Talk Tuesday: Off the Beaten Path to Building Web Apps
Unconventional
This talk is from the 2008 Business of Software conference. Jason Fried from 37Signals gives an insight into how they work. As usual, he brings forth some very unconventional ideas which sets your mind thinking. Some people, maybe most, would disagree with some points. But I actually get him (at least on most points).
He says working remotely is more productive than working together on location. He also says that 37Signals doesn't spend time planning a product, or creating wireframes, specs and user personas. They just dive straight in armed only with a "brief story(2 paras)" and take it from there.
Size Does Matter
Jason agrees with Seth Godin on the fact that bigger is not always better. There is an optimal size for each company. You should find it, and stay within it.
The same goes to products. You don't have to solve a big problem to make money. There's a lot of money to be made in solving simple problems. E.g. PostIt notes. More features on a product doesn't to quote:
None of the stuff is that hard. Anyone can build a project management tool. What differentiates your product is what actually goes on the wall. What are the museum pieces in your product? You have to be an editor and a curator. You have to say "no" to more things than you say "yes" to. That's what really separates every company.
Productivity
37Signals has 4 day work weeks. Friday is work. As a result, they are more productive and get more work done. The logic behind it is that when you have more time to do things, you spread things out. Less time means you prioritize more effectively and cut out the unnecessary stuff.
Something that has to be done on Friday at 4 o'clock doesn't really have to be done on Friday at 4 o'clock. It might as well be done on Monday. The idea that you are having a productive day on Friday in the afternoon is just BS.
Totally agree with that. Something I'm going to try out next week.
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