My old partner James Goebel was visiting a large and successful company with a solid IT department. The company was hosting an IT conference and they had invited James to give a few lectures. I, of course, also attended because I happened to be in town and I always enjoy listening to James speak.
After one of his lectures he was invited to briefly meet a corporate executive. The executive asked the question “Do you know of any other large companies in our industry that build software the way you do at Menlo?”
As soon as James told me the question this movie scene flashed into my mind.
[In case you are YouTube deprived, the clip is of Admiral Ackbar saying, “It’s a Trap!” from the original and only real Star Wars films.]
James was nice, and tried to really answer the question. It didn’t go well. In my opinion, it can never go well because it is the wrong question. As James was recounting the story to me I thought of an alternative answer I think he should have given.
Question:
“Do you know of any other large companies in our industry that build software the way you do at Menlo?”
Answer:
“No. I don’t. But please understand, I am not here to sell you anything. I am not here to try to convince you to change a thing. I am simply here telling you what I have done successfully for over a decade building software teams.
There is absolutely no reason I am aware of that would prevent a large company from building and managing teams the way I do. But, I’ve never met a large company who has come even close to creating development teams as productive and effective as my teams.
I can deploy a team of 15 that will be able to out produce teams of 150 at most companies, including this company. I know this, because I have done it. I’ve done it in literal apples to apples comparisons. But can I show you another company as large as yours that has done it? No.
However, you seem like really nice and smart people and I am happy to tell you everything I know. I don’t believe there is any legitimate reason you couldn’t do it.”
—————–
This answer I like… and frankly, it is an answer most executives can respect.
So, are you up to the challenge? Do you want to outproduce teams of 150 with teams of 15? I don’t believe there is any legitimate reason you can’t do it. Have I ever seen a large company do it extremely well? No. But I bet you could if your CEO really wanted you to.
-Tom
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