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Things are going so well we’re doing a hiring freeze

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Re: Things are going so well we’re doing a hiring freeze

#6
post #4

sure, but how do the employees feel about it? what happens when support work balloons but you have the same amount of staff? this is just an excuse to extract more profits coated in technofounderbabble.

The article explicitly mentions it isn't likely applicable to support roles in a footnote.

Re: Things are going so well we’re doing a hiring freeze

#7
I really like their approach but I want to comment on the Mexican Fisherman story.

Neither the fisherman nor the banker have it right. You see, the banker may be overly ambitious, but the fisherman is not taking precaution against future's uncertainty. You can be sure DHH has enough money and he doesn't need the headache of running a big business. The fisherman, on the other hand, may want to consider the day he cannot fish and not expect the seas to provide until his very last day.

Re: Things are going so well we’re doing a hiring freeze

#9
post #3

Even if you don't read the article, you should read this story[0] that it links to. Which explains the mindset behind the decision. It's only like 200 words. [0]: http://renewablewealth.com/the-parable-of-the-mexican-fisher...

I absolutely love that story, and it's a big influencer for my daily decision process.

Re: Things are going so well we’re doing a hiring freeze

#10
post #4

sure, but how do the employees feel about it? what happens when support work balloons but you have the same amount of staff? this is just an excuse to extract more profits coated in technofounderbabble.

If support volume grows, there are three options: 1.) hire more staff 2.) keep staffing levels the same and force workers to take on more for the same pay or 3.) look at why support volume is growing and a) fix some avoidable reasons that require support ( small fixes in UX can go a long way ) , b) automatically solve some of the support issues ( improved documentation ), and c) have the support staff build themselves better tools so they can more efficiently handle the support volume rise.

If you are an owner, #3 will not only improve your products, but also likely to make your entire company much more valuable over time. If the staff are also owners or there is a system in place such that the staff benefits when the owners benefit, they will likely be on board for #3 as well. If #3 is not sufficient enough to provide support, then hiring should be done.

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