Chambers Talks Episode 27: Achieving the American Dream with Hock Tan of Broadcom

In this episode of Chambers Talks, John Chambers converses with Hock Tan, CEO of Broadcom, about his remarkable journey from Malaysia to becoming a prominent leader in the tech industry. They discuss Tan's path to the U.S. for education at MIT and his career spanning multiple industries, including semiconductors, Pepsi, and General Motors. Tan emphasizes the importance of embracing mistakes for learning and growth. He also shares insights on the future of technology, particularly the potential of quantum computing, and his personal commitment to autism research. The conversation highlights innovation, leadership, and the enduring American dream.

• Discussion on tech disruption, leadership, and transformational growth.
• Interview with Hock Tan, CEO of Broadcom, about his journey and experiences.
• Focus on innovation, challenges, and the American dream.

"It's a discussion about tech disruption on a global basis, but it's also a discussion about leadership, lessons learned, both things we've done well and areas that we can improve on."

• The podcast aims to cover various aspects of technology and leadership, highlighting successes and areas for improvement.

• Hock Tan immigrated from Malaysia 50 years ago, initially seeking education rather than permanent immigration.
• He chose the US for its superior educational opportunities and sense of adventure.
• Despite financial constraints, he was able to attend MIT, exemplifying the American dream.

"I was just looking for great education and that's how I came to America. And the rest was really a sense of opportunity."

• Tan's journey was driven by a quest for quality education and the opportunities it could provide.

"I come from a family that's not well off. So I got the financial wherewithal to come out to us. I can't imagine too many countries in the world, if any other country who would do that with no strings attached."

• The US provided Tan with financial support and opportunities that were unparalleled elsewhere, highlighting the inclusivity and openness of American higher education.

• The American dream is still viable, offering opportunities for education and personal growth.
• American universities play a crucial role in diversifying and exposing students to different cultures and systems.

"To me, and I think quite a few of my friends and even family, this very altruistic action, and that's still the way I look at it by private American universities to actually diversify themselves in terms of bringing in smart students, young ones all over the world to have a chance to have a great education."

• Tan views the efforts by American universities to diversify as altruistic and essential for cultural exchange and education.

"Many people are thinking perhaps the American dream isn't an option like it used to be. How do you answer that question for young people or people joining your company?"

• There is a perception that the American dream is less accessible today, but Tan believes it remains a viable path for those seeking education and opportunity.

• Hock Tan is recognized as a leader in the technology and semiconductor industry, known for his innovative approach.
• Emphasis on transformational growth and the ability to reinvent oneself and one's company.

"You are the example of the American dream and you are, as I said earlier, a great friend who I trust completely."

• Tan is seen as a role model for achieving the American dream through leadership and innovation.

"Each time we talk, you get me to think much more in terms of what's possible."

• Tan's perspective encourages others to think broadly and consider the possibilities available to them.

• The American education system is seen as a gateway to numerous opportunities, despite its imperfections.
• Coming to America for education opens up options that might not exist elsewhere, contributing to the American dream.
• The influx of international students enhances the talent pool in the U.S., a unique phenomenon compared to other countries.

"It's not only great for the schools, it's not just great for students. I think it's great for the American system in total, because we don't have a perfect system, John. In us, we have social issues and all that. But you know what? At the end of the day, it's still very much better than lots of other places out there."

• The speaker acknowledges the flaws in the American system but emphasizes its comparative advantages and the opportunities it provides.

"And by so staying, it really increases to a tremendous extent the talent pool within this country. Something that I do not know any other country in the world can replicate."

• The presence of international students who choose to stay in the U.S. significantly enriches the country's talent pool, a benefit that is difficult for other nations to replicate.

• Transitioning across different industries, such as automotive and consumer goods, offers diverse learning experiences.
• Personal circumstances, like relationships, can influence career decisions and geographical moves.
• Having a mentor can significantly shape career paths and opportunities.

"I ended up in General Motors first after business school from Harvard, because I met my Ex wife when I was in in Harvard Business School in Boston. Then before I graduated she moved to New York and you know, I was in love. So I wanted to find a job in New York desperately when I graduated."

• Personal relationships can play a crucial role in career decisions, influencing job location and industry choices.

"I got myself a very good mentor in General Motors. At that time he was the vice president of finance of General Motors. So that's how I ended up in finance."

• The guidance of a mentor can have a profound impact on career direction, providing opportunities and shaping professional development.

• Quantum computing is viewed as a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize society.
• Current silicon-based computing is nearing its limits, making quantum computing a promising area for future development.

"If there's one area that I really like to focus on in the future is quantum computing. The ability to make quantum computing a day to day reality. Because that will transform everything else on this planet, in this society tremendously."

• Quantum computing is highlighted as a key area for future focus due to its potential to drastically change technological capabilities and societal functions.

• In technology and product development, anticipating market needs years in advance is crucial.
• The speaker reflects on various products developed, indicating a challenge in choosing a single favorite due to the diverse impact of each.

