We @LightspeedIndia are thrilled to host Frank Slootman, CEO of @SnowflakeDB as the inaugural speaker for our #MastersOfSaaS fireside chat series w/ global SaaS leaders: RSVP@ shorturl.at/hDMZ8. As a fan, I've collected Frank's quotes ("Slootisms"? :-) for yrs; some favs👇: 
Frank is an absolute master of speed. As the CEO of Data Domain (acqd:EMC), ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW), & Snowflake, Frank’s track record of execution + strategic vision is globally in the company of one. There are none like him. shorturl.at/avzL4. Img credit: @patrick_oshag
Frank on running fast and lean: Img credit: @Altimor
On mediocrity:
Frank doesn’t like C players, but he absolutely hates B players. Hardest to find and fire. The “ultimate passengers”.
Frank doesn’t like C players, but he absolutely hates B players. Hardest to find and fire. The “ultimate passengers”.
On leadership:
‘Increase the velocity
Raise the standard
Narrow the focus’
“The role of a leader is to change the status quo, step up the pace, and increase the intensity. Leaders are the energy bunnies and pacemakers of the organization.”
‘Increase the velocity
Raise the standard
Narrow the focus’
“The role of a leader is to change the status quo, step up the pace, and increase the intensity. Leaders are the energy bunnies and pacemakers of the organization.”
On Culture: h/t @abarrallen
On survivorship:
"If you win, no one can hurt you. If you're losing, no one can help you."
"If you win, no one can hurt you. If you're losing, no one can help you."
What pisses Frank off?
“It is breathtaking how slow, substandard and unfocused many companies out there get through the day. And think nothing of it”
“It is breathtaking how slow, substandard and unfocused many companies out there get through the day. And think nothing of it”
On company KPIs:
“At @ServiceNow, we ran the whole company on Net New ACV. For a SaaS company, nothing else matters… balanced scorecards is the worst idea ever invented… I like just one metric not even two”.
“At @ServiceNow, we ran the whole company on Net New ACV. For a SaaS company, nothing else matters… balanced scorecards is the worst idea ever invented… I like just one metric not even two”.
Advise to young CEOs:
“One of the mistakes I see over and over again. Young CEOs hire people and then sit back and wait for things to happen… that’s a recipe for disaster. You are empowering people AND driving not presiding. Presiding is a recipe for failure…”
“One of the mistakes I see over and over again. Young CEOs hire people and then sit back and wait for things to happen… that’s a recipe for disaster. You are empowering people AND driving not presiding. Presiding is a recipe for failure…”
On Boards:
“CEOs need to lead your board, not create a vacuum where board members/investors step in.”
“CEOs need to lead your board, not create a vacuum where board members/investors step in.”
On winning markets:
“If you want to win a market, you have to win the iconic enterprises first, & then everything falls into place. If you approach it from the other end, & start knocking off small and medium, you are going to have an uphill battle...”
“If you want to win a market, you have to win the iconic enterprises first, & then everything falls into place. If you approach it from the other end, & start knocking off small and medium, you are going to have an uphill battle...”
On clarity:
“Clarity of mind, clarity of mind, clarity of mind. If you can't clearly articulate what you want - and articulate it at every turn - there will be mass confusion. Ever seen 5 year olds play soccer?”
“Clarity of mind, clarity of mind, clarity of mind. If you can't clearly articulate what you want - and articulate it at every turn - there will be mass confusion. Ever seen 5 year olds play soccer?”
Finally, the secret to Frank’s success? My guess: paranoia, but join the event & find out: shorturl.at/hDMZ8
“I live in constant fear that I am missing opportunities & I’m not doing enough”
“I am as anxious today as I was 20 years ago… our culture is not for everyone”
“I live in constant fear that I am missing opportunities & I’m not doing enough”
“I am as anxious today as I was 20 years ago… our culture is not for everyone”
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