Strands of Genius: Darren Herman + Observability Predictions 2024
featuring: an interview with our guest editor and a research report
Welcome to the Bonus edition of Strands of Genius! On Fridays, we’ll be publishing interviews from our guest editors, and sharing a research report. Thanks for being along for the ride. Oh and by the way, you look great today :)
:: STEAL THIS THINKING | RESEARCH REPORT ::
Unless you live under a rock in a desert on a different planet, you are aware that AI is here. The hype is off the charts. It’s early days, the wild west or whatever metaphor you choose to denote an overabundance of enthusiasm. We won’t waste your time making a prediction about how AI matters — we all know that the stakes are high.
:: DIVE IN | THE INTERVIEW ::
DARREN HERMAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BAIN CAPITAL
>> Darren Herman guest curated Strands on August 1st, 2024. Read it here.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what keeps you busy. How did you end up doing what you’re doing today?
From a young age, I was captivated by the world of technology and innovation. This passion led me to launch my first startup, IGA Worldwide, which pioneered the in-game advertising industry. My entrepreneurial journey didn't stop there; I continued to explore the intersection of technology and marketing with companies like Varick Media Management and KBS+ (formerly kirshenbaum bond). My time at KBS+ was particularly transformative, providing me with the opportunity to work alongside industry visionaries and refine my expertise in digital media and programmatic advertising. After KBS+ and MDC Partners, I went on to lead the building of the worlds first privacy preserving content and advertising recommendation system at scale (for 500M+ users) at Firefox/Mozilla.
Today, I'm a Managing Director at Bain Capital, where I've spent the past eight years helping portfolio companies across the globe drive growth and create value. My role allows me to combine my deep-rooted love for marketing with strategic investment insights, enabling businesses to innovate and thrive. Whether it's through developing cutting-edge marketing strategies, fostering omnichannel experiences, or leveraging data-driven insights, I remain deeply engaged in the ever-evolving landscape of marketing and advertising. Along the way, I've enjoyed sharing my journey and insights through my newsletter, The Operating Partner, connecting with thousands of readers each week.
What excites you most about what you do?
What excites me most about what I do is the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of marketing and innovation. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities to explore cutting-edge technologies and strategies. I thrive on the creativity and problem-solving aspects of my role, whether it’s devising a groundbreaking marketing campaign or identifying the next big investment opportunity.
Additionally, the chance to collaborate with diverse teams across the globe and witness firsthand the tangible impact of our efforts on portfolio companies is incredibly rewarding. Seeing these companies grow and succeed, knowing that I played a part in their journey, fuels my passion and keeps me motivated. It's this combination of constant learning, creativity, and tangible results that makes my work at Bain Capital so exhilarating.
What beliefs define your approach to work? How would you define your leadership style?
Several core beliefs define my approach to work:
Innovation and Adaptability: I believe in the power of innovation to drive success. In an ever-changing landscape, being adaptable and open to new ideas is crucial. I embrace change and seek out cutting-edge technologies and strategies to stay ahead.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Success is rarely achieved in isolation. I value the power of collaboration and believe that diverse teams bring the best solutions. Working with talented individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives enhances creativity and drives better outcomes.
Data-Driven Decision Making: I am a firm believer in the importance of data. Making informed decisions based on robust data and analytics helps to mitigate risks and maximize opportunities. I strive to ensure that all strategies are backed by solid data insights.
Customer-Centric Focus: Understanding and addressing the needs of customers is at the heart of everything I do. Whether it's developing a marketing campaign or investing in a new venture, the ultimate goal is to create value for the end user.
Continuous Learning: The journey of growth and learning never ends. I believe in the importance of continuous education and staying curious. This mindset not only helps in personal development but also in staying relevant and competitive in the industry.
What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on and why?
One of the most rewarding projects that I've worked on is the creation of the first privacy preserving content and advertising platforms while I was at Mozilla/Firefox. I list it in this category because it was hard.
First, we didn't have a team so we had to hire ad/martech experts but had to tell them they had to do things differently... can't use their historical privacy invasive approaches to solve the problem.
Second, we had to lay out a vision that our community of hundreds of millions of Firefox fans around the globe got behind. Well, we got many behind it but not all. We learned a ton about the different needs and wants of privacy based on geography. For instance, Germany is one of the most privacy sensitive countries.
Third, we had to build something that had never been done. We also had to sell it into the top publishers (we got 6 out of the top 10) and advertisers (4 out of the top 10) in the first 18 months.
We worked tirelessly to build and release. It was amazing to take this project from 0->1 and was one of the hardest 24 months that I've been though.
We are big believers in diversity -- Not only because we believe in equality, but because we also think it’s better for business. How do you frame these kinds of conversations, both internally and with clients? Is there an emphasis on action, or are the conversations really more about communication?
A very smart Chief Creative Officer always said, a "great idea can come from anyone" and I've always lived by that. I don't care who has the idea but do care that we put a set of diverse folks around the table who can help get to the great idea. We can crack anything if we put the right collection of minds around something.
Switching gears a bit, how do you find time to balance personal interests with your career? Do you believe work/life balance is possible? Anything you’ve implemented that you recommend that others try?
Candidly, I believe work/life balance is possible, but it depends on the role you have. If you are a founder or an executive, achieving balance can be quite challenging. When I was a founder, I was essentially married to my work, spending every waking hour on my startup. The sense of ownership and the need to deliver were driving forces. We had employees who depended on us to provide for their families, so the pressure to succeed was immense. I worked tirelessly to meet those expectations.
I do believe that work/life balance can be achieved, but it often requires stepping outside the traditional corporate environment.
That said, I have a wife and two teenage children and I cherish our vacations, concerts, and sporting events together. I try to maximize my time with them by being fully present during "off" hours and scheduling my meetings and calls very early or late in the day while traveling. It's not perfect, but it works for us.
What’s your media diet? Where do you find inspiration?
I read a ton. My homepage is TechMeme.com and I usually branch off that every morning. I try and read a range of views and do not always agree with them; but that allows me to understand and appreciate where people are coming from.
What’s the best piece of advice/knowledge you’ve stolen, and who/where’d you steal it from?
Fred Wilson, an investor renowned for co-founding Union Square Ventures, taught me two invaluable lessons:
The Benefit of Thinking in Public: His blog served as a guiding star for me, inspiring my own blog and newsletter. Sharing my thoughts and testing hypotheses publicly has been incredibly rewarding. The feedback I've received has been invaluable, and I've connected with many people I might not have met otherwise.
Double-Opt-In Introduction: I receive numerous requests to make introductions. I only facilitate these connections if both parties agree. This extra step ensures that introductions are mutually welcomed, avoiding awkward situations where one party is not interested. I appreciate it when others do this for me, so I uphold this standard for others.
What are your philanthropic activities?
Currently, I serve as the Chair of Silicon Alley Sports and sit on the Board of Trustees at Tremont School.
Silicon Alley Sports: I started this organization 18 years ago as a way to network with other Silicon Alley tech entrepreneurs, investors, and executives outside of the boardroom or conference hall. We play various sports, and all leftover funds from our events are donated to charity. In 2024 alone, we'll have over 200 participants across tennis, pickleball, and golf.
Tremont School: This US-based middle and high school supports the social, emotional, and academic learning of neurodiverse and neurotypical children. The school utilizes a living curriculum and employs a variety of innovative learning techniques to cater to each student's unique needs.
You can keep in touch with Darren on LinkedIn.
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rockON,
faris & rosie | your friends over at geniussteals.co
(still want more? @faris is still “tweeting” while @rosieyakob prefers instagram stories)