"Hawk when you build products you have to be three years ahead of your leading edge customers and they have to be two to three years ahead of the market."

• Successful product development requires foresight and the ability to predict future market demands, staying ahead of both customers and competitors.

"That's a, that's a hell of a difficult question John. It's like we do."

• The challenge in selecting a favorite product underscores the complexity and breadth of innovation in technology development.

• The current computing capabilities in data centers have reached their limits, particularly in the context of generative AI.
• The constraint is primarily in the ability to compute and process vast amounts of data effectively.
• A potential solution involves connecting numerous AI engines (GPU, TPU, CPU) to work as a unified supercomputing system.
• The challenge lies in efficiently transferring data between these computing engines, focusing on the switching and routing of data packets.

"We have reached the limits of computing in our data centers. In any functionality we have, we really have reached that limit."

• Highlights the current bottleneck in computing capabilities within data centers.

"What is also coming very apparent is well there are ways around it and one of the simplest ways around it is how do you hook up connect thousands, even hundreds of thousands in the future of process AI engines."

• Suggests a solution by connecting multiple AI engines to overcome computing limitations.

• Broadcom's model emphasizes both internal innovation and strategic acquisitions.
• The company has maintained a consistent business model for 17 years, focusing on evolving technology and seizing disruptive opportunities.
• Partnerships and acquisitions are key strategies for enhancing existing businesses and acquiring solid technological assets.
• The emphasis is on people and skills, rather than just patents, to drive future innovation.

"We have a model, Broadcom as a model and that truly hasn't changed. For the last 17 years I've been running Broadcom and before that Avago Technologies."

• Describes the long-standing and effective business model of Broadcom.

"If you have existing businesses, we try to do better with them through partnerships, as you say, John. But the other path we take very effectively, I think, is to seek out, identify very solid, very good businesses or products or assets out there in technology."

• Explains the dual approach of improving existing businesses and acquiring new ones.

"It's also more important is the people, a lot of engineers, technologies, who works in the company and who create the next generation."

• Emphasizes the importance of human capital in driving technological innovation.

• Mistakes and setbacks are seen as valuable learning experiences that shape leadership.
• The speaker has transitioned through various industries, learning from numerous mistakes along the way.
• The key is to avoid catastrophic mistakes and to learn from each misstep.
• Success can lead to complacency, while mistakes encourage reflection and improvement.

"The more mistakes I made, the more actually I really learned."

• Suggests that learning from mistakes is crucial for personal and professional growth.

"The key is not to make mistakes that are too bad that will blow you up. And secondly, to learn from it."

• Stresses the importance of managing risk and learning from errors.

"If you're not taking risks, good business risk, and occasionally making mistakes, you never disrupt."

• Highlights the necessity of risk-taking for innovation and disruption.

• The speaker discusses a personal connection to autism, emphasizing its significance due to having two children on the autism spectrum.
• The focus is on integrating autistic individuals into society and improving their quality of life.
• The speaker mentions involvement in research initiatives at MIT and Harvard, exploring genetic engineering as a potential avenue for finding a cure.

"As far as autism is concerned, it is a personal thing for me especially and my family, simply because I have two children who are in the spectrum is the best way to describe it."

• The speaker's personal experience with autism is a driving force behind their involvement and dedication to the cause.

"So we have spent a lot of time focused on neurodiversity especially, and on how they integrate into society."

• Emphasizes the importance of societal integration for individuals with autism.

"And they were approaching it from the viewpoint of genetic. Genetic engineering, genetic research."

• Highlights the exploration of genetic engineering as a potential solution for autism.

• The conversation touches on the rapid advancements in technology and innovation, which could potentially lead to breakthroughs in curing autism and other conditions.
• The speaker expresses optimism about the future possibilities that technology presents.

"But the neat thing is, Hawk, you're in a position where, you know, innovation and with new technology coming so quickly and the ability to do analysis at, you know, many, many factors faster than anybody ever thought, it's very possible that we will find that cure for autism, for various cancers, etc."

• Acknowledges the potential of technology to bring about significant medical advancements.

• A discussion on the importance of having a structured approach or "playbook" in business operations.
• The speaker emphasizes the value of longevity in a job and continuous learning over time.

"I wish I'd learned that earlier because I viewed that as process and bureaucracy and slow moving."

• Reflects on the past misconception about structured processes and their benefits.

"Longevity in a job is really what counts the most. You learn. We all never stop learning."

• Stresses the importance of staying in a position long enough to learn and grow.

• The speaker highlights the importance of continuous learning and the ability to reinvent oneself in a career.
• This approach is seen as beneficial for personal and professional growth.

"I find it the longer I am in the job, the more I actually learn."

• Suggests that extended experience in a role leads to greater learning opportunities.

"You've learned how to reinvent yourself and constantly learn. And I think that's a great message for the people listening today."

• Commends the ability to adapt and continuously acquire new knowledge as a valuable skill.