GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain registrar with over 85 million domains and 20 million customers worldwide, was founded in 1997 during the dot-com bubble. Since then, it has evolved into a key player in the digital space, with Aman Bhutani taking over as CEO in 2019. Prior to GoDaddy, Bhutani spent nearly a decade at Expedia Inc., where he served as Chief Technology Officer (2010-2015) and President of Brand Expedia Group (2015-2019). He has also held various leadership roles in tech at JPMorgan Chase and Washington Mutual, Inc.
Reflecting on his decision to join GoDaddy, Bhutani admitted he wasn’t fully aware of the company’s scope but became increasingly impressed as he delved into its operations. GoDaddy primarily serves small and micro-businesses, aiming to offer user-friendly services that help non-technical customers navigate the digital landscape. In 2023, the company joined the S&P 500, further cementing its position as a major player in the tech world.
Bhutani has been at the forefront of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into GoDaddy’s operations. The company introduced GoDaddy Airo, an AI-powered tool designed to help users build websites, create content, and design logos. The tool also generates marketing campaigns, from ads to email campaigns, making it easier for customers to manage their online presence. Internally, GoDaddy uses AI to optimise marketing efforts, assist customer support, and manage various processes.
Despite these advancements, GoDaddy has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly in cybersecurity. Between 2020 and 2023, the company was the target of multiple cyberattacks, which resulted in stolen passwords and malware installation. Although Bhutani remains committed to addressing these issues, he acknowledges that cybersecurity is a continuous challenge due to the evolving threat landscape.
Leadership Philosophy
Aman Bhutani’s leadership style revolves around discipline, hunger for improvement, and a commitment to self-betterment. Inspired by the Japanese concept of “shokunin,” which emphasises mastery and continual improvement of one’s craft, Bhutani strives to be “better every day.” His leadership philosophy is rooted in a personal desire for growth and a disciplined approach to improvement. He uses data-driven methods, even applying scientific analysis to personal habits, to measure incremental improvements and ensure he is continually advancing both personally and professionally.
Bhutani has praised Serena Williams for her relentless hunger for success, a trait he sees as vital for overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness. He applies this mentality in both his professional and personal life, emphasising that hunger and the drive to improve are key characteristics he looks for in employees, particularly in leadership roles. Skills and experience, while important, come secondary to a person’s inner drive.
In terms of leadership, Bhutani views being a senior leader in a public company as akin to competing in the Olympics—it’s the highest level of professional competition. He believes that every day is an opportunity to compete with oneself and strive for better performance, and he applies this philosophy to his leadership at GoDaddy. By measuring his own performance and breaking down goals into achievable, measurable increments, Bhutani maintains a constant focus on improvement.
GoDaddy’s Growth and S&P 500 Inclusion
GoDaddy’s inclusion in the S&P 500 in 2023 is a significant milestone for the company. For Bhutani, this accomplishment not only acknowledges GoDaddy’s financial success but also recognises the company’s role in serving small businesses and micro-enterprises worldwide. With 21 million paying customers, GoDaddy provides crucial services to small businesses, offering them the digital tools they need to thrive in a competitive marketplace.
The inclusion in the S&P 500 is also a recognition of GoDaddy’s stability and future potential. As a leader, Bhutani views this as a sign that GoDaddy has solidified its place as a company that is here to stay and make a lasting impact. He takes pride in GoDaddy’s ability to generate steady revenue from its customer base, noting that the company earns approximately $200 per customer per year—a significant amount for a tech company serving
small and micro-businesses.
The achievement further underscores Bhutani’s belief in the importance of discipline, measured growth, and the continual improvement of both himself and the company. He encourages his leadership team to view this milestone as a stepping stone to even greater success, focusing on GoDaddy’s purpose of empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs around the world.
AI and Innovation at GoDaddy
GoDaddy has embraced artificial intelligence as a core element of its operations, both for internal processes and customer-facing services. The company’s AI-powered tool, GoDaddy Airo, is designed to help small businesses create websites, write copy, design logos, and generate marketing content such as advertisements and email campaigns. The tool is particularly beneficial for non-technical users, providing a guided experience that helps them achieve professional results without needing extensive technical knowledge.
Internally, GoDaddy uses AI to enhance various business operations, including optimising marketing spend and improving customer support. The company uses a blend of proprietary AI models and external AI tools from major companies such as OpenAI and Microsoft, ensuring it leverages the best available technology while maintaining control over its own data.
Bhutani sees GoDaddy’s role as not just adopting AI, but transforming it to add value to the small businesses and entrepreneurs who rely on the company’s services. Rather than simply offering AI as a tool for content generation, GoDaddy provides a more curated experience, helping customers create meaningful digital assets that drive business success.
Bhutani is also mindful of the potential security risks posed by AI, particularly in the context of cybersecurity. As AI evolves, so do the threats that companies face, and Bhutani is committed to ensuring that GoDaddy stays ahead of these risks through continuous improvement in its security protocols.
Cybersecurity Challenges
GoDaddy faced a series of cybersecurity breaches between 2020 and 2023, when a hacker group repeatedly compromised the company’s systems. In one instance, the hackers installed malware on GoDaddy’s servers. These incidents underscored the challenges that large companies face in securing their systems, particularly as cyber threats continue to evolve.
Bhutani has made cybersecurity a top priority, engaging with the issue on a weekly basis to ensure that GoDaddy remains vigilant. The company has taken significant steps to improve its security measures, though Bhutani acknowledges that this is an ongoing battle. He emphasises that GoDaddy has become more sophisticated in its understanding of cyber threats and is quick to respond to any potential breaches.
While Bhutani remains focused on cybersecurity, he recognises that complete security is a moving target in the tech industry. With the integration of AI and other advanced technologies, the company must remain proactive in identifying and addressing new threats.
Board Membership and Broader Leadership
In addition to his role at GoDaddy, Bhutani serves on the board of The New York Times Company, an experience he describes as both challenging and rewarding. Being on a board, Bhutani notes, requires a different set of leadership skills compared to running a company. While a CEO is deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of a company, a board member must take a broader, more strategic view.
Bhutani views his role on The New York Times board as an opportunity to refine his ability to absorb large amounts of information, ask critical questions, and provide strategic guidance without becoming too entangled in the company’s operations. He emphasises that the role of a board member is to support and advise the company, ensuring that it meets its fiduciary responsibilities while maintaining a long-term vision for success.
Bhutani’s experience on the board has also reinforced his belief in the importance of listening more than speaking. He recalls advice from a former Expedia board member, Skip Battle, who praised his “ears to mouth ratio” and encouraged him to continue listening carefully before speaking. This simple yet profound advice has shaped Bhutani’s approach to leadership, both at GoDaddy and in his broader career.
Conclusion
Aman Bhutani’s leadership at GoDaddy is defined by his commitment to continual improvement, transparency, and discipline. His philosophy of getting better every day, combined with his focus on leveraging technology like AI to add value for customers, has helped GoDaddy maintain its position as a leader in the digital space. While challenges like cybersecurity breaches remain, Bhutani’s disciplined approach to leadership ensures that GoDaddy is well-positioned to overcome obstacles and continue serving its global customer base.
(Summary of an article by Tharin Pillay for The Times)
Read More: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-godaddys-ceo-strives-better-every-day-time-aqyif
