This is new. Facebook now identifies that people are "New to Facebook" in the add request notification. Perhaps if they're new, you should throttle their ability to add people because they're likely spam bots because I get a LOT of these spammers.
Product & Startup Builder
Blockchain & Data Portability
With blockchain, has the time for true Data Portability finally arrived?
My response to CNN about Uber's new CEO
A journalist from CNN emailed asking for my thoughts on Uber's new CEO. This was my response...
I think all signals point to Dara being a thoughtful and effective leader so I'm excited to see what he can achieve with Uber's already amazing business.
It's my sincere hope that he has the insight and strength of leadership to empower Travis to meaningfully contribute to the company he built. His insight and vision is invaluable.
Calendly.com. Heaven Sent.
Besides Google Inbox and Facebook, Calendly.com has been the most valuable product I've used in the last 2 months. Amazing stuff.
Is there a job search platform optimizing for the on-demand economy?
There should be
Episode 5: Limiting The Risks of an Open Dev Platform
(3 min audio) Check out the next episode of my startup and developer platform advice podcast series.
(Link to audio: Limiting the risks of an Open Dev Platform)
Episode 4: Open vs. Closed Dev Platforms
(1 min audio) The next episode in my Startups and Dev Platform advice podcast series.
Do you know the difference between an open and closed platform? Which one is right for your business?
Thanks to Doriane for her question. Do you have any topics you'd like me to discuss in the next one? Let me know!
(Link to audio: Open vs Closed Dev platforms)
A meaningful recommendation
I've received some positive recommendations on LinkedIn. Truly grateful.
But maybe my favorite is this very kind sentiment from Nora. Given Uber's reputation lately, this means an awful lot to me.
As I've said before I'm very proud of the team and culture we collectively built on the Uber Dev Platform team.
Episode 3: Startup Advice Podcast Series
Episode 3 of my Startup Advice podcast series.
I talk about the kind of people you should hire for your Dev Platform team. Look out for platform first thinking and abundance mindset.
Did I miss anything? Let me know!
(Link to audio: How to build a great Dev Platform team)
Do you get it?
As I'm talking to so many amazing people about what they're working on, it reminds me that some people really just "get it". They're rare but relatively easy to spot. Hold onto them for dear life.
Abundance thinking and generosity of spirit
Curiosity about how and why things work
Clear eyed but not cynical
Paying attention to the trends and techniques that work
Bias towards action with just the right amount of impatience with the status quo
Driven by principles, but not ideological
Bonus if they love sci-fi
On career progression
Some of my tricks when taking each step on my journey...
Learn from past mistakes (harder than it sounds - we're often wired for certain biases and tendencies)
Ensure you're going "up and to the right" in terms of personal growth, lifestyle, value creation and value derived
Put aside your feelings of impostor syndrome or anxiety - embrace your unique value and the abundance
What are yours?
People strategy. More important than Product Strategy.
Uber + IFTTT
Uber + IFFT: New Automation Magic
Go team! Great to see this ship
(Link to Uber Developers News: “IFTTT and Uber open up a new category of automation magic”)
Episode 2: Things to Avoid When Building your Dev Platform
Check out episode 2 of my Startups & Dev Platform podcast series.
This is an answer to a question Richard asked me.
Please feel free to ask me questions or suggest topics for future episodes! Do you agree with my list? Tell me why or why not below.
(Link to audio: 3 things to avoid when building your Dev Platform)
Episode 1: Casual Convo Richard MacManus
I have so much affection for this man.
One of the Silicon Valley OGs, Richard and I talk about the early days of ReadWrite and Techcrunch (including fond memories of Michael), the Silicon Valley HBO TV show, how the community and culture has changed and how it’s part of a broader trend of extreme polarization in modern thinking/discourse powered by money and social media.
Of course, we also talk about open platforms!
Listen to the Interview Link
End of my Uber Ride
Today was my final day at Uber after two and a half years as the head of product for the Uber Developer Platform.
I loved the Uber experience, the moment a sleek black car arrived to whisk me away. Not only did it change my life, but I knew it would forever change the world. The opportunity to develop a mission, vision, products and team for 3rd party Developers at Uber was a dream. The reality of working alongside incredibly talented colleagues to build a great team, culture, and a suite of developer products for thousands of Developers has been an amazing ride.
However, change is the only constant in life. Given my experience and passion for developers, platforms and ecosystems, I’m eager to find a company where these things are a central and strategic part of the company’s vision.
Over the coming weeks and months I’ll be having lots of conversations to figure out exactly which company or project I want to pour my heart and soul into next. If you’re working on something that is making a big, lasting impact on the world and think there might be a way for me to make a meaningful contribution as a full-time part of the team — let me know!
In the meantime, I’ve set aside some time to do remote consulting with just a few companies. I can provide strategic guidance on all of the topics listed here: http://chrissaad.com/consulting/
This includes my expertise on developer platforms & ecosystems, on-demand economy, future of media, data portability and the silicon valley ecosystem.
Drop me a line at me@chrissaad.com for details. Please be sure to include information about what you’re working on and the kind of challenges or opportunities you’re facing at the moment.
Finally, in just the last few days I’ve been delving into producing short-form audio content (each no more than 2–5 minutes long). It’s been addictive! Check out my Startup Advice series where my first few episodes share insights for building Open Developer Platforms. If you have any ideas or questions you’d like answered for future episodes, leave them in the comments.
Over the next 10-20 years, most jobs will become obsolete or on-demand
All These Chat Apps . . .
All these chat apps & still no way to chat to ppl currently or recently at a venue
Uber Shareholders want Benchmark out
Hell yes. Adding my name to this.
I suspect Benchmark has been the cause of much of this mess. I'd think twice about taking money from them - as should any entrepreneur in the valley.
What's the opposite of founder friendly? Founder hostile?
