We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode Silicon Valley OG shares crazy stories from Zynga early days + 3 business ideas

Silicon Valley OG shares crazy stories from Zynga early days + 3 business ideas

2025/2/19
logo of podcast My First Million

My First Million

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
S
Siqi Chen
Topics
Siqi Chen: 我在Zynga的早期经历充满挑战和机遇。我最初负责产品,后来因为上司离职而直接向Mark Pincus汇报。Mark Pincus是一位极具侵略性的领导者,他注重数据分析和增长,这在当时是Zynga成功的关键。然而,这种高度数据驱动的模式也存在局限性,例如过度优化某些指标而忽略了其他重要方面。我从这段经历中学到了很多关于增长、数据分析以及领导力的知识,也意识到选择工作内容的重要性,避免陷入无限优化的陷阱。 在与Slide公司的会面中,我经历了一次不愉快的谈判。他们对营收和成功的定义与我不同,这让我意识到不同视角的重要性。 我投资了Amplitude,获得了400倍的回报,这证明了早期投资的重要性。 我女儿被诊断出患有罕见脑肿瘤,这促使我深入研究医学领域,寻找新的治疗方法。在这个过程中,我发现标准医疗和前沿研究之间存在差距,尤其是在罕见疾病领域。许多有价值的数据被付费墙阻挡,这限制了AI工具的效用。我正在努力寻找可以访问付费文章的深度研究工具,并希望将我的研究成果用于治疗我女儿的疾病。 我女儿的病情被报道后,有人创建了一种加密货币,导致了复杂的事件。我最初是想通过GoFundMe为研究实验室筹款,但有人在我的社交媒体上创建了一种加密货币,并向我的钱包发送了大量代币。我将获得的加密货币捐赠给了慈善机构,并向因代币下跌而遭受损失的人们进行了赔偿。 我学习了一门关于人际沟通的课程,这极大地改善了我的人际关系和公司管理。这门课教会我如何与人建立联系,并通过五个层次的沟通来建立信任。 我创立的公司Runway,在商业模式上注重乐趣和创造力,这与严肃的商业环境并不冲突,反而能提高效率和创造力。 我关注的快速发展的公司包括ElevenLabs,他们的技术和商业化能力都非常出色。 Sam Parr: (内容补充) Shaan Puri: (内容补充)

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter dives into Siqi Chen's experiences at Zynga during its heyday. It covers anecdotes about Mark Pincus, the intense work culture, and the data-driven decision-making process that characterized the company.
  • Siqi Chen's experiences as a director of product at Zynga.
  • Anecdotes about Mark Pincus's leadership style.
  • Zynga's intense work culture (80-100 hour work weeks).
  • Data-driven decision-making and A/B testing at Zynga.
  • The story of Eric Scheimier's departure to become a ninja.
  • Zynga's highly analytical approach to growth and product management.

Shownotes Transcript

Episode 678: Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr) ) and Shaan Puri ( https://x.com/ShaanVP) ) talk to Siqi Chen ( https://x.com/blader) ), the founder of Runway.com.

Show Notes: 

(0:00) Early days at Zynga 

(14:34) Business ideas

(52:18) Touchy-feely class

(1:07:24) Siqi’s favorite interview question

(1:12:48) Insane growth of ElevenLabs

Links:

• Limitless - https://www.limitless.ai/

• Rewind - https://www.rewind.ai/

• Runway - https://runway.com/

• Hoffman Institute - https://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/

• Pump - https://pump.fun/board

• ElevenLabs - https://elevenlabs.io/

Check Out Shaan's Stuff:

Need to hire? You should use the same service Shaan uses to hire developers, designers, & Virtual Assistants → it’s called Shepherd (tell ‘em Shaan sent you): https://bit.ly/SupportShepherd)

Check Out Sam's Stuff:

• Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/)

• Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/)

• Copy That - https://copythat.com)

• Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth)

• Sam’s List - http://samslist.co/)

My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by The HubSpot Podcast Network // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano