CEOs who aspire to lead effectively in the future must navigate the complexities of an ever-changing business landscape and rapidly evolving technology. Adapting to these shifts can be challenging, as leaders strive to make decisions today that will steer their companies toward success tomorrow.
Chris Lamontagne, the CEO of Teespring, an e-commerce platform for creating and selling products, is a prime example of a CEO who understands the art of cultivating a successful business and platform amid this dynamic change. Teespring is a tech company that specializes in collaborating with individuals passionate about fostering social awareness through social commerce.
Lamontagne’s leadership offers valuable insights for those aspiring to lead effectively, focusing on the future of technology, the significance of social commerce, turnaround strategies, and managing teams during challenging times.
Ken Gosnell:
As CEO of Teespring, you have placed a significant emphasis on strategic partnerships as a means of achieving growth. What does it mean to you to be the right partner, and what qualities define a successful partnership?
Chris Lamontagne:
Strategic partnerships have become pivotal to our growth strategy. It all starts with putting our partners at the forefront of our efforts. We place a strong emphasis on understanding precisely what our partners aim to gain from their relationship with us. We commit to exceeding their expectations by consistently delivering ahead of deadlines, surpassing performance benchmarks, offering swift responses, and consistently proposing ideas that add value.
Ken Gosnell:
The tech industry is known for startups proliferating at a rapid pace, but many also fail. What is the key to staying ahead in such a rapidly evolving sector?
Chris Lamontagne:
To remain competitive in the tech industry, it’s vital to create a strong ecosystem by closely monitoring how other companies in related sectors adapt to change. This involves staying updated on industry trends, attending events, networking with industry experts, and engaging in extensive reading. Additionally, establishing an insights team focused on forecasting trends and innovations that may impact our business in the coming months has proven to be a successful strategy.
Ken Gosnell:
You’ve been a proponent of growth as a CEO. What are your thoughts on growth as a key driver of success for tech companies?
Chris Lamontagne:
Leading growth at various companies has taught me that there’s no single, foolproof method for achieving growth. Instead, it’s a journey of continuous iteration and unwavering determination that ultimately leads to success. As a CEO, I’m still learning and evolving, and I’m fortunate to have a dedicated leadership team and supportive board to assist me in this process.
Ken Gosnell:
You have a strong focus on understanding today’s connected customers. Why is this aspect of customer interaction so important to you?
Chris Lamontagne:
In today’s digital age, customer connectivity has become the norm, and every business, regardless of its size, must harness the wealth of data available to better understand its customers and target audience. My previous role afforded me the opportunity to collaborate closely with leading ethnography specialists and service designers, giving me a profound appreciation for the transformative power of understanding the customer. This experience fuels my passion for connecting with the modern, connected customer.
Ken Gosnell:
As an inquisitive leader, you embarked on a listening tour of tech companies when you first became CEO. What inspired this tour, and what were you hoping to achieve?
Chris Lamontagne:
In all honesty, it was more of a “I want to work with you” tour in disguise! My motivation was to study the success of other companies and explore how we could integrate those insights into our business endeavors.
Ken Gosnell:
Maintaining customer intimacy is crucial, even for tech companies. How do you ensure that Teespring stays close to its customers?
Chris Lamontagne:
We have a growing customer base, and we acknowledge that we can do better in terms of staying connected with our customers. In the coming months, we are placing a stronger emphasis on clearly defining who our customers are and how essential they are to our business. This process is the first step toward improved customer engagement.
Ken Gosnell:
Building the right team is vital for a company’s success. What criteria or values do you consider when appointing individuals to critical roles within your organization?
Chris Lamontagne:
The energy and enthusiasm of an individual are often underestimated, and it can make a significant difference between an A+ and a B+ player. We view all roles within our organization as critical, and we seek employees who are passionate about their work. This concept may sound clichéd, but the difference between someone who genuinely cares and someone who doesn’t is evident. We are constantly on the lookout for individuals who exemplify this passion when bringing them into our business.
Ken Gosnell:
Teespring is an e-commerce platform with a focus on social commerce. Why is social commerce important, and what should creators know about your platform and the benefits of partnering with you?
Chris Lamontagne:
Social commerce is still a relatively new concept, despite various iterations throughout the internet’s evolution. We believe there is much more to be explored in this space. We envision a world where anyone with an idea can establish a business, eliminating the complexities that traditionally hindered such ventures. For content creators, we see a convergence of content and commerce across various platforms we use daily, such as YouTube’s Merchandise Shelf, Instagram shopping, Facebook’s Newsfeed, and Snap Commerce. Our aim is to provide creators with additional opportunities to sell unique products that resonate with their communities.
