Happy Accidents #035 - Slack

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Get ready for another fascinating journey into the realm of accidental discoveries.

This time, we're diving into the captivating story of how Slack, the revolutionary communication platform, came to be.

It's a tale of pivots, unexpected feedback, and a sprinkle of serendipity that turned a gaming project into a global communication phenomenon.

Let's dig in, shall we?

SETTING THE STAGE

This is the part of every Happy Accident story where we see every successful outcome starts with the person putting themselves in a favorable position. They work hard, they try new things, they meet new people. They're not just sitting around 'hoping' to be successful some day.

Our story begins with a team passionately working on a multiplayer online game named Glitch.

In the year 2011, Stewart Butterfield, Eric Costello, Cal Henderson, and Serguei Mourachov had set their sites on creating the next big thing in the booming online gaming industry.

They worked tirelessly to build, market, and sell their new game.

But as fate would have it, Glitch failed to ignite the gaming world as anticipated. Although, it did grow a modest fan base of around 150k users.

People enjoyed the game that had them scavenging for weird items and talking to strange characters. But the revenue just wasn’t there to sustain the game further.

The team was at a crossroads, standing on the edge of a creative cliff, uncertain where to turn next.

THE HAPPY ACCIDENT

This is the part of every success story where there's a chance encounter, a serendipitous moment, an unintentional discovery (or Happy Accident) that paves the way for the next steps. In some cases, a Happy Accident can even be disguised as something bad in the moment.

The creators of Glitch were crushed…but also curious.

As they evaluated their situation, a remarkable discovery emerged.

One thing that stood out about the game was how much the players enjoyed talking to each other. The chat tool embedded in the game was a super popular feature.

But not just with the players, with staff as well! The chat tool was also used heavily by the team themselves to collaborate while building and scaling the game.

This tool streamlined conversations, file-sharing, and discussions in a way they had not foreseen.

In a twist of fate, a pivot was brewing.

CAPITALIZING

Just like Happy Accidents don't just fall into your lap (you need to set the stage first), they also don't turn into anything if you don't recognize them and take action. This is the part of every success story where we see people capitalizing on their Happy Accident.

In 2012, after deciding to shut down Glitch and armed with their new perspective, the team embarked on a transformational journey.

They shifted gears, diverting their attention from gaming to perfecting this accidental gem of a communication tool.

It was like realizing they had stumbled upon a buried treasure within their own backyard.

The team released a beta version of their newly reimagined tool, now named Slack, to a select group of users. But they were not prepared for the overwhelming response that awaited them.

Users were not just using Slack for work, they were integrating it into their personal lives as well. This unexpected embrace showcased the adaptability and universality of Slack's design.

As Slack continued to evolve, the team's commitment to listening to user feedback set them apart.

Every suggestion, every comment, every critique was considered as they refined the platform.

It was as if Slack was growing hand-in-hand with its users, turning the accidental discovery into a refined masterpiece.

By 2020, Slack would host 12 million daily users and 65 of the Fortune 100 companies!

A reminder that sometimes, the most brilliant inventions come from the most serendipitous accidents. Until next time, keep your eyes open for happy accidents that might just change the world.

TOO LONG; DIDN’T READ (TL;DR)

The invention of Slack was a happy accident born from the failure of a gaming company.

The team's internal communication tool gained more attention than the game itself, leading to the realization that their accidental creation could revolutionize workplace communication, eventually resulting in the widely used platform we know today.

Some fun facts:

• Within its first eight months of launch, Slack gained over 500,000 daily active users.

• The name Slack is an acronym for "Searchable Log of All Communication and Knowledge," highlighting its core functionality as a searchable platform for communication and information storage.

• Slack's domain name, "slack.com," was actually purchased from the owner of a defunct knife-making company that used to operate under the same name.

• Slack offers over 2,000 app integrations, allowing users to connect their favorite tools and services seamlessly.

The lessons here:

1. Embrace Pivots: Just as the Glitch team transitioned from gaming to communication, sometimes the greatest opportunities come from unexpected shifts.

2. Feedback is Gold: Slack's success story emphasizes the importance of actively seeking and valuing user feedback. It can turn a good idea into a phenomenal one.

3. Adapt and Evolve: The accidental creation of Slack showcases the power of adaptability. Stay open to unforeseen directions and be ready to evolve.

4. Serendipity Matters: Sometimes, the most remarkable discoveries are hidden in plain sight. Don't overlook the gems that might be right under your nose.

YOUR Happy Accidents

Check out this story from James Dayhuff on LinkedIn where he shares how his career took an unexpected turn after his boss took a chance on him.

Or this video from Lisa Wilson where she talks about two different chances encounters. One led her into leadership coaching, the other to a new car!

Hey, Dennis Geelen here. Author of the Happy Accidents newsletter.

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