Archive for 2015

Two things make me a great engineer. I listen and I say “I don’t know.”

Today I wrestled a metaphorical pig at the office. The pig enjoyed it, I got worn out, and the problem is still not solved.

Hate is bounded. Once the person dies, you no longer hate them. Love is unbounded. Alive or dead, you love them. Be loved.

How not to hire me: Constantly remind me you can outsource it cheaper in Eastern Europe. Negotiate that invoices will be sent monthly. Negotiate that invoices will be 90 days net. Negotiate that late paid invoices will not accrue interest. Negotiate fees below market rate. Negotiate that no project payments will be made up-front. Attempt…

Asynchronous communication with me is generally “free.” Synchronous communication costs “money.” Synchronous communication in-person costs “lots of money.”

I am amazed by any entrepreneur that states “I hate recruiting, I will just retain a few head-hunters to find the people I want once I get funding for my idea.” Naivety distilled.

Connecting people brings in business. Connecting with people brings in distraction. Figure out which one you’re doing. And don’t ask me what happens when you connect distractions.

Everyone has an opinion. It is one thing to have an opinion. It is quite another to act on it. People who live their opinion are the ones worth watching because they’re the ones changing the world.

“What is it you do?” I build stuff, it makes money, everybody goes home happy.

The lowest priced good or service is usually just a front for figuring out how to make a profit elsewhere.

The most expensive business asset you can waste is your customer’s attention span.

It is funny to think about how many self-motivated, pro-active, go-getter consultants there are on LinkedIn who are unemployed and desperately looking for any job that’ll hire them or have been out-of-work for an extended period of time. The self-description of the person is incongruous with their actions.

“Happy Birthday random citizen of LinkedIn who happens to be an entrepreneur!” should generally not be construed as an opportunity to ask if I want to drop everything I am doing and be your cofounder. Really! Do you proposition random women at the bar for immediate marriage just because they also wished you Happy Birthday?

“Hey! Can we Skype/do a phone call/grab lunch/get coffee? I have something interesting I want to discuss with you.” Simple answer: no. Tell me what it is you want to discuss, then I’ll determine if it is worth switching from an asynchronous mode of communication to a synchronous one. It’s the secret in how to…