Lean Startup Machine weekends are a chance to apply the lean startup methodology by trying to build a startup in 48 hours. One of the key goals is demonstrating a process of learning. Learning takes various forms, and might include testing hypotheses through conversations, collecting qualitative and quantitative indicators of interest through surveys, creating MVPs [...]
Software Engineering Professionals has a brown bag system that has been going on for over a year now. This post will describe how this successful system works. Overview Brown bags (also known as ‘lunch and learns’) are a great way to spread knowledge among coworkers. They are a way for managers and employees to present [...]
Feb 4 11
Redundant Communication Redundancy
I’m sorry I wrote such a long letter. I did not have the time to write a short one. – Abraham Lincoln For a long time, I strove to be efficient in communication. I would carefully consider the right words for things, especially when writing. But I realize now that good communication should have some [...]
Jan 18 11
What Are Your Negative Gains?
I came upon a helpful tool for diagnosing why I sometimes do things that logically seem to be against my best interests. Odds are, you are probably doing it too without even knowing it.
Jan 14 11
Write-Copy-Fix-Refactor
Was writing some code the other day, and then wanted to have similar functionality in a different area of the codebase. I did not want to directly copy and paste, as I consider this to be a very recognizable code smell. Basically, copying and pasting is a clear indicator that there is similar structure that [...]
Jan 11 11
Avoiding Email and Twitter Overload
I recently watched Randy Pausch’s lecture on time management (1 hour). It’s a good reminder of things to consider when dealing with people and simultaneously trying to accomplish great things. Inspired, here are some of my communication management hacks. Generally, I subscribe to Paul Graham’s Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule. I attempt to identify large blocks [...]
Aug 19 10
What Does Everyone Know You For?
I can assure you that people believe you have skills that you don’t actually have. They also don’t know about some great skills that you do have. These phenomena are a result of personal marketing efforts–whether intended or unconscious. Owning concepts The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries and Jack Trout contain a [...]
