SPC In The Wild: Profound

Key Concepts

• AI Answer Engines: Platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and C-Pilot that provide direct answers to user queries.
• Visibility and Presence Management: The core service offered by Profound, focusing on how companies appear and are managed within AI answer engines.
• Enterprise SaaS: Software as a Service sold to large organizations.
• Work Trial System: A method used by Profound to assess new candidates through practical work assignments.
• South Park Commons (SPC): An organization or community that Profound alums are associated with.

Profound: Managing Visibility in AI Answer Engines

This video introduces Profound, a company founded by SPC alums Dylan and James, which is developing technology to help businesses manage their visibility and presence within AI answer engines. These engines include popular platforms such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and C-Pilot.

Office Tour and Company Culture

The video provides a brief tour of Profound's office, highlighting various aspects of their workspace and company culture:

• Workspace: The office features a corner office with good natural light, conference rooms, and a large central room. The team's growth is evident, with new desks being added regularly, indicating a rapidly expanding team.
• Team Camaraderie: James expresses his favorite part of the office is being in the big room with his team, emphasizing a sense of belonging and feeling at home regardless of location within the office.
• Sales Bell Tradition: A significant tradition at Profound is the sales bell, which was initiated when the company was smaller. The bell is rung whenever a deal is closed, fostering a celebratory atmosphere. The sales and post-sales teams are prominently featured around this area.
• Phone Booth Setup: Profound gained attention on Twitter for its "ridiculous" phone booth setup. This was implemented to provide a quiet and professional environment for Enterprise SaaS sales calls, which are predominantly conducted over Zoom.
• Team Expansion: The rapid expansion of the team is visually represented by the continuous addition of new desks, with the office becoming increasingly "cramped" but managed effectively.

Engineering and Hiring Practices

Charles, the founding engineer, is introduced, and the discussion touches upon their hiring process:

• Work Trial System: Profound utilizes a work trial system for new candidates. This methodology allows them to assess the performance of potential hires through practical assignments.
• New Hire Highlight: The video showcases a new, promising team member, referred to as a "rising star," whose performance has impressed the company. The team is confident in offering this individual a position based on their trial performance.

Company Milestones and Amenities

• Coffee Machine: A notable amenity is the coffee machine, purchased shortly after the company moved out of South Park Commons. The brand is identified as "Mle" (or possibly "Mila").

Conclusion

Profound is actively building technology to address the emerging need for companies to manage their presence and visibility within the rapidly growing landscape of AI answer engines. Their office environment reflects a dynamic and expanding team with a strong emphasis on culture, tradition, and effective hiring practices. The company's focus on Enterprise SaaS sales and its innovative approach to workspace solutions, like the phone booths, underscore their commitment to operational excellence.