A podcast by 37signals about the better way to work and run your business.
In this episode, host Kimberly Rhodes chats with 37signals' cofounders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson about the company's Summer Fridays policy, which grants employees a four-day workweek from May to September. While the perk encourages work-life balance and a feeling of seasonality, there are drawbacks to consider, like reduced productivity.
Key Takeaways:
00:46 - 37signals' Summer Friday policy and why it was initially introduced
03:09 - The trade-offs the company makes with summer hours
10:12 - The challenge with summer hours in the pursuit of more ambitious goals
13:09 - How the company balances coverage for always-on teams, like customer support
16:17 - The effect on team projects that require collaboration
Links and Resources:
Samsung shifts to emergency mode with 6-day work week for executives
In the podcast, REWORK host Kimberly Rhodes talks with 37signals co-founders, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, about their journey spinning off products. They stress the value of keeping contracts simple and how once the handover is done, it's best to take a hands-off approach and let the new team run things. They share their experiences with boards and underline the need for trust and flexibility.
Key Takeaways:
00:43 - The steps they took to transition "Know Your Company" into its own independent entity.
04:49 - Contracts don't offer as much protection as people believe.
10:58 - The differences in spinning off a startup vs. a long-established company.
14:53 - Letting capable partners take the reins and run the show independently.
18:51 - The challenge in finding the right partner for a spin-off business.
20:12 - In any transaction, things may not turn out as expected, but it may be worth taking calculated risks.
23:19 - Contracts don't necessarily prevent disputes and can sometimes escalate them unnecessarily.
Links and Resources:
Canopy, formerly known as Know Your Company
‘Know Your Company’ Deal Structure
"Consensus is cozy, but broad agreement is not our aim. The right decision is. Which is why we take the time to think, debate, persuade, listen and reconsider and then, someone, decides. If you disagree, that’s fine, but once the decision is made, it’s time to commit and support it completely."
Tune in as Kimberly leads a chat with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, about the concept of Disagree and Commit. Once a decision is made, everyone should be in 100% — no looking back.
Key Takeaways:
01:01 - Breaking down how Disagree and Commit operates
02:17 - Identifying the most suitable person to make the final decision based on the circumstance
07:40 - Embracing the "manager of one" concept, empowering individuals to decide independently with reasonable supervision
09:33 - Acknowledging that delegating decisions doesn't compromise the emphasis on quality
14:04 - Always keeping the door open to revisit and tweak things
15:44 - Granting capable individuals the freedom to make mistakes, alongside providing guidance for improvement
20:35 - Viewing hiring not just as an evaluation of current abilities but also considering potential growth opportunities.
Links and Resources:
Jeff Bezos 2016 Letter to Amazon Shareholders
There’s No Speed Limit by Derek Sivers – https://sive.rs/kimo
Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the co-founders of 37signals, dive into their book REWORK and discuss the essay “Strangers at a Cocktail Party” with Rework host, Kimberly Rhodes. From their experience, hiring too many people at once can throw off the balance and continuity of a company's culture. They talk about the importance of gradual assimilation and how culture is implicit, not always written down. They share insights on the value of fresh perspectives and the excitement of facing challenges head-on.
Key Takeaways:
00:30 - Gradually integrating new hires is important for upholding an organization's established norms and values.
02:30 - Company culture is nurtured through the daily interactions and collective experiences shared within an organization.
05:34 - New hires inject new perspectives and innovative ideas into the mix.
07:14 - Embracing crises and novel challenges is part of the excitement of running a business.
12:19 - Reflecting on the hiring patterns at 37signals.
14:23 - While change is essential for adjusting the company's culture and strategy, it's vital to implement it carefully and minimize disruptions.
Links and Resources:
The Half-Life of Facts by Samuel Arbesman
All About Atlas - Boston Dynamics Robot
This episode of REWORK delves into an essay from the book "It Doesn't Have To Be Crazy At Work," co-authored by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, advocating for the use of asynchronous communication for work projects. During the discussion, they explore the downside of chat and suggest it be reserved for informal discussions and social interactions.
Key Takeaways:
00:36 - Different communication methods in the workplace – chat vs. asynchronous
02:22 - The benefits of centralized communication for project management and how chat can hinder productivity
09:20 - Managing multiple conversations for a single project
11:28 - How project management tools reduce the need for frequent meetings, check-ins, and follow-ups
20:05 - Data retention practices for both formal and informal communication
Links and Resources:
Once. com – https://once.com/
Campfire – https://once.com/campfire
Books by 37signals – https://37signals.com/books
Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com
HEY – https://www.hey.com/
The REWORK podcast – https://37signals.com/podcast/
Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.
If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode.
In this episode of REWORK, host Kimberly Rhodes sits down with the co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, to provide an update on their latest product — Campfire, under the Once umbrella — just about one month after its initial launch. Once introduces a new software paradigm where users pay just once and own it forever, departing from the conventional subscription model. The discussion delves into their pricing strategy, their emphasis on long-term profitability over immediate gains, and offers insights into what lies ahead for Once.
