Are you familiar with Bill Magnuson, the CEO of Braze? Maybe you know a little more about the company than you do about the man. Braze is something of a customer service company, one which is responsible for sending push alerts to your smartphone about any variety of subjects. Perhaps the bigger question is, what is the company’s CEO all about? Here are 10 things you might not know about him to get you started.
As a matter of fact, this was one of his first jobs. He was responsible for designing apps for Android phones. More specifically, he worked almost exclusively on a program called App Inventor, designed to connect Android smartphone users with various apps that could both improve and enhance their daily lives. This was right up his alley, as he has said repeatedly that he loves the challenge of making people’s lives better through the use of technology.
2. He made the Forbes list in 2019
Forbes Magazine has a famous list called “30 Under 30.” The list features the most prominent entrepreneurs that are under 30 years of age. It’s also one of the most exclusive lists in existence. To be honest, even some of the best entrepreneurs don’t make the list despite the fact that they have seemingly done everything right. The fact that he managed to make this list at all speaks volumes about his talent, ability and charisma. The fact that this is just one of his more minor achievements says even more.
3. That’s not the only award he’s ever received
Of course, this isn’t the only award that he’s ever had bestowed upon him. He was also named the Digiday Future Leader the same year that he made the Forbes list. It’s worth noting that he made a similar list as the one from Forbes in 2017, this time being awarded by Inc. All of these awards are quite an honor in and of themselves. To think that he was awarded so many of these similar honors in such a short time span says a great deal about his drive to succeed and his ability to deliver on his promises.
4. He loves making major brands more “human” for individuals
One of the things that he is focused on involves taking major brands and basically humanizing them for customer use. He has often stated that a lot of big companies, especially major brands, don’t genuinely connect with consumers. This can cause customers to feel as if they are on the outside looking in. In a worst-case scenario, it can even cause some consumers to choose to stop doing business with a certain brand because they don’t feel like they’re getting the personalized service that they would like to get in exchange for the money they are spending.
5. He believes technology can bring people and business together
He says that he has a genuine belief that technology can bring people and big businesses together, especially when it’s used the right way. That is something that he has set out to do with great intent. He says that traditionally, many major companies have utilized technology to make things work better on their end. However, the customer service side of things has often suffered. He has essentially made it his mission in life to correct that problem so that businesses can excel and customers can feel like they are getting their money’s worth, thereby benefiting everyone involved.
6. He’s a Minnesota native
Magnuson grew up in Minnesota. He says that’s one reason why he grew to love technology so much. As you can imagine, the winters in Minnesota can be quite severe. At times, it would become almost impossible to do anything of significance outdoors. As a result, he started to work with technology as a means of passing the time. It wasn’t long before he developed a genuine love for it and decided that he wanted to make it his career.
7. He attended MIT
Clearly, he didn’t just love technology. He also had a real aptitude for it. For many people, the very idea of being accepted to MIT is nothing but a daydream, something that is far removed from their reality. Magnuson was a shoo-in at the facility, even using his work that he was doing with Google as his thesis when he graduated.
8. He spent several years at Braze before he became CEO
For some reason, a lot of people have the idea that Magnuson immediately became the CEO of Braze. That isn’t true. In fact, he spent a little more than five years at the company as their Chief Technical Officer, or CTO. It was only after this that he was promoted to CEO and asked to step into that particular role. He says that even with his vast experience at the company, it was challenging. However, it was also a challenge that he has very much enjoyed thus far.
9. His endeavors come from a deeper need
Magnuson wants to help people communicate better because it’s a subject that is important to him on a personal level. Virtually everyone wants to learn how to communicate more effectively. The overwhelming majority of people simply want to be heard and feel that they have a voice. This is something that has always been near and dear to him throughout his entire life. As such, it only makes sense that he would eventually decide to work in an area that helps the general public communicate better.
10. He tends to be curious about almost everything
He says that he’s always been a curious individual. Of course, there are some things that interest him more than others. That said, he says that he’s always been curious about just about everything. He wants to learn as much as he can about things, even if it’s not something that he is acutely interested in doing in the long-term. For him, it’s all about making the most out of each day and learning as much as he can about everything because that’s what makes life interesting.
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