Just over a year ago, the roles at Actionbound were reshuffled: Simon Zwick, one of the company’s two founders, stepped down as CEO to fully focus on product development again as Chief Product Officer (CPO). Bene Heiß took over as CEO. In this interview, the two reflect on a transformative year filled with fresh perspectives, new responsibilities, and a return to what matters most.
A new beginning that feels like coming home
Looking back on the past year, how does this new chapter feel today?
Simon: Honestly, it feels liberating. Not because leading the company was a burden, but because I finally have the time and headspace again for what originally got me excited about Actionbound: the product itself. I can already see how valuable that focus is. At the same time, I feel completely confident knowing the company is in Bene’s hands.
Bene: For me, it doesn’t really feel like a classic “new beginning.” It feels more like we’ve found our way back to working closely together again. Over the years, daily operations had pulled us into different directions. Now we’re collaborating much more like we did in the early days — just with more experience and structure. Back then, we relied a lot on instinct. Today, we make more intentional decisions.
From first sales hire to CEO
Bene, you joined Actionbound in 2013 as the company’s very first employee. What surprised you most about becoming CEO?
Bene: What surprised me most was how different the intensity of the role actually is. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what Simon did as CEO, but reality feels very different once you’re the one responsible. Some things take far longer than expected, while others move much faster. What I didn’t expect, though, was how much energy I’d get from strategic work and thinking about team structures. That part has become incredibly fulfilling for me. My background in sales helps a lot — I’ve been with the company for over ten years and have done almost every job here at some point. That insider perspective is incredibly valuable today because it helps me understand exactly what the teams need.
What matters more to you now than when you first stepped into the CEO role? Bene: Being available. At first, I underestimated how important it is to simply be there when challenges come up. I consciously try to leave open time in my calendar so the team always has space to reach out.
Why Simon’s return to Product Development is a game changer
Simon, you intentionally shifted your focus back to product development. How has your day-to-day work changed?
Simon: My calendar is much emptier now — at least when it comes to meetings — and that’s amazing. I can finally spend mornings with a fresh mind diving into creative processes instead of trying to squeeze creativity in between five different calls.
What were you able to accomplish this year that simply wasn’t possible before?
Simon: Without a doubt: the quality and speed of our current relaunch. Without this renewed focus, we never would have reached this level with the new app and the updated Bound Creator. I’m much more involved again as a bridge between design and development, and my original vision for Actionbound can now directly shape new features and ideas.
Stronger together: A new dynamic
How has your collaboration changed?
Bene: In the past, I often worked more for Simon or reported to him. Today, we meet on a completely different level when it comes to decision-making. We’ve learned that we don’t need to handle everything together anymore. Sometimes one of us fully owns a topic — and that creates trust while saving time.
Simon: What I really appreciate about Bene is his reliability. He often notices challenges before anyone else does. At the same time, he constantly broadens my perspective. We approach things very differently, but that’s exactly why it works so well. I tend to dive deep into details, while Bene pushes us to make decisions and keep moving forward.
Looking ahead: What’s next?
What can users look forward to in the future?
Simon: The relaunch is obviously our next big milestone. After that, I want to focus even more on features that encourage social learning and collaboration. We also want to involve our community more closely in product development again. Soon, I’ll even be returning to a school myself to support a project firsthand — because nothing replaces real feedback from the people actually using Actionbound.
Bene: Over the past year, we’ve laid a huge amount of groundwork behind the scenes. It honestly feels like the start of a new era for Actionbound. We’ve become more innovative, more focused, and more impactful — and we’re incredibly excited to turn all of that into tangible results.
Quick Fire Round: Either / Or
To wrap things up, we challenged Simon and Bene with a few rapid-fire “either/or” questions. No overthinking — just gut reactions. A small glimpse into how our CEO and CPO think, compare, and complement each other.
A new chapter, the same passion
Simon & Bene: “A new beginning is rarely a clean cut — it’s a shared process. After one year in this new setup, we can confidently say: it doesn’t just feel right, it feels like Actionbound. This leadership shift was the key step that allowed us not only to stabilize the company, but to continue developing it with a strong vision for the future.
Today, Simon is once again shaping the product vision with the same excitement as in the early days, while Bene is building strategic clarity across the company with a strong focus on people and collaboration. Together, we’ve become more focused on what truly matters: creating a product that connects people, and building a company culture that gives the team the support they need to thrive. We’re ready for the next era — and excited for everything that’s ahead.”