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One of my previous employers had the attitude "if you have time for side projects, there is always more to be done in our codebase." It didn't pan out well for

One of my previous employers had the attitude "if you have time for side projects, there is always more to be done in our codebase." It didn't pan out well for them in the long run. Everyone had side projects, they just never talked about them for fear of the lame statement or the employer's IP paranoia. Now at a place where developers openly talk about their projects, collaborate on them, and even talk with the CTO about them. Whether they have commercial intent or not. A few of my own little "it'd be nice if we had a tool for X" have actually been picked up, built upon, and used company wide. Companies need to realize that devs hacking on side ideas or new technologies can end up helping them in the long run. Makes for happier devs, brings new ideas to the table, and creates a tighter culture.

kenjackson 16y ago
Companies need to realize that devs hacking on side ideas or new technologies can end up helping them in the long run. Makes for happier devs, brings new ideas to the table, and creates a tighter culture. This is one of those things that I think is only true at small companies. Places like Google have tried and largely failed at this. I wouldn't be surprised if Page completely ends 20% time since pretty much everyone I know personally at Google says that it became a way to do spin your wheels, but provide no value. At a small company, you're still figuring out how to make money. It's just as likely that your next revenue stream will come from out of the blue. With that said, as an employee, I'd never give my employer any of my side project's IP. They can license it or buy it, but it's mine.
- jonursenbach 16y ago
  If he's looking to bring Google back to its startup roots, ending 20% time probably shouldn't be on his list.
  - khafra 16y ago
    I'd focus more on very carefully designed incentives for building cool stuff during 20% time--bonuses and standard recognition/awards certainly wouldn't work; I'm not sure what would.

kenjackson 16y ago

Companies need to realize that devs hacking on side ideas or new technologies can end up helping them in the long run. Makes for happier devs, brings new ideas to the table, and creates a tighter culture. This is one of those things that I think is only true at small companies. Places like Google have tried and largely failed at this. I wouldn't be surprised if Page completely ends 20% time since pretty much everyone I know personally at Google says that it became a way to do spin your wheels, but provide no value. At a small company, you're still figuring out how to make money. It's just as likely that your next revenue stream will come from out of the blue. With that said, as an employee, I'd never give my employer any of my side project's IP. They can license it or buy it, but it's mine.

jonursenbach 16y ago
If he's looking to bring Google back to its startup roots, ending 20% time probably shouldn't be on his list.
- khafra 16y ago
  I'd focus more on very carefully designed incentives for building cool stuff during 20% time--bonuses and standard recognition/awards certainly wouldn't work; I'm not sure what would.