Key Takeaways:
00:32 - Initial Reflections: Once, 30 Days In
02:03 - Setting Benchmarks: Unveiling Novel Concepts for Long-Term Success
09:58 - Embracing the Journey: Finding Joy in the Process
13:39 - Looking Forward: The Future Trajectory of Once
15:53 - Taking Risks: Navigating the Gambles of Product Launches
23:24 - Pricing Puzzles: Deciphering the Right Value
Links and Resources:
Once. com and Campfire
Books by 37signals
Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com
HEY.com
The REWORK podcast
The Rework Podcast on YouTube
The 37signals Dev Blog
37signals on YouTube
@37signals on X
37signals is hiring! However, the traditional resume and formal education credentials don’t rank as high as you might think in their hiring process.
In this episode of The Rework Podcast, host Kimberly Rhodes chats with co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson about reviewing potential job candidates. You’ll hear them discuss why a personalized cover letter can tell a lot more about a potential hire than chronological work history, and why AI isn’t always a dependable author for those details.
Key Takeaways:
00:45 - Resumes are basically piles of lies
02:27 - Cover letters should explain why you want the job
05:07 - Test driving final candidates
11:05 - Jason and David’s involvement in the hiring process
18:59 - Finding employees that are the right cultural fit
Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.
If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email [email protected], and we might answer it on a future episode.
Links and Resources:
David Heinemeier Hansson recently revealed that he's making the switch from Apple to Android and trading in his Mac for a PC. In this week's episode, cofounders of 37signals Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson discuss the shift in direction, the events that led to the change of platform, and what the company was missing by being focused on the Apple ecosystem.
Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.
If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode.
Links and Resources:
From the Apple Newsroom: The App Store, Spotify, and Europe's Thriving Digital Music Market
Kimberly is switching things up this week and taking a more casual approach with the co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, asking them a series of rapid fire questions. Jason, for example, reveals the book that granted them permission to forge their unique path, while David shares the profound advice from Jeff Bezos about investing in things that don't change. The two of them also open up about their business journey, the meaning behind their work, and even hint toward upcoming projects. Get ready for a candid and insightful peek into the minds of Jason and David.
Check out the full video episode on YouTube
Key Takeaways:
[0:27] - How Ricardo Semler's Maverick empowered Jason
[0:53] - David also credits Blue Ocean Strategy
[1:25] - Best piece of advice?
[4:39] - Productive habits?
[6:20] - Most meaningful part of David’s and Jason’s jobs?
[9:32] - Discussing inspirations like nature and architecture
[11:02] - First principles, tech exploration, and aesthetics inspire David.
[13:16] - David is embarking on a grand adventure fueled by unresolved anger.
Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.
If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode.
Links and Resources:
Kimberly sits down with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson to discuss a chapter from REWORK titled “Press Releases Are Spam,” explaining why traditional press releases don't work well for their product launches. The conversation touches on the shift from formal press releases to direct-to-consumer approaches in today’s media scene. They touch upon the importance of hearing from authentic voices with skin in the game rather than relying on formulaic press releases. The founders also share insights on their personal involvement in marketing and the ups and downs of being engaged in the social media attention game.
Check out the full video episode on YouTube
Key Takeaways:
[0:40] - Press releases haven’t worked for 37signals
[6:59] - Awkward CEO making direct-to-consumer work sets a significant trend
[9:05] - Press releases signal desperation; personal connections more effective
[14:17] - Authenticity trumps marketing.
[20:24] - Don't delegate your voice; maintain direct communication
[25:52] - Balancing the trade-offs of social media
[27:15] - Discussing navigating the intensity of attention culture
Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.
If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode.
Links and Resources:
Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com
Join host Kimberly in this episode for a candid chat with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. Diving into a recent social media controversy, they discuss the decision-making process and lessons learned. The conversation covers the challenges of public communication, navigating social media, and the importance of thinking before reacting. Gain valuable insights into managing public image, handling controversies, and balancing authenticity with professionalism. The co-founders share personal experiences, encouraging a more thoughtful approach to online interactions and providing behind-the-scenes insights into successful business communication practices.
Check out the full video episode on YouTube
Key Takeaways:
[0:25] - Discussing recent social media controversy
[5:47] - Importance of debating ideas rather than attacking individuals
[7:47] - The complexity of media representation
[9:22] - Patience and perspective in online discourse
[15:21] - Occasional regrets are part of pushing boundaries.
[19:44] - The complexity of tradeoffs
Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.
If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode.
Links and Resources:
Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com
Your feedback is valuable to us. Should you encounter any bugs, glitches, lack of functionality or other problems, please email us on [email protected] or join Moon.FM Telegram Group where you can talk directly to the dev team who are happy to answer any queries.