Slack + Salesforce Emergency Pod with Packy McCormick of Not Boring

This Acquired podcast episode discusses Salesforce's acquisition of Slack, featuring Packy McCormick of Not Boring as a guest. The hosts and guest analyze the deal's strategic implications, exploring the reasons behind Slack's undervalued stock price (primarily the perceived threat from Microsoft Teams) and Salesforce's motivations (distribution and building a "best-of-breed" enterprise software ecosystem). McCormick expresses mixed feelings, acknowledging the win for early investors but expressing disappointment at Slack's unrealized potential as an independent company. The discussion also touches upon alternative acquirers (Google, Zoom) and the future of enterprise software consolidation. A key takeaway is the significant premium Salesforce paid for Slack (55%), highlighting the strategic value placed on Slack's platform and potential for growth within the Salesforce ecosystem.

Outlines

Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.

Continue

Acquired

Introduction and Guest Introduction

Contextualizing the Slack Acquisition

Packy McCormick's Bull Case for Slack

The Microsoft Teams Threat and Slack's Undervaluation

Comparing Slack and Microsoft Teams User Base and Strategies

The Anti-Microsoft Consolidation and Best-of-Breed Applications

Salesforce's Acquisition Strategy and Integration of Slack

Strategic Importance of Slack Connect

Slack's Marketing and Messaging Challenges and Acquisition Rationale

Slack's Growth Slowdown and Reasons for Selling

Rebundling of Enterprise Sales and the Bear Case for Slack

Discord as a Potential Competitor and Slack's Future

Investment Strategies and Tencent's Portfolio

Summary of the Slack Acquisition and Key Takeaways

Salesforce's Acquisition Strategy and Growth Through Acquisitions

Alternative Acquirers and Zoom's Potential Role

Grading Slack's Public Company Tenure

Future Scenarios for Slack within Salesforce

Slack + Salesforce Emergency Pod with Packy McCormick of Not Boring

Acquired

00:20Introduction and Guest Introduction

Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:20Contextualizing the Slack Acquisition

Contextualizing the Slack Acquisition

04:41Packy McCormick's Bull Case for Slack

Packy McCormick's Bull Case for Slack

10:44The Microsoft Teams Threat and Slack's Undervaluation

The Microsoft Teams Threat and Slack's Undervaluation

13:09Comparing Slack and Microsoft Teams User Base and Strategies

Comparing Slack and Microsoft Teams User Base and Strategies

20:54The Anti-Microsoft Consolidation and Best-of-Breed Applications

The Anti-Microsoft Consolidation and Best-of-Breed Applications

24:16Salesforce's Acquisition Strategy and Integration of Slack

Salesforce's Acquisition Strategy and Integration of Slack

30:02Strategic Importance of Slack Connect

Strategic Importance of Slack Connect

34:13Slack's Marketing and Messaging Challenges and Acquisition Rationale

Slack's Marketing and Messaging Challenges and Acquisition Rationale

40:45Slack's Growth Slowdown and Reasons for Selling

Slack's Growth Slowdown and Reasons for Selling

46:00Rebundling of Enterprise Sales and the Bear Case for Slack

Rebundling of Enterprise Sales and the Bear Case for Slack

51:11Discord as a Potential Competitor and Slack's Future

Discord as a Potential Competitor and Slack's Future

58:08Investment Strategies and Tencent's Portfolio

Investment Strategies and Tencent's Portfolio

1:01:00Summary of the Slack Acquisition and Key Takeaways

Summary of the Slack Acquisition and Key Takeaways

1:03:31Salesforce's Acquisition Strategy and Growth Through Acquisitions

Salesforce's Acquisition Strategy and Growth Through Acquisitions

1:11:03Alternative Acquirers and Zoom's Potential Role

Alternative Acquirers and Zoom's Potential Role

1:15:06Grading Slack's Public Company Tenure

Grading Slack's Public Company Tenure

1:21:35Future Scenarios for Slack within Salesforce

Future Scenarios for Slack within Salesforce