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a16z Podcast | Why Every Business is in the Data Business
16 segments available
It’s not just the likes of Google, Facebook, and Amazon that lean on a massive and growing corpus of data, today every company is a data-driven company. In this world, access to data -- and how you manage it -- is what matters, says Ash Ashutosh, founder and CEO of Actifio. In this segment of the pod, we get in the weeds with Ashutosh and a16z’s Peter Levine on how this data-driven world is changing the technology infrastructure that is the engine behind it, and the companies that use it. Ashutosh and Levine also discuss ramping sales teams, going international, and what’s driving the timing of IPOs – or really the lack of IPOs. Finally, Ashutosh offers his four-legged response to being referred to as a “unicorn.”
Segments Timeline
Data as the Lifeblood of Business
Ash Ashutosh emphasizes that every company today is a data-driven entity, highlighting how access to data is crucial for competitiveness. He uses examples like Airbnb and Uber to illustrate that even companies without physical assets rely heavily on data to operate effectively. This segment sets the stage for understanding the importance of data management in modern business.
"welcome to the a 16z podcast I'm Michael Copeland it's not just the likes of Google Facebook and Amazon that lean on a massive and growing corpus of data today every company is a data-driven company a..."
The Evolution of Data Center Design
Ashutosh and Peter Levine discuss how the architecture of data centers is evolving due to the rise of hyper-cloud environments. They explain that whether on-premise or in the cloud, the design of data centers is changing, emphasizing the need for speed and efficiency in accessing data. This segment highlights the shift from traditional data center models to more agile, cloud-based solutions.
"requires one thing above all speed the classic example you could have the best Hospital in the world but if the ambulance takes too long to get there there's really no point right now even you're in t..."
Virtualization and Data Accessibility
In this segment, Ashutosh explains how Actifio's technology enables organizations to virtualize data, making it instantly accessible. He compares this to VMware's impact on compute resources, emphasizing the importance of agility and cost-effectiveness in data management. This discussion underscores the necessity of effective data access in a competitive business landscape.
"that the mobile supply chain eats the data center and that implies that the hardware the cost of the hardware gets very very inexpensive and you know I can imagine I think I've said this that I can im..."
The Changing Landscape of Data Management
Ashutosh elaborates on the lifecycle of data and the complexities involved in managing it. He discusses how the traditional methods of data management are becoming obsolete and the need for innovative solutions to handle the growing demands of data-driven businesses. This segment highlights the challenges and opportunities in modern data management.
"thesis behind Activia so in what you describe are we talking about still an on-premise world or at least a portion of that world still on-premise I think there's a very thin line there is a there's a ..."
The Role of Actifio in Data Management
Ashutosh shares insights on how Actifio addresses the challenges faced by organizations in managing their data. He discusses the importance of speed and agility in data access and how Actifio's solutions can help businesses innovate and respond quickly to market demands. This segment emphasizes Actifio's role in transforming data management practices.
"prim now fast forward 10-15 years we now look at Facebook and Google as the prototype data center there's commoditize again the mobile supply chain is eaten there data center a lot of open-source comp..."
Navigating the Enterprise Sales Process
Ashutosh contrasts the sales processes for small versus large enterprises, explaining how smaller organizations can make quicker decisions while larger ones require more validation and procurement steps. This segment provides valuable insights into the dynamics of enterprise sales and the differing needs of various business sizes.
"are constantly innovating constantly fixing issues and and the old model that Peter was describing where you add infrastructure that that basically controlled the data you move stuff from one stage to..."
The Value of Speed and Agility in Data
In this segment, Ashutosh and Levine discuss the critical importance of speed and agility in data management. They argue that even as storage becomes cheaper, the real value lies in how quickly and effectively organizations can access and utilize their data. This discussion highlights the competitive edge that speed can provide in the data-driven landscape.
"cloud architecture but inside your four walls an analogy here is that what VMware did for compute actifi o is doing for storage and if you think about what VMware unlocked 10 or 15 years ago with thei..."
