- How do software engineers perceive business types? Business types are people. I evaluate on character plus effectiveness. When forming an opinion, I general

- How do software engineers perceive business types? Business types are people. I evaluate on character plus effectiveness. When forming an opinion, I generally look at their past success, their history of screwing people over (or not), and their smarmyness (or not), as well as their ability to communicate. - How do they come to respect or disrespect someone in this role? See above. - How can I best approach a software engineer with an idea? With a referral and/or some demonstrated way that you've done a ton of homework, and you understand what you're getting into. Also, please demonstrate respect and partnership. "We need a coder for this", while not overtly disrespectful, implies that you see your technical partners job as one-dimensional. - What can a business type do to build trust with a programmer? Good referrals, pay invoices ahead of schedule, don't change scope often or arbitrarily. - Horror stories or success stories about these two worlds coming together in startup glory or catastrophe Rather not share right now. - What motivates programmers? Success? Personal fulfillment? Money? Some combination. I think most of us need adequate levels of all of the above, with one factor we can point to as being excellent. - What do programmers think motivates business types? Money, ego.