It's about the users
written by Steven on October 21, 2008
We had a prospective client fly into Jacksonville to meet with us yesterday. I was here in person and Allan was videoing in from his vacation spot in the Bahamas. (Yes we work on vacation.) The client flew to the airport, took a taxi to Panera's, had a meeting with us, took a taxi back to the airport and flew home. Apparently he has been doing this with various development shops around the country.
Before the meeting this morning we exchanged emails wherein we described what we were wearing. After describing myself as having "dyed red hair and nose and eyebrow rings," he replied that he didn't think I would mind him wearing jeans.
During the meeting I mentioned that since this is such a large project, Allan might decide to redesign the site(s) before launch. I explained that Allan has a strong desire to create websites that make users feel so strongly that they pressure their friends into using it. I continued to explain that for us, building web sites is not about our ego, it's about the users. To this the client volunteered that this was the component that seemed to be missing when he talked to other firms. That we "got it," while they did not.
After the meeting I thought about his comment regarding the jeans. Have people actually cared what he wore? Do some people actually pick who they will work with based on how professional their dress is? As always I say "fuck professionalism." Being "Professional" means being slow, and catering to the lowest common denominator. Making things as bland as possible so you don't hurt anyone's feelings and making sure everyone who sits through the meeting gets a say. I've been a professional most of my adult life, and only now that I am not a professional am I able to put the users first. To create things for them instead of for some stupid mid-level manager who shits on his underlings while licking the asshole of his superiors. Why do you think most managers have bad breath?
I don't know if we'll get this project or not. I would like to get it. Not because it's for a big name client (because we'll likely never mention their name, it's not our style) but because we like working with clients that also "get it." We like working with people who want us to make something that stirs the hearts of users. Something people love. That's what we do.
And that's what you should do. Always. The next time you meet with prospective client that wants to make a newer, better Sharepoint or clone Basecamp or replace MySpace, tell them thanks, but no thanks. Recommend them to a friend, but don't take the project. Only take projects where you can do your best work. Where you can be proud of what you did. Even if you never tell anyone it was you.
Or, if you're hiring someone to help you develop your idea, only hire someone who believes your success will come from the way the people feel about your company and who puts themselves into your project.
If I've offended you with my language or graphic imagery, please copy and paste this post into your favorite text editor, then cut out the offensive lines and read it again.
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Steven Bristol has written code for the past 20 years. He like green vegetables and kittens, oh and butterflies too. He loves to throw ninja stars at his enemies.
5 Comments
Great post, Steven.
I’m all about working with the few that “get it” rather than trying to convert the masses that never will.
Also, great definition of a professional. This is one of the reasons I left the starched white shirt, suit & tie world to work on my own and on my own terms.
Hope you win the account, and if you do, you’ll know you won it because it was the right fit, not because you told a client what they wanted to hear
LOL. My favorite written piece this month!
my favorite paragraph (other than your description of a professional of course):
“…The next time you meet with prospective client that wants to make a newer, better Sharepoint or clone Basecamp or replace MySpace, , tell them thanks, but no thanks….Only take projects where you can do your best work.”
How many times have my bosses wanted to do just that. Every time there is a big buyout by Google, these people want to clone the same thing.
Anyway, this made my day! Hope you get the job!
Just look around the economy – how many “professionals” (in suits) have had a hand in inflating and subsequently dragging down the economy?
I nearly suffocated in a job where your appearance was closely scrutinized. A place with little freedom of expression can’t hope to benefit from the creativity of their employees.
From a “do your best work” standpoint, those apps you mention are closed source. The authors weren’t as considerate of those who follow to open them up (as you have with Lovd….). Lots of prospective clients are clamoring for a Sharepoint/BaseCamp/MySpace/etc that integrates tightly with their business, and possibly is only available internally. Those users matter just as much, maybe more, since many have been suffering with green screens and legacy apps for way too long.
I like the philosophy of HashRocket, where they retain ownership of the plumbing they do. I think that lets one innovate and reuse, while providing the value to the users.
“because we’ll likely never mention their name, it’s not our style”
How very professional of you… please don’t shoot me! ;)
Great post :) It made me think how special the two of you are. You cut to the point making everyone you work with feel at a equal level. You have such talent for thinking up new ideas and making the product a reality to your users that is easy to use. I wish the both of you only the best. God knows the both of you work hard enough for it.