One of the first companies I worked at (a startup) had a strict protocol on how to ask someone for help. The chain was basically: a) ping them over IM. Do not

One of the first companies I worked at (a startup) had a strict protocol on how to ask someone for help. The chain was basically: a) ping them over IM. Do not grenade them with your problem. Ask first if they have time to help you: No? Try fixing your problem on your own for another 20-30 minutes. Yes? Be short and to the point. If its a coding issue, list all of the solutions you've tried first and what the issue is. Allow the person you are asking to set the parameters of the help: a) how fast can this be done? Can I do this over IM? b) does this need a webex or meeting to figure out? c) how much time will the meeting require to solve problem? Estimate and go from there. d) do any of the previous infringe on your current work? Have a person set up a meeting for later in the day and then leave them alone. It was literally taboo to go to someone's desk and ask them for help. It was hammered into people that work comes first and any distraction costs time and money. Even when you go over and tap someone on the shoulder? They have to mentally disengage with their work to speak to you. That's precious time they are losing. Same thing after they've completed even a 5 min conversation, they have to get back to whatever they were doing which also takes time. There was some study that said just a handful of these interruptions can cause a company millions. When you're at a startup, every dollar wasted costs the bottom line.