Lessons Learned Over 25 Years

To say a lot has changed since 1998 is an understatement. One thing that hasn’t? The vision for NetSuite.

From day one, we sought to build one system, the suite, that gives leaders a complete view into their business. And the suite has never been more powerful than it is today – it’s why we’re still here.

Big milestones like these offer a great opportunity to reflect on the path taken. For NetSuite, the past 25 years have included a fair share of highs, lows, and lessons learned. Here are just a few I wanted to share. 

Don’t let your vision blind you

The key to success in any venture is vision, a “north star” guiding you to how you want the world to be in the future. But how you go about navigating that course is just as critical. While you don’t want individual customer requests to push you too far from your path, you must listen carefully and be prepared to pivot if you are not meeting their expectations. At NetSuite, we always focus on solving our customers biggest problems in a way that not just satisfies but delights them. We focus on the big picture while also getting the little things right.

Know what you don’t know

If you’re a leader, you undoubtedly have worked hard over the years to put yourself in that position. You have developed incredible skills in certain areas. And yet running a successful company requires myriad skills that no one individual can have. In the areas you have less experience and/or natural talent, surround yourself with experts and give them the freedom to utilize what they’ve learned over their careers. You don’t always have to be the smartest person in the room on every topic – in fact if you are, you’ve probably shortchanged yourself and your organization.

Understand what constitutes a “good” corporate culture

But even if you find the best people, if you don’t give them an environment in which they can thrive they – and you – won’t experience success.

It goes much deeper than providing perks and amenities. A good corporate culture creates a set of shared beliefs and values that serve as a roadmap for how a company operates, serves its customers, and most importantly, treats its employees. A great corporate culture is centered on being your authentic self. Authenticity is the fundamental alignment of who you claim to be and who you are. If the two are at odds, no matter who you are, people will be let down or dissatisfied, and you will fall short of expectations.

Just as with customers, listening and practicing empathy is key to meeting employees’ needs. It’s something I wrote about a few years ago when we were still at the height of the pandemic, and it’s just as important now that we are increasingly back in the office. Use multiple means of soliciting your team’s feedback: surveys, “Ask Me Anything” sessions, even just “walking around”, whether physically or virtually. You will get to experience the rich tapestry of your human resources and learn what makes them tick – and what can make them happier and more productive.

Help people do good better

When you listen to your employees, one thing you will almost certainly learn is that people want to make a difference. You can help them do that even more effectively, and, in the process, benefit your own mission. At NetSuite, that takes the form of our Social Impact initiative (inspired by my own child’s PTA). Our employees help nonprofit organizations use NetSuite more effectively. It’s been a win-win-win – not only do the organizations better achieve their mission, but employees feel pride in their own and our involvement and are more tightly bound to NetSuite.

Growing a company is a journey that is never straight – I would never have dreamed everything that’s happened in our 25-year history. I hope a few of the lessons I’ve learned along the way will help you chart your course in whatever you are trying to achieve.