3 ms·

I deal with a lot business guys at my day job (20+). In 6 years I've only known 1 that I would actually go into business with myself. I have a feeling that sin

I deal with a lot business guys at my day job (20+). In 6 years I've only known 1 that I would actually go into business with myself. I have a feeling that since there really isnt any pressure to quantify their work (at the lower levels), most of them dont measure their own performance and stay at the same mediocre level.

notauser 17y ago
That's true of a lot of people in every profession though. We all know bad programmers who last read a book in 1992. I'd be surprised if the ratio of bad:good:great was very different in any field.
pxlpshr 17y ago
This is just a perception bias in my opinion. I'll give you an example: I've dealt with a lot of programmers in the past 10 years. Only a handful would I work with again, and even fewer I would employ to work in a high-paced startup. In my last startup, an expensive over-designed technology stack was our downfall. The business guy turned the company around, secured us two licensing deals, and additional bridge funding. The point is: there are just as many egocentric, know-nothing programmers as there are douche bag business guys. It really has nothing to do with each others job description, it's just a matter of talent, ambition, persistence, etc. etc. Attracting the right talent for the team is difficult, select wisely and try not to demonize the opposite party.
- deyan 17y ago
  thank you, finally someone who says stuff that makes sense.
- apu 17y ago
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law
- keeptrying 17y ago
  True I do get your point. And its also possible that I'm in the wrong team. There are other business people outside of my team who I really respect. Another thing you have to understand is that my company makes a lot of money so it might be a different environment than others. Ie business always looks good as we always get sales because of our great business model.
- maukdaddy 17y ago
  Thank you putting this more eloquently than I have been able to. You are 100% correct.

notauser 17y ago

That's true of a lot of people in every profession though. We all know bad programmers who last read a book in 1992. I'd be surprised if the ratio of bad:good:great was very different in any field.

pxlpshr 17y ago

This is just a perception bias in my opinion. I'll give you an example: I've dealt with a lot of programmers in the past 10 years. Only a handful would I work with again, and even fewer I would employ to work in a high-paced startup. In my last startup, an expensive over-designed technology stack was our downfall. The business guy turned the company around, secured us two licensing deals, and additional bridge funding. The point is: there are just as many egocentric, know-nothing programmers as there are douche bag business guys. It really has nothing to do with each others job description, it's just a matter of talent, ambition, persistence, etc. etc. Attracting the right talent for the team is difficult, select wisely and try not to demonize the opposite party.

deyan 17y ago
thank you, finally someone who says stuff that makes sense.
apu 17y ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law
keeptrying 17y ago
True I do get your point. And its also possible that I'm in the wrong team. There are other business people outside of my team who I really respect. Another thing you have to understand is that my company makes a lot of money so it might be a different environment than others. Ie business always looks good as we always get sales because of our great business model.
maukdaddy 17y ago
Thank you putting this more eloquently than I have been able to. You are 100% correct.