Episode 25: Understanding the Business and Managing Without Being a Developer

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In episode 25, Jamison and Dave answer these question:

How do I understand the business side better?

  • Analysis of tabs vs spaces
  • How does your business make money?
  • Just ask your CEO/manager
  • Kill the myth of the pointy-haired boss
  • Smaller companies expose you to this more
  • Just ask questions:
    • What was our revenue last month?
    • How much did we spend last month?
    • Who are our biggest customers?
    • How does the sales process work?
  • The Dave Smith Method® for learning business jargon.
  • Be kind and have empathy when you learn.

Can I be a good technical manager without a technical background?

  • Technical leadership vs management.
  • Management means empathy and understanding. Can you get that without “coming up through the ranks”?
  • What are the skills of a good manager?
  • Does being a developer give you those skills?
  • Dave is a Night Elf Code Mage.
  • How do you handle technical concerns as a non-technical person?
  • Don’t fake technical knowledge.
  • Leading a team when you don’t directly see the effect of your actions.
  • Managing Nerds by Rands.
  • Jamison’s former boss’s technical expertise
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