Crain’s Chicago Business recently posted a video interview with Jason where he discusses avoiding structure, how interruption is the enemy of productivity, why it’s a good idea to emulate drug dealers, the secret to competing with free stuff, and more. Check it out.
Matt Radel
on 27 Aug 07Very nice. I love the crack analogy – makes total sense!
Dave Greiner
on 27 Aug 07Great interview Jason. You points about staying away from each other to get the most done really hit home to me. We’re in the process of changing our work environment right now purely to minimize interruptions and help our team stay in the zone.
Kris Khaira
on 28 Aug 07“Today’s kids are tomorrow’s customers”.
briano
on 28 Aug 07great anecdote about why you decided to go with jeff bezos. having someone in your corner for support seems so simple, but goes a long way.
the interview reminds me of brazilian ricardo semler of semco. he’s managed to build a very successful company that does little planning, has minimal structure and gives employees the responsibility and opportunity to make decisions.
this interview, so great!
JF
on 28 Aug 07Briano, Ricardo Semler is one of my business heros so I’m flattered by the comparison!
Seth
on 28 Aug 07All those customers and you can’t afford an iron JF? :)
Only kidding…cool interview. I like how you could barely keep a straight face when mentioning “the first hit’s free” mentality. hahah.
JF
on 28 Aug 07Seth: It’s called linen! ;)
Jack
on 28 Aug 07i work for a small company too. we have total of 20 people but only six on the dev team. Sadly, we are not lose structure. we have CEO, COO, Makreting, Project Manager…etc.
i agree with interruption is the biggest enemy of productive. sometime it is hard to work on something when your co -worker skype you something about what she/he did yesterday or whatever. i think it will be much better if we are allow to work remotely.
anyway, great interview.
Nic
on 28 Aug 07Working remotely is not going to stop that!
dushan
on 28 Aug 07Great Interview. I love the bit about planning. Reading Getting Real and Art of the Start I have a completely new view on plans.
JB
on 28 Aug 07Great! Check out Paul Graham’s “Holding a program in one’s head”.
JB
Cecil
on 30 Aug 07Great interview. Clear, simple, passionate.
This radical and alternative approach of the software business really reminds me of the emergence of the alternative rock scene in the early 80s.
Strong opinions, independence from major companies (read here investors) with complete control on the artistic aspect (read here strategy), keeping the energy, KISS and DIY approach of the punk scene (read web 1.0 start-ups) without the self destructive (read burning cash flow) drawbacks.
Just a comment though : regardless on how high I rate 37Signals, I still doubt you could get on the hardware or mobile market without getting bigger.
JF
on 31 Aug 07regardless on how high I rate 37Signals, I still doubt you could get on the hardware or mobile market without getting bigger.
The interview you saw was about 5 minutes picked out of about 60 minutes of footage. I don’t think we’re moving into the hardware area either—it was just a comment pulled without context.
The point was that we don’t plan and 4 years ago we were designing web sites for clients. We had no idea we’d be writing software that we’d sell over the web as a subscription-based service. So who knows what else we may do next.
Thanks for the kind words about the interview, BTW.
cecil
on 31 Aug 07I fully understand you guys dont have a plan. That’s what we love with your company.
What I was saying is that this very 37Signals strategy is a full match when it comes to deliver software through the internet.
My understanding is that your company has probably been one of the best in the IT industry to fully leverage the immense power of the so called web 2.0. If I may seize the chance, I talk about it there.
But on the other hand, I am not sure that this strategy would be such a fit in the hardware or mobile industry.
Dont get me wrong : I’m not saying you wouldn’t succeed.
sarah
on 02 Sep 07I don’t think it’s realistic to imagine that one can work without interruptions. More importantly, people need to learn how to speak to one another diplomatically and with respect.
And working remotely just increases the delay when something really needs to be discussed. Organization and structure still play a vital role in any business.
Too bad business doesn’t seem to have the class that it once did… drug dealers? Isn’t that the point of being in business… so that you can aspire to something higher than carnal desires and base mentality of snorting and scratching through your day?
sarah
on 02 Sep 07I don’t think it’s realistic to imagine that one can work without interruptions. More importantly, people need to learn how to speak to one another diplomatically and with respect.
And working remotely just increases the delay when something really needs to be discussed. Organization and structure still play a vital role in any business.
Too bad business doesn’t seem to have the class that it once did… drug dealers? Isn’t that the point of being in business… so that you can aspire to something higher than carnal desires and base mentality of snorting and scratching through your day?
JF
on 02 Sep 07I don’t think it’s realistic to imagine that one can work without interruptions. More importantly, people need to learn how to speak to one another diplomatically and with respect
1. Limiting interruption is the goal, not eliminating it completely. Longer stretches of interruption-free time allow you to focus on your work and get more things done.
2. We speak to each other often, diplomatically, and with respect. Limiting interruption has nothing to do with how we talk. In fact, it makes the times we do talk even more important.
David
on 03 Sep 07That interview hit home for me also.
@Sarah: Yeah I have a response…What?
:D (only the cool kids will get that)
This discussion is closed.