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Fun article. This Shaw guy is a real character! I suppose the author is criticizing him, but I ended up liking Shaw from the article.

sokoloff 7y ago
I worked in a Cambridge MA based DESCo company 1997-2000 and I have to say the caliber of talent across the company (all roles/levels, our receptionist had a PhD IIRC) was the highest I’ve ever seen. I loved it and suspect/wonder if it was the 1990s fintech version of BellLabs. Can confirm there was a well known, published policy on going into David’s office and we got a half page memo from David detailing the importance and exactly how to white space D. E. Shaw & Co. The company ran with excellence as the goal in everything. Even with that, there was a bit of riches to ashes to riches trajectory. I loved my time there, still work with several talented colleagues I met there, and think highly of David Shaw and what he’s created.
- tasuki 7y ago
  I'm slightly surprised at the necessity of detailing the importance of exact white spacing of the company name. I would expect the talented employees to know perfectly how to spell the name of their detail-oriented employer.
  - sokoloff 7y ago
    Another view is that this is one way (among many) in which detail orientation is reinforced and transmitted as an essential part of the culture.
  - droithomme 7y ago
    I related to his memo mention! Almost certainly some employees were writing some of these on occasion in their sigs in emails to clients: D.E. Shaw & Co. D.E.Shaw&Co. DE Shaw & Co D. E. Shaw. It's a branding consistency issue. The space and what it conveys (attention to detail) is incredibly important in retaining the trust of some clients who are likewise particular. Some years ago I sent out a memo about the use of an apostrophe in a company name that was perhaps received similarly. Some think it doesn't matter. It matters to some. That's who it is done for.
    - tasuki 7y ago
      Oh I can relate too. I was just surprised the super-elite employees would make such basic mistakes.

sokoloff 7y ago

I worked in a Cambridge MA based DESCo company 1997-2000 and I have to say the caliber of talent across the company (all roles/levels, our receptionist had a PhD IIRC) was the highest I’ve ever seen. I loved it and suspect/wonder if it was the 1990s fintech version of BellLabs. Can confirm there was a well known, published policy on going into David’s office and we got a half page memo from David detailing the importance and exactly how to white space D. E. Shaw & Co. The company ran with excellence as the goal in everything. Even with that, there was a bit of riches to ashes to riches trajectory. I loved my time there, still work with several talented colleagues I met there, and think highly of David Shaw and what he’s created.

tasuki 7y ago
I'm slightly surprised at the necessity of detailing the importance of exact white spacing of the company name. I would expect the talented employees to know perfectly how to spell the name of their detail-oriented employer.
- sokoloff 7y ago
  Another view is that this is one way (among many) in which detail orientation is reinforced and transmitted as an essential part of the culture.
- droithomme 7y ago
  I related to his memo mention! Almost certainly some employees were writing some of these on occasion in their sigs in emails to clients: D.E. Shaw & Co. D.E.Shaw&Co. DE Shaw & Co D. E. Shaw. It's a branding consistency issue. The space and what it conveys (attention to detail) is incredibly important in retaining the trust of some clients who are likewise particular. Some years ago I sent out a memo about the use of an apostrophe in a company name that was perhaps received similarly. Some think it doesn't matter. It matters to some. That's who it is done for.
  - tasuki 7y ago
    Oh I can relate too. I was just surprised the super-elite employees would make such basic mistakes.