it I mean people thought MySpace what’s
it I mean people thought MySpace what’s that yeah
that yeah
that yeah was the social network but Facebook came
was the social network but Facebook came
was the social network but Facebook came up I mentioned Google search but was
up I mentioned Google search but was
up I mentioned Google search but was Google search the first search engine
Google search the first search engine
Google search the first search engine no there was AltaVista which looked like
no there was AltaVista which looked like
no there was AltaVista which looked like it owned the market
it owned the market
it owned the market the iPod ok the iPod those of you are
the iPod ok the iPod those of you are
the iPod ok the iPod those of you are old enough do you remember before the
old enough do you remember before the
old enough do you remember before the iPod existed there was the Rio the Rio
iPod existed there was the Rio the Rio
iPod existed there was the Rio the Rio mp3 player was very popular I mean I
mp3 player was very popular I mean I
mp3 player was very popular I mean I know you younger people don’t know this
know you younger people don’t know this
know you younger people don’t know this but so don’t worry you don’t have to be
but so don’t worry you don’t have to be
but so don’t worry you don’t have to be the first but you do have to be ok you
the first but you do have to be ok you
the first but you do have to be ok you do have to take a step and execute and I
do have to take a step and execute and I
do have to take a step and execute and I always say if you I can’t if you try I
always say if you I can’t if you try I
always say if you I can’t if you try I can’t guarantee that you’ll win and be a
can’t guarantee that you’ll win and be a
can’t guarantee that you’ll win and be a disrupter but I can guarantee that if
disrupter but I can guarantee that if
disrupter but I can guarantee that if you don’t try you won’t win ok I can
you don’t try you won’t win ok I can
you don’t try you won’t win ok I can guarantee if you don’t try to build your
guarantee if you don’t try to build your
guarantee if you don’t try to build your disruptive idea you won’t build it you
disruptive idea you won’t build it you
disruptive idea you won’t build it you won’t wake up one morning fire oh I was
won’t wake up one morning fire oh I was
won’t wake up one morning fire oh I was asleep it doesn’t work that way
asleep it doesn’t work that way
asleep it doesn’t work that way so in closing I’ll tell you that I hope
so in closing I’ll tell you that I hope
so in closing I’ll tell you that I hope I’ve shared a few lessons a few thoughts
I’ve shared a few lessons a few thoughts
I’ve shared a few lessons a few thoughts about my 35 years in the CAD market and
about my 35 years in the CAD market and
about my 35 years in the CAD market and my years of observing other disruptors
my years of observing other disruptors
my years of observing other disruptors about finding needs and problems about
about finding needs and problems about
about finding needs and problems about coming up with ideas and solutions and
coming up with ideas and solutions and
coming up with ideas and solutions and about then going and executing and it’s
about then going and executing and it’s
about then going and executing and it’s my sincere hope that that many of you
my sincere hope that that many of you
my sincere hope that that many of you try to execute on your own disruptions
try to execute on your own disruptions
try to execute on your own disruptions in the world and that many of you will
in the world and that many of you will
in the world and that many of you will probably experience like I did perhaps
probably experience like I did perhaps
probably experience like I did perhaps one that doesn’t work out as well but
one that doesn’t work out as well but
one that doesn’t work out as well but hopefully many of you will experience as
hopefully many of you will experience as
hopefully many of you will experience as I do one that truly does become a
I do one that truly does become a
I do one that truly does become a disruptive success in the product of
disruptive success in the product of
disruptive success in the product of you’re thinking like a disrupter thank
you’re thinking like a disrupter thank
you’re thinking like a disrupter thank you
”
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