It all comes down to sales being easier to measure than other parts like development. Something like "doubling revenue" can be reasonably objectively measured.

It all comes down to sales being easier to measure than other parts like development. Something like "doubling revenue" can be reasonably objectively measured. Trying to do the same thing for a developer is way too hard: double X? halve X? where X is lines of code, bugs, hours of attendance, appraisal scores, or other measurements don't remotely cut it, and are easy to game. (Revenue can also be gamed to some degree, but people/companies parting with cash is a higher hurdle.) That let him make a measurable deal with Gates & Allen. A new developer as employee #30 doesn't have anything comparable.