Shopify's Zero Sum Mastery Program

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Shopify's Zero Sum Mastery Program

They're making employees compete for raises (13 minutes)

HR Heretics

Apr 23, 2024

Transcript

In this segment , Nolan and Kelli discuss new information about Shopify's Mastery Program. Employees are assigned a mastery score, and if their score does not increase, they do not receive a raise. They cover the implications of this new approach, comparing it to previous systems used by other companies which also relied on ratings and algorithms to determine merit increases, and discuss the zero-sum paradigm in the workplace. While not exactly new, internal competition is front and center in Shopify’s experimental new program.

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This episode is brought to you by Attio

Attio is the next generation of CRM. It’s powerful, flexible and easily configures to the unique way your startup runs, whatever your go-to-market motion. The next era deserves a better CRM. Join Replicate, ElevenLabs, Modal and more at https://bit.ly/AttioHRHeretics

LINKS:

Shopify Mastery: https://www.shopify.com/news/mastery

Information article: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/shopify-employees-go-head-to-head-for-raises-in-new-ranking-system

KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Introduction to Shopify's Mastery Program Discussion

(04:34) Exploring the Broader Implications of Performance Review Systems

(08:59) A New Era of Performance Management and Employee Evaluation

(09:04) Sponsor: Attio CRM

(09:57) Nolan’s Time at Carta

(11:55) Commending More Experimentation

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After a decade+ of “blitz-scaling” companies, HR, talent, and People leaders now face an uncertain economy that has already seen big booms and busts. What will it take to construct the next generation of incredible businesses – and where can people leaders have the most business impact?

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Topics frequently touched on in this season include: building high performing cultures, compensation negotiation, performance reviews, company design, equity, M&As, recruiting the best talent, and how to manage your own psychology as a people leader.

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