In this exclusive interview, we dive into an engaging conversation with Jove Zhong, the Co-founder and Head of Product at Timeplus. Jove is a notable figure in the software engineering field and an accomplished business owner. While his professional accomplishments are worthy of discussion, what truly captivates us is his unconventional comparison of fatherhood to running a business.
Described as a “world-class dad” since 2010, Jove’s personal journey illuminates the intriguing parallels between nurturing a child and leading a company. From showcasing patience to offering explanations instead of merely delivering orders, he draws a compelling image of his dual roles.
This interview promises to serve an amalgamation of personal anecdotes, dad jokes, and profound insights on ambition and leadership. As we delve deeper, it becomes clear that Jove’s leadership style is inextricably tied to his unique perspective on parenting and life in general. The conversation goes beyond technology and entrepreneurship, touching upon the fundamental principles that make a truly impactful individual.
Balancing Bytes and Bedtimes: Jove Zhong’s Symbiotic Journey of Parenthood and Entrepreneurship
Heads up, folks! We’re entering the realm where dad jokes and business decisions converge. Brace yourself for a whirlwind tour through Jove’s life, as he charts his evolution from a software expert to a world-class dad, and the fascinating interplay between these roles. Jove, the Co-founder and Head of Product at Timeplus, weaves together the intricate narratives of fatherhood and business leadership into a compelling storyline that leaves you gasping for more. It’s a crazy, endearing ride, as he draws us into the world where boardrooms and baby talk intersect, offering a fresh take on entrepreneurship.
Nestled comfortably in this unconventional tale, we hear Jove deliver a priceless nugget, his defining philosophy of parenthood. In his words, “I see a lot of synergy between raising a kid and working our own company,” he reflects, thus distilling his mantra of being a parent and entrepreneur into one seamless journey. This, folks, is the essence of Jove – a masterclass in life management. His story strikes a chord, not just with parents or business leaders, but with anyone juggling multiple roles in their life.
I see a lot of synergy between raising a kid and working our own company
Jove ZhongCo-founder and Head of Product at Timeplus
However, Jove doesn’t stop at sharing his parenting strategies; he goes a step further, revealing a less-known facet of his personality – the ‘Dad jokester’. He fondly recounts his daughter’s reaction to his quintessential dad jokes, with their humorous banter adding a refreshing dose of laughter to their lives. In the process, he deftly dismantles the stereotype of the stern, business-minded father, redefining what it means to be a role model for one’s child. Through Jove’s lens, ambition morphs from a solitary pursuit into a shared journey of growth and discovery, underlining his nuanced approach to fatherhood and leadership.
Jove Zhong: From Computer Science Neophyte to Tech Tycoon, a Roller-Coaster Journey
Once upon a time, our guest today, Jove Zhong, didn’t know how to switch on a computer. Yes, you heard it right! This co-founder and tech wizard from Timeplus shares his awe-inspiring journey, detailing how he meandered his way into the tech world, lured by the choice of the majority rather than a personal passion. A decision made on the cusp of an all-important examination in China, choosing Computer Science was more of a leap of faith for Jove. “Many smart folks chose Computer Science. I had no idea what that was. But since many people chose, it must be okay,” he recalls with a chuckle.
Many smart folks chose Computer Science. I had no idea what that was. But since many people chose, it must be okay
Jove ZhongCo-founder and Head of Product at Timeplus
Jove’s narrative takes an intriguing turn as he delves into his academic years at Fudan University, one of the top institutions in China. He describes his initial fumblings with the subject matter, a world he was entirely alien to at the start. Yet, these hurdles didn’t deter him, and he gradually transformed his unfamiliarity into an asset. “I don’t really have a good idea about what computer science is when I choose the major… I have no idea about how intense it is, how impactful it is,” he admits, reflecting on his early journey.
Beyond the professional sphere, Jove shares some insightful anecdotes about his supportive family. Their laid-back approach towards his career choices helped him navigate his path with ease. “My parents don’t have much preference regarding whether computer science or being a doctor or lawyer. As long as you work very hard, you work as a team, you do something impactful,” he shares. A nugget of wisdom wrapped in familial warmth, that’s Jove Zhong for you! As we continue to navigate this fascinating conversation, it’s evident that Jove’s story is much more than a tech success tale; it’s a testament to the power of taking chances, persevering, and finding your own path.
