Jobaaj Stories
From Big Tech to Startup: Bhrighu Sareen's Journey from Microsoft to Highspot
Thinking about making the leap from the stability of a large tech company to the exhilarating chaos of a startup? Bhrighu Sareen, in a recent episode of Founded & Funded, shares his insightful experience transitioning from Microsoft to Highspot. Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon, or watch it on YouTube. This article summarizes his key takeaways, offering valuable advice for leaders contemplating a similar career shift.
The Allure of the Startup World
Sareen’s career at Microsoft spanned seventeen years, encompassing roles in Bing, MSN, Windows, and notably, Microsoft Teams – a project he joined pre-beta and helped scale to 300 million monthly active users. Despite this impressive success, he sought a new challenge, driven by a desire for deeper learning and greater agility. He explains that while Microsoft offered multiple career paths, the learning curve in a startup environment proved drastically steeper and more comprehensive.
Why Highspot?
Sareen chose Highspot for several compelling reasons. First, the people: he found the founders to be highly collaborative and genuinely invested in his success. Second, the space: Highspot's work in sales enablement represented a new and rapidly evolving sector for him. Third, the product: Highspot had a strong foundation with the potential for significant expansion into a multi-product company, which Sareen helped to realize. A chance meeting with the CEO, Robert, extended well beyond the scheduled time, further solidifying his positive impression of the company culture.
Navigating Founder Dynamics
Working directly with three highly engaged founders presented unique challenges. Sareen emphasizes the importance of open communication and relationship building. Regular meetings with the founders fostered trust and aligned everyone's focus on Highspot's overall success. He credits David, one of the founders, with providing invaluable mentorship and guidance, showcasing the importance of founder support in onboarding a new executive. By prioritizing Highspot's best interests above individual egos, a collaborative and highly productive environment was cultivated.
Initiatives and Structural Changes at Highspot
Sareen implemented several key initiatives to improve efficiency and product velocity. He introduced "edge meetings," two-week check-ins with smaller, cross-functional teams ("crews"), to proactively identify and resolve roadblocks. This fostered transparency and empowered each team member to have a voice. Furthermore, he strategically expanded the company’s engineering presence in Vancouver and India, creating centers of excellence and significantly broadening Highspot's talent pool.
Embracing AI-Driven Innovation
Highspot has always been an ML-based company, but Sareen’s leadership has accelerated the integration of AI across the platform. He highlights features like AI-powered coaching, content summarization, and automated document generation, demonstrating Highspot’s commitment to providing real-time, actionable insights for its customers. These AI enhancements are designed to improve efficiency and deliver tangible ROI for users, focusing on the crucial combination of ROI and user delight.
The Future of AI in Sales Enablement
Sareen anticipates continued rapid advancements in AI, particularly in the realm of agents and co-pilots. He envisions Highspot leveraging these technologies to further enhance productivity and deliver more seamless user experiences. The focus will remain on delivering measurable results and creating delightful experiences for customers. Natural language and voice interfaces will likely become increasingly prominent in Highspot's future offerings.
Conclusion
Bhrighu Sareen's journey provides a compelling case study for professionals considering a move from a large tech corporation to a startup. His success hinges on a strong emphasis on collaboration, clear communication, and a proactive approach to challenges. His insights offer valuable lessons for both aspiring leaders and established companies looking to harness the power of AI to drive growth and innovation.
Learn more about Highspot and Bhrighu Sareen's work by listening to the full podcast episode!
