For Vestmark's VestmarkONE platform, should we prioritize adding new asset classes or improving performance for existing ones?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether to prioritize adding new asset classes or improving performance for existing ones on Vestmark's VestmarkONE platform. This decision is crucial for the platform's growth strategy and user satisfaction. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering market demands, technical feasibility, resource allocation, and potential impact on our user base and revenue streams.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on our current market position, I'm thinking our growth strategy might heavily influence this decision. Could you share more about our current market share and growth targets for VestmarkONE?

Why it matters: Helps determine if expansion or consolidation is more critical. Expected answer: Moderate market share with aggressive growth targets. Impact on approach: Would lean towards new asset classes if growth is primary focus.

• Considering user feedback, I'm assuming performance issues might be affecting retention. Can you provide insights on our current user satisfaction metrics and churn rate?

Why it matters: Balances growth with retention priorities. Expected answer: Some performance-related complaints, but not critical. Impact on approach: Would prioritize performance improvements if churn is high.

• Looking at our technical architecture, I'm curious about the scalability of our current system. How modular is our platform for adding new asset classes versus optimizing existing ones?

Why it matters: Influences the technical feasibility and resource requirements. Expected answer: Moderately modular, but some legacy systems present challenges. Impact on approach: Would factor in technical debt and development timelines.

• Regarding our team structure, I'm wondering about our current capacity and expertise. Do we have dedicated teams for new feature development and performance optimization?

Why it matters: Affects resource allocation and timeline considerations. Expected answer: Balanced teams, but limited specialized expertise in certain areas. Impact on approach: Would consider team restructuring or hiring needs.

• Considering market trends, I'm curious about emerging asset classes that might be game-changers. Are there any specific asset types our clients are increasingly requesting?

Why it matters: Identifies potential high-impact additions to the platform. Expected answer: Growing interest in alternative investments or ESG-focused assets. Impact on approach: Would prioritize new asset classes if strong market demand exists.