#39 - Getting a Billion People Working From Home
About This Episode
Jason Chicola, the founder of Rev and an early employee at Upwork, discusses the evolution of the remote work economy and how Rev utilizes a 'human-in-the-loop' model to scale transcription services. The episode explores the mechanics of building defensible marketplaces, the advantages of dual-office hubs like Austin and San Francisco, and the strategic value of crowdsourced sentiment testing for brand naming.
Episode Description
Key Takeaways
When joining an early-stage startup, propose a three-month trial period to demonstrate value and reduce information asymmetry before negotiating your final equity stake.
Design marketplaces around a 'Service' model that guarantees specific end-results rather than a 'Staffing' model where the customer must vet and manage individual freelancers.
Before investing in a brand name or domain, use crowdsourcing platforms like Mechanical Turk to survey people on their immediate word associations and emotional responses to the name.