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

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

2016/9/5
logo of podcast Soft Skills Engineering

Soft Skills Engineering

Shownotes Transcript

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)