Transforming Workplace Culture: The Lattice Journey to Meaningful Employee Engagement
Company profile
Company business details
Motivation to build the product
The founders were motivated by the need to create a more meaningful work experience for employees and to address the shortcomings of traditional performance management systems. They recognized that many organizations struggled with employee engagement and development, which sparked the idea for Lattice.Problem that their product solves
Lattice solves the problem of ineffective performance management and employee engagement in organizations. The end users are HR professionals, managers, and employees who benefit from structured feedback, performance reviews, and career development tools. Solving this problem is important as it leads to improved employee satisfaction, retention, and overall organizational performance.Their unfair advantage
Lattice's unfair advantage lies in its focus on continuous feedback and employee development, which fosters a culture of growth and accountability, setting it apart from traditional performance management tools.Strategies
Pre-Launch (Product Development & MVP)
Product Market Fit Skepticism
Jack Altman, the cofounder of Lattice, emphasized the importance of being skeptical about achieving product market fit during the early stages of the company. In the first year, Lattice was building a product that received lukewarm interest, which led to a realization that they were pushing a boulder uphill rather than riding a wave of demand. He advised to iterate quickly and aggressively, assuming that product market fit had not been achieved until there was overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Iterative Product Development Based on User Feedback
During the early stages of Lattice, Jack and Eric launched an OKR tool to gauge interest in the market. They quickly realized that while there was initial interest, the retention rates were low, indicating that the product was not meeting user needs effectively. They used this feedback to pivot towards performance reviews, which they found to be a significant gap in the market. By actively listening to their users and adapting their product strategy accordingly, they were able to find product-market fit and secure annual contracts based on mock-ups of the new product.
Focus on Product Innovation
Jack Altman emphasized that founders should prioritize product innovation over other areas such as marketing or sales. He noted that in most cases, the most critical innovation needed is to improve the product itself. He advised against trying to create new marketing strategies or sales techniques, suggesting that it is often more effective to focus on refining the product. This approach was taken during the early stages of Lattice when they were still developing their core offerings.
Launch Stage
Building Relationships with HR Leaders
Jack Altman and his co-founder Eric Koslo initially focused on building relationships with HR leaders while developing their product. They engaged with CEOs and HR professionals to understand their pain points, which led to valuable insights about the HR software market. This approach allowed them to pivot from their original OKR tool to developing a performance review product that directly addressed the needs of their users. By fostering these connections, they were able to create a product that resonated with their target audience and ultimately led to the success of Lattice.
Utilizing Direct Customer Feedback for Product Development
Jack and his team at Lattice actively sought direct feedback from customers during the development of their HRIS product. They engaged with existing customers to understand their needs and preferences, which informed the design and functionality of the new product. This customer-centric approach ensured that the HRIS product would meet the demands of the market and provide real value to users.
Learn more about Lattice
A chat with Jack Altman, Cofounder & CEO of Lattice
Lessons in leadership | Scaling an org and tactical management advice | Jack Altman (Lattice)
Jack Altman on Founding Lattice ($3B), Motivating Employees and Growing up with Sam
