In an era where the rules of business are being rewritten by the sweeping influence of digital transformation, which encompasses the strategic utilization of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing, Tomas Gorny, the visionary CEO of Nextiva, is redefining how we converse, connect, and serve customers.
His journey from a humble startup to leading the largest privately-held communications firm in the United States is a testament to the power of open-mindedness, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of a grand vision. This profound impact of digital transformation is evident across every industry, driven by the exponential growth of online commerce and the ongoing digitization of business and society.
Gorny’s road to success was far from conventional. In 2008, when Nextiva was launched, it was a mere blip on the radar of the communications sector. “Competitors laughed,” Gorny says. “We had no glamorous investors, and they recommended against joining us.”
The skepticism fueled his determination to challenge the status quo.
Bootstrapped for the majority of its existence, Nextiva defied the odds and secured a $200 million venture capital deal with Goldman Sachs in 2021, propelling its valuation to $2.7 billion, and catapulting it to the front burner of industry discourses.
The open-minded approach to transformation
Gorny believes that innovating and driving transformation could come with some risks. Still, such risks should serve as a motivation to unravel answers along the way. “To make an impact and solve problems in new ways, you have to roll up your sleeves and just get in the ring,” he says. “If your intentions are clear, you’ll figure it out as you go.”
This open-minded philosophy is at the heart of Nextiva’s culture, where ‘connected conversations’ have emerged as the bedrock of business success. With over 100,000 businesses relying on Nextiva’s platform, teams are empowered to synchronize their efforts and better serve their customers.
“Business conversations are in a state of crisis,” Gorny laments, emphasizing the dire need to revolutionize the customer experience. To solve this rising problem, the platform offers a plethora of communication channels — phone calls, emails, messaging, and social media.
Nextiva and Gorny have built and innovated a proprietary technology that consolidates conversation data into a single hub. This innovation enables businesses to streamline collaboration, automate repetitive tasks, and gain invaluable insights for creating improved customer experiences.
Cultivating open-mindedness
Tomas Gorny’s coaching for open-mindedness can be distilled into three principles: reflection on the past, vision for the future, and nurturing the present.
Looking to the past, the Nextiva CEO advocates for honest post-mortems. He acknowledges that success is a non-linear journey, marked by its share of setbacks. The ability to detach from a project and assess it with objectivity is crucial to unlock its full potential.
For the future, Gorny advises locking in on a grand vision, staying curious, and relentlessly seeking the best path to manifest that vision. He emphasizes the balance between being steadfast in your intentions and open-minded about the means to achieve them.
In the present, Gorny underscores the importance of providing individuals with the space to succeed. He recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective and that being open-minded as a leader means understanding how to bring out the best in each team member.
“We’re aligning the technology to meet customers wherever they are,” he says, underscoring Nextiva’s penchant for evolving with the times.