Championing the Prospective Customer With David Heinemeier Hansson, Co-owner & CTO, 37signals

Software itself is constantly being updated, but are some conventional approaches used by tech leaders also in need of an upgrade? David Heinemeier Hansson is the Co-owner & CTO of the software company 37signals, producer of the successful web services Basecamp and HEY. On this episode, David explains the forward-thinking methodologies that his company has successfully implemented, like championing prospective customers rather than current ones, enforcing a short six-week planning cycle, and placing a higher value on intuition over data.
Key Moments:
00:00 Episode Start
02:30 David describes the “six-week cycle” approach at 37signals
07:23 How did 37signals develop its short-term planning method?
13:46 The relationship between designers and programmers at 37signals
20:01 Why 37signals creates “opinionated software”
27:43 David’s reliance on intuition over data
35:08 The importance of writing and advice David received from Jeff Bezos
46:48 Lightning Round, brought to you by Salesforce
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[@frockygarcia2004]

That was a blast!

[@BirgitteRasine]

As a professional writer, I can tell you David is 100% on the dot with this. "Clear writing is clear thinking."

[@maxmediagroup9657]

When I first discovered DHH's philosophy a few years ago, it immediately aligned with my own ideals which I have held on business and technology since the mid-1990s. Cornerstones of this philosophy are bootstrapping startups, profit-driven vs. financial token-driven, disdaining complexity and seeking simplicity in technology, as well as, communication and collaboration not in real time, but rather on demand when required...and remote. Most of the technological theories, advances and solutions over the last 20 years have have been "off the Rails" adding more layers of complexities - DHH continues to keep this technological train on track by seeking ease of use for two groups of people...To wit, those who work to create those things people use on the computer/device screen to bring ease and improvement into their lives and those people that use what the first group creates...Thus, eluding to the majority of the human race.

[@PICK3R]

DHH is awesome! My personality is closer to Jason, but admire how real DHH is. Been a client of theirs since 2008 and have tried to teach brevity in my org. Great interview!

[@itvisionaries]

Thanks. This is Albert, the host, and I've also always thought there has to be a better way. The 37 signals team is proof it's possible.

[@alanpafka4137]

Love it!