The Lifeblood of Modern Businesses
Ashutosh reiterates the idea that data is essential for all businesses, regardless of size. He uses examples of companies like Airbnb to illustrate how data drives operations and competitiveness. This segment reinforces the notion that effective data management is crucial for success in today's market.
"the ability for you to truly manage the lifecycle of data through the point where it's being protected will share its analyze compliance my requirements met people are doing federal stress tests becau..."
Differentiating Sales Strategies for Enterprises
Ashutosh explains the differences in sales strategies for large enterprises versus smaller businesses. He outlines the more complex decision-making processes in larger organizations, emphasizing the need for technical validation and business case justification. This segment provides a deeper understanding of how sales approaches must adapt to different organizational structures.
"about customers that sound like their large enterprises does this sort of apply to everyone now and are you seeing in your customer base sort of a shift from very large customers to to everyone yeah a..."
The Challenges of Being a Private Company
Ashutosh discusses the unique challenges faced by private companies in the tech space, particularly in terms of customer willingness to adopt new solutions. He contrasts this with the advantages of being a private company, such as the ability to innovate without the pressures of public scrutiny. This segment sheds light on the dynamics of private versus public company operations.
"butts to get it done definitely dramatically different for many many reasons so a smaller let me start with a simpler one the smaller organizations have a problem to solve they have a budget to solve ..."
Innovation in Large Organizations
Levine and Ashutosh explore the difficulties large companies face in innovating due to existing operational structures and budget constraints. They discuss how large organizations often struggle to allocate resources for new initiatives, leading to a reliance on acquisitions for innovation. This segment highlights the systemic challenges within large enterprises.
"every enterprise sales ten is the procurement perches and especially organizations like us that are private right that sometimes it's twice as much three times as much as the front end of the entire p..."
The Importance of Marketing and Sales in Innovation
Ashutosh and Levine emphasize that while large companies may excel in R&D, the real challenge lies in marketing and selling new products. They discuss how disruptive innovations can be difficult to integrate into established marketing and sales frameworks. This segment underscores the importance of aligning innovation with effective go-to-market strategies.
"there are 10 X 20 X 100x more beneficial than the incumbents Peter what what makes it so hard for incumbents to get there quickly and they're certainly smart they're well-funded a lot of them are sitt..."
Global Expansion and Its Complexities
Ashutosh shares insights into Actifio's global expansion strategy, detailing the challenges and complexities of operating in multiple countries. He discusses the importance of localizing practices and understanding cultural differences in order to effectively support users worldwide. This segment highlights the intricacies of scaling a tech company internationally.
"organization it's not that they don't know conceptually what to do when I come in after them yeah it's it's you know they're these are very smart people who work at large companies you know it's just ..."
The Unicorn Debate
Ashutosh expresses his disdain for the term 'unicorn,' preferring to focus on the value delivered to customers rather than investor perceptions. He discusses the importance of being a reliable partner for customers over fitting into a trendy label. This segment provides a candid look at the mindset of a tech entrepreneur in today's market.
"the other part that is lost it's not just coming up with a new product many of these large companies have phenomenal R&D and patterns for that they do phenomenal job of innovating yeah it's the two-th..."
The Timing of Going Public
Ashutosh and Levine discuss the current landscape for tech companies considering IPOs, emphasizing that the timing should align with customer needs and business readiness rather than market pressures. They highlight the importance of building a sustainable business model before pursuing public status. This segment offers insights into the strategic considerations for tech companies regarding IPOs.
"went to Australia some of them were in Singapore and Japan and next thing you know we were we were supporting many of these enterprises that do have either either subsidiaries or offices outside and t..."
Building a Transformational Business
In the concluding segment, Ashutosh and Levine reflect on the journey of building a transformational business in the tech industry. They discuss the importance of focusing on customer needs and the long-term vision for the company. This segment encapsulates the overarching themes of innovation, customer-centricity, and strategic growth in the tech landscape.
"tremendous amount of overhead we need a finance and G and a team that actually does the payroll I mean it comes down to something as basic as that why is it worth it it's worth it for one simple reaso..."