Navigating the Waves of Change: The Transformation Journey of Tech Maven Jove
Redefining Growth and Finding New Challenges
Jove’s journey began in Stockholm and swiftly made its way through the tech corridors of IBM in Shanghai. Having spent a substantial part of his career in larger corporations like IBM and Splunk, Jove believes in staying put and growing within an organization rather than hopping jobs. He describes himself as a loyal employee, dedicating seven long years at Splunk, knowing every nook and cranny of the enterprise, from its product line to its leadership dynamics.
However, Jove’s growth-oriented mindset nudged him towards a path less taken. Jove recalls, “After almost 20 years of work experience, I felt like I needed to do something different. I wanted to acquire new skills and face new challenges.” The realization of stagnant personal growth despite corporate accomplishments propelled him into a mode he calls ‘outpost mode.’ This new phase, according to him, is more about facing challenges and stepping out of his comfort zone than anything else.
Leveraging Big-Tech Experience to Solve Big-Time Problems
Reflecting on his stint at large organizations like IBM and Splunk, Jove pointed out the pros and cons of both start-ups and bigger corporations. He recognized the valuable lessons learned from the structured processes of larger corporations, especially in enterprise software development. For Jove, these experiences provided a sense of what the ‘perfect world’ could look like with unlimited resources and a timeline.
However, Jove doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the significance of working in start-ups too. As he succinctly put it, “It’s always good to know what the first step is, then you know which one can be skipped.” He believes smaller companies and start-ups can definitely move fast by skipping certain steps but having knowledge from both sides is invaluable.
It’s always good to know what the first step is, then you know which one can be skipped
Jove ZhongCo-founder and Head of Product at Timeplus
A Fresh Chapter in Vancouver
Jove’s unexpected relocation to Vancouver, Canada, from Shanghai, China, is an interesting chapter of his life. Initially planned as a short-term exploration, his journey in the beautiful city transformed into a longer stay, thanks to the welcoming vibe and friendly people of Vancouver.
His curiosity for the software engineering landscape in Vancouver led him to join the Vancouver tech coffee, a weekly meetup for tech enthusiasts. Here, he found a thriving tech community, albeit on a smaller scale than he had experienced in the US. Nonetheless, he appreciates the personal connections built in Vancouver, treasuring the shared experiences and camaraderie that the tech community has to offer. Jove encapsulates his experiences beautifully with this quote, “We share some pain points, and you’d enjoy such a relationship with people in different companies. It’s not about using each other’s products or software; it’s just about connection.”
Cracking the Code with Jove: Unraveling the Data Engineering Journey and Unearthing Unconventional Wisdom
In an insightful exchange, Jove, Co-founder of Timeplus, expounded on the ethos that fuels his thriving venture. At the heart of Timeplus, he shared, is an aim to “help data engineers easily understand what’s going on in the data.” By cutting down data pipeline construction time from weeks or months to mere hours or days, Timeplus aspires to revolutionize the way we approach data. Remarkably, it can even cater to special cases requiring super-low latency as low as single-digit milliseconds. The core engine of Timeplus has been open-sourced at https://github.com/timeplus-io/proton, under Apache 2.0 License. Every one can try it easily to build analytics with this streaming OLAP database.
From his seven-year tenure at Splunk, Jove noticed the evolution of the IT landscape and recognized the need for a different design. The shift from an abundance of servers to a multitude of microservices, coupled with an increasing demand for more immediate data, signaled a change. His understanding was that “some of the design 20 years ago have to be changed,” hence triggering the creation of Timeplus. He later admitted that the transition from a leading engineer at a large company to a start-up co-founder was not without its challenges. No longer was it a straightforward path to scheduling calls with customers or having ready access to user feedback.
Yet Jove faced these challenges head-on, embarking on a journey to not only understand what should be built but also how to sell it and build meaningful relationships in the data ecosystem. A nugget of wisdom he shared was, “Find a good problem to solve. It’s not about being the most innovative or smartest person, but solving the right problem, even in a very kind of boring way.” This outlook seems to fuel Timeplus’s philosophy as the team strives to create solutions that cater to real, practical problems in data engineering. Jove reminded us that the path to success is a team play, and the most significant progress often comes from supporting each other, making the narrative of his journey even more compelling.
Find a good problem to solve. It’s not about being the most innovative or smartest person, but solving the right problem, even in a very kind of boring way
Jove ZhongCo-founder and Head of Product at Timeplus
