Last night the SPIN committee hosted the 95th SPIN meeting, and our third annual SPINJam. We had a panel discussion on the topic of “Software Product Development at Corporations and Startups.” Some interesting points were raised by the panel members and the audience. Below are a few that stood out for me.
Process is always the first thing to be blamed when something goes wrong. In startups, process tends to light; in corporates it tends to be rigid and heavy.
Perhaps a more important question than startup or corporate is supportoing a system or developing a product. This informs the culture and style of a company.
These days, there are a large number of developers for whom the job is a profession, not a passion.
Small team size is important. Teams need to have ownership of their work, and autonomy. Amazon works with teams smaller than 10 people.
People join startups not for the money, but for the values and ideals.
Look for people who want to be great at what they do: craftsmen, and reward them well for it.
Relationships are more important than money.
Lots of startups are spin-offs from or branches of a corporate.
“Where’s the one with the grey hair?” It helps to have someone experienced on a startup team; they have the business savvy.