May 19, 2009

Hiring and organization

Futuristic Play: How do you do concrete interviews for non-technical people? "So what would a series of concrete tests look like for nontechnical roles? I would argue that you can rigorously test a couple key areas such as:

1. Can you create the deliverables that are part of the day-to-day role?
2. Are you familiar with previous relevant work in your area (whether you follow it or not)?
3. Can you demonstrate that you can do the thing you’re being hired to do?"

Steve Blank: The Sharp End of the Stick. "I'm now convinced "all our departments are equal" is a "going out of business" strategy. Not understanding who are the "lead departments" makes companies feel like ponderous, bureaucratic and frustrating places to work. The best people in the "sharp end" organizations simply vote with their feet and leave.

I loved to compete against these companies. Their own internal culture would tie them up in knots, and agile startups could run rings around them.

Don’t let this happen to your company. Embrace and then communicate the idea of a lead department(s). Build a company culture where everyone supports the "sharp end of the stick.""

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