How can a networked product maintain its growth after hitting the ceiling?

Slack is indeed a network product, but it operates differently from Airbnb or Facebook.

Slack is a business communication platform that allows teams to collaborate in real time. It's a network product in the sense that it connects people within an organization, enabling them to share information and work together more efficiently.

On the other hand, Airbnb and Facebook are network products that connect different types of users. Airbnb connects hosts who have space to rent with travelers looking for accommodations. Facebook connects people for social interactions.

So, while all three are network products, they serve different purposes and connect different types of users.

Slack is a cloud-based team collaboration tool that was founded in 2013. It started as an internal tool for Stewart Butterfield's company Tiny Speck during the development of an online game. When the game didn't succeed, they decided to release the communication tool they had developed for their team.

Slack faced the 'Cold Start Problem' like many other networked products. This problem refers to the challenge of attracting users when the product's value is derived from its user base. In Slack's case, the more people use it, the more valuable it becomes as a communication tool.

To overcome this, Slack focused on small teams and companies, offering them a more efficient alternative to email. They also provided a freemium model, allowing teams to use it for free with the option to pay for additional features. This strategy allowed them to gradually build their user base and establish themselves as a leading tool for team collaboration.

Today, Slack is used by millions of people and companies worldwide for real-time messaging, archiving and search for modern teams.