"In the face of tough choices, I seek solace in my 'why,' illuminating the path to meaningful decisions."
Dvir Ben-Aroya is co-founder and CEO of Spike and has over 20 years of executive experience leading technology and internet companies. As an entrepreneur, he is passionate about creating SaaS businesses and nurturing them throughout their entire lifecycle.
When he’s not talking about how to improve modern communication, you can find him surfing with friends or running after his three boys.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Dvir Ben-Aroya: I’m Dvir Ben-Aroya, co-founder and CEO of Spike. I’ve always had a passion for technology and communications, which led me to co-found Spike. When I’m not working, you might find me catching waves, as I’m an avid surfer, or spending quality time with my three boys.
Spike is a conversational email app that aims to make your professional and personal communications as easy and seamless as possible. We’ve transformed traditional email into a powerful chat-like experience. Our goal is to break down the barriers of communication and make it more human and natural.
Email is still a powerful business communication tool, but it needs to evolve with the times. That’s why we’ve included features like real-time collaboration, built-in tasks and notes, and a unified inbox so you can manage all your work from one place. Our goal is to make email use more efficient and enjoyable for business teams everywhere.
Endless threads, repetitive headers, and signatures can clutter emails. Spike eliminates unnecessary distractions by transforming your email into a conversational experience, saving you valuable time. Our greatest strength lies in this approach, coupled with our commitment to simplicity and productivity. Essentially, Spike helps people communicate more effectively, save time, and manage their workday more efficiently.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Dvir Ben-Aroya: Spike has earned recognition as the world’s leading conversational email app on the market, boasting over 1 million active users globally. We have now taken our vision of modern and unified communication and collaboration to the next level by introducing an integrated email and messaging service tailored for businesses.
Spike for Teams tackles the issue of ‘communication chaos’ by combining email hosting, a next-generation email app, company-wide chat channels, document collaboration, video meetings, audio calls, dedicated groups, and much more into a single, unified feed that organizes information and minimizes distractions. It stands as the world’s first solution specifically designed as an end-to-end internal and external communication platform.
With Spike for Teams, support teams can provide rapid and precise responses using customizable message templates. Agencies can deliver top-tier service to their clients through various channels—email, chat, voice, and video.
Startups can keep everyone on the same page using private groups and public channels. Unlike other platforms that require everyone to be on the same platform for effective communication, Spike for Teams is built on the technology that powers email, giving it a unique edge. There is no “Spike connect” or any fancy add-ons – It just works seamlessly!
With Spike, communicating is a breeze, whether you’re connecting with colleagues within your organization or reaching out to people outside. Spike users or not.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Dvir Ben-Aroya: Looking back, one piece of advice I wish I had received when starting my business journey is to embrace challenges and see them as an opportunity for growth.
Challenges are inevitable in any business, but they can be turned into positive experiences if you approach them with the right mindset. When you embrace challenges, you are forced to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. So if you’re starting a business, don’t be afraid of challenges – embrace them! They may just be the key to your success.
As for the next quarter, we’re always looking to improve and innovate at Spike. One area we’re focusing on is enhancing our user experience even further. We’re constantly listening to our users’ feedback and learning from their needs.
We want to ensure that Spike is not just a tool that people use, but a tool that truly makes their lives easier and more productive. We’re also working on expanding our features and integrations to make Spike the go-to hub for all communication and collaboration needs.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Dvir Ben-Aroya: If I had to choose just one book, it would be “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek. This book has had a profound impact on how I view the world of business and leadership. Its simple, yet powerful concept – to start with the ‘why’ rather than the ‘what’ or ‘how’ – has completely transformed my perspective.
Sinek argues that the most successful organizations are those that have a clear sense of purpose, or “why.” They are able to communicate this purpose to their employees and customers, which inspires them to work together and create something truly special.
I have found this concept to be incredibly helpful in my own career. When I am faced with a difficult decision, I always try to go back to my “why.” This helps me to stay focused on what is truly important and to make decisions that are aligned with my values.
I highly recommend “Start with Why” to anyone who is looking to improve their leadership skills or to find more meaning in their work.
The book I’ve gifted the most is “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of the history of the human species, and it offers valuable insights into why our societies are the way they are today. I believe it’s important for anyone interested in understanding the larger context of our existence and the forces that shape our lives.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Dvir Ben-Aroya: The current business landscape is indeed filled with challenges, but also ripe with opportunities. One of the real challenges we’re facing right now is the rapid pace of marketing changes.
With the rise of digital platforms and the shift in consumer behavior, traditional marketing strategies are no longer as effective as they used to be. We need to constantly innovate and adapt our marketing efforts to reach our audience effectively.
Another challenge is the shifting market. The tech industry, in particular, is highly dynamic. New competitors emerge, customer expectations evolve, and technological advancements can disrupt the status quo overnight. Staying ahead of these shifts and being able to pivot quickly is crucial for our survival and growth.
Lastly, the current economic landscape, shaped by factors like the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, adds another layer of complexity. Economic uncertainty can impact customer spending, investment decisions, and overall business strategy. We need to be resilient and flexible, ready to adjust our plans and strategies in response to these economic changes.
Despite these challenges, I believe they also present growth opportunities. They push us to be more innovative, more customer-centric, and more resilient, which ultimately makes us a stronger company.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Dvir Ben-Aroya: One of the most underestimated parts of running a company is the importance of maintaining an open and approachable leadership style. It’s easy to get caught up in high-level strategy and decision-making and lose touch with the day-to-day operations and the people who make it all happen.
Having an open-door policy as a CEO is crucial. It’s not just about being available; it’s about being actively involved and understanding what everyone is working on. This approach allows me to stay updated on all aspects of the business and helps me make informed decisions.
For example, at Spike, I make it a point to regularly speak directly with employees across all teams. This not only gives me a firsthand understanding of the challenges they’re facing but also provides an opportunity to acknowledge their hard work and contributions. It fosters a culture of openness and mutual respect, where everyone feels valued and heard.
Being open, approachable, and part of the team also encourages a sense of unity and shared purpose. It’s about leading by example and showing that every role and every task matters. This, I believe, is a key ingredient to building a successful and sustainable company.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Dvir Ben-Aroya: If I could choose any business superpower, it would be the ability to predict the future with perfect accuracy. In the fast-paced world of tech startups, being able to foresee market trends, customer needs, and potential challenges would be an incredible advantage.
I would put this superpower into practice by using it to guide our product development and business strategy. We could always be one step ahead, innovating and adapting our product to meet future customer needs before they even realize them. It would also allow us to navigate any potential challenges or obstacles with ease, always staying ahead of the curve.
But since that superpower doesn’t exist, we rely on the next best thing: staying close to our customers, listening to their feedback, and continuously learning and adapting. That’s our real-world superpower.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Dvir Ben-Aroya for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Dvir Ben-Aroya or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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