Things are going so well we’re doing a hiring freeze • Hacker News Board

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

#31

Post by Tepix » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:34 PM UTC

drelihan wrote: post #10

taw-an wrote: 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 themselve…

There is another option: Raise prices.

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

#32

Post by eitland » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:38 PM UTC

razialx wrote: post #5

Congratulations. You've figured out how to make me want to apply to your company! In the same way that I will never stop wanting to move to Norway, since they don't want me, I will now forever desire to work for Basecamp... I am so easily manipulated.

Getting into Norway doesn't seem too hard - but I'm open to be told why I'm wrong.

Here is what I found: "Broadly speaking, the award of a residence permit depends on two things: your country of citizenship and your ability to financially sustain yourself and any dependents. This generally means you need a job offer, or you must prove financial sustainability if you are coming to Norway to study or for some other reason.

It is possible for some people to move to Norway as a job seeker, but this is only allowed for a relatively short period of time. If you don’t manage to find employment during that time, you will have to leave the country, and there is a waiting period before you will be able to return." - https://www.lifeinnorway.net/norway-immigration-guide/

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

#33

Post by amarkov » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:40 PM UTC

sodapopcan wrote: post #19

It's insane how making a profit seems to considered "uncool" in the business world. Basecamp and particularly Jason Fried's writings (I realize this is particular article is by DHH) are super inspirational. I wish that building a solid, profitable business as opposed to being so focused on growth and finding more investors was more of the norm. I want to work at Basecamp even more now, haha.

I doubt that anyone on the business side considers it uncool to build a small but profitable company. It's definitely cooler than having a VC shove you along the path to an acquisition by BigCorp Ltd.

Engineers sometimes consider those companies uncool, but that's just because they usually can't pay market rate for the best engineers.

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

#34

Post by traviswingo » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:41 PM UTC

Amidst the craziness that is the startup battlefield, its always a breath of fresh air to hear from the Basecamp founders. I feel more people should take this realistic approach to starting and running companies, and stop putting their life's work on 17 red.

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

#35

Post by mattgreenrocks » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:44 PM UTC

fjsolwmv wrote: post #13

norswap wrote: post #11

While I love their philosophy, part of me can't shake the feeling they are rubbing it in our faces for marketing purposes.

It's a corporate blog. That's the entire purpose of it.

Plus, it's hosted by Medium. The entire modus operandi of tech Medium is shameless self-promotion.

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

#36

Post by dasil003 » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:46 PM UTC

norswap wrote: post #11

While I love their philosophy, part of me can't shake the feeling they are rubbing it in our faces for marketing purposes.

True but it’s a necessary counterpoint to the VC-fueled greed that you see reflected in the majority of articles from tech founders. Cancerous growth is the default aspiration of young people coming into tech.

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

#37

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:48 PM UTC

hammock wrote: post #24

amflare wrote: 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...

"you should read this story" Posts unclickable link Edit: you fixed it, thanks

[deleted]

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

#38

Post by sodapopcan » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:52 PM UTC

amarkov wrote: post #33

sodapopcan wrote: post #19

It's insane how making a profit seems to considered "uncool" in the business world. Basecamp and particularly Jason Fried's writings (I realize this is particular article is by DHH) are super inspirational. I wish that building a solid, profitable business as opposed to being so focused on growth and finding more investors was more of the norm. I want to work at Basecamp even more now, haha.

I doubt that anyone on the business side considers it uncool to build a small but profitable company. It's definitely cooler than having a VC shove you along the path to an acquisition by BigCorp Ltd. Engineers sometimes consider those companies uncool, but that's just because they usually can't pay market rate for the best engineers.

I just mean it seems to be the path-more-taken. I'm basing it on my limited experience and my reading about running a business (which a did a bunch of but certainly never did an in depth study). A lot of companies I look at while looking for employment either want to sell or trying to grow to a mammoth size. Don't get me wrong--there is nothing wrong with that! It's just that I personally prefer to take the paycut and work for companies whose owners are slowly building a lifestyle and tightly knit team and wish I would see more of that pop up in job listings.

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

#39

Post by dev360 » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:54 PM UTC

amflare wrote: 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...

Interesting. I heard the exact same story but it was about 'a wealthy American businessman I know' and an Italian restauranteur. Modern fables.

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

#40

Post by sodapopcan » Thu, Feb 01, 2018, 4:54 PM UTC

amarkov wrote: post #33

sodapopcan wrote: post #19

It's insane how making a profit seems to considered "uncool" in the business world. Basecamp and particularly Jason Fried's writings (I realize this is particular article is by DHH) are super inspirational. I wish that building a solid, profitable business as opposed to being so focused on growth and finding more investors was more of the norm. I want to work at Basecamp even more now, haha.

I doubt that anyone on the business side considers it uncool to build a small but profitable company. It's definitely cooler than having a VC shove you along the path to an acquisition by BigCorp Ltd. Engineers sometimes consider those companies uncool, but that's just because they usually can't pay market rate for the best engineers.

...and yes, maybe saying "uncool" is a little hyperbolic... I sorta got that impression while reading about starting a business, but that was a while ago and I can't cite my sources.