David Cain
VP, Marketing Communications
Born:
London, UK
Prior Experience:
SuccessFactors—Director, Marketing—SMB
OpenTable—Sr. Manager, Marketing
The Pacific Firm—Co-Founder
Education:
University of Michigan—BA, Psychology
UC Berkeley Haas School of Business—MBA
What I like to do outside of work:
I'm the father of teenage twins (a boy and a girl) and they keep me pretty busy outside of work. If I'm not driving one of them to soccer practice or to a friend's house I enjoy goofing around on my guitar, seeing live music, keeping up with the latest web crazes, watching Charlie Rose, checking out the latest movies and playing a little tennis now and then. Lately I've been doing a variety of touristy things right here in the Bay Area. It's amazing how much you can see in your own backyard when you put your tourist lenses on. I highly recommend renting one of those little yellow Go Cars in SF. We did that recently and had a blast.
Q: Where in your background did you learn the most?
A: I was an Army Brat growing up so I moved around all over the world as a kid. It was tough at times but it was also incredibly educational for me. Not many American kids get to walk through rice fields in Korea on their way to school in 2nd grade or skateboard into a crater in Hawaii on their way home. I learned an incredible amount about the diversity of people and cultures on this planet and those lessons still help me navigate life both professionally and socially.
Q: If you could meet one person in history, who would you meet and why?
A: There are so many great choices. JFK, John Lennon, Ghandi, Einstein, Elvis, Lincoln, MLK... the list of greats goes on and on. If I had to pick just one it would probably be Mr. Benjamin Franklin because he accomplished so much in so many different areas of life. They just don't make them like that anymore.
Q: What's been your biggest surprise during your time at SuccessFactors?
A: I knew from my first interview that SuccessFactors was a special company but I didn't realize just how talented and passionate the people were going to be. That has exceeded my expectations in a big way.
Q: If you had 20 seconds to tell a new client about why they should use SuccessFactors, what would you say?
A: I would tell them SuccessFactors can help address the most important challenge in business today, which is "how to ensure great EXECUTION". Having a strategy is incredibly important but to turn that strategy into success you have to execute on it well. SuccessFactors helps companies execute on their strategies in a way that no other solution can. It's as simple as that.
Q: Why do you believe in the promise of Business Execution Software?
A: I believe in it for a few simple reasons. First, software companies have proven time and time again that applying cutting-edge technology to solve the most important business problems out there can drive incredible results for organizations if it is done well. In our case we are solving the most important business challenge there is and we’re doing it well. I also believe in the promise because I hear directly from customers every day who are getting real results using our solutions. Nearly 6 MILLION happy users can't be wrong.
Q: Why are you proud to work at SuccessFactors?
A: We're truly revolutionizing the way companies around the world do business. I'm very proud that organizations of all sizes and in all industries are benefitting from SuccessFactors every day. And I'm also very proud to work the amazing people I work with. They are truly awesome and they make it fun to come to work every day.
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