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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
informative
fast-paced
While I didn't agree with many of the choices Basecamp has made, I certainly respect what they've built and the tough tradeoffs they've had to make to create their ideal company. That said, this book is written for founders or those with org-level influence and does not present tactics for individuals to move towards a calmer work environment.
Finally got around to reading this book. I don't know if it's because I've read so much from the Basecamp guys on blogs and Twitter, but I felt like this was old material. I was surprised it was only published in 2018.
I really admire how Jason and DHH run their company, especially their focus on breaking things down and iterating over long planning cycles. They acknowledge in this book that they're not disrupting the world.
A small cynical part of me does think of basecamp as "the company that just keeps releasing updated products to solve the same problem". As though I expect them to stretch more. But I guess that's the true point of this book; to share the benefits of this type of work.
Still only giving it 3 bc it read like blog posts I'd already read before!
I really admire how Jason and DHH run their company, especially their focus on breaking things down and iterating over long planning cycles. They acknowledge in this book that they're not disrupting the world.
A small cynical part of me does think of basecamp as "the company that just keeps releasing updated products to solve the same problem". As though I expect them to stretch more. But I guess that's the true point of this book; to share the benefits of this type of work.
Still only giving it 3 bc it read like blog posts I'd already read before!
2.5 - good message but I think it needed more detail. It all felt very self-congratulatory, which was a bit off putting.
This book is a collection of very short, digestible essays on various topics surrounding running a company, working at a company, and communication methods at work.
I feel like no one out there can read this book without thinking “Wow, I really want to work at Basecamp.” They’re doing things that SO FEW other companies are doing, and they’re things that make so much sense. Taking everyone out of the constant stream of communication and giving them time for deep work. Instead of motivating your employees to work harder, give them benefits that encourage them to stay healthy and happy (which results in better work). Hire well, and don’t grow so fast that you can’t sustain it.
Almost every chapter had that bittersweet feel of “why can’t my current company do things like this?” And the whole thing is this really beautiful treasure trove of inspiration for anyone looking to leverage change at their workplaces. Some of the concepts FOR SURE can’t be implemented without the full approval and buy-in of all the higher ups. Which is where the bittersweet-ness comes in, if you aren’t one of those higher ups yourself. But for someone like me, it really helps me figure out what should be on my wish list, the next time I’m looking for a job. And it helps me understand my current position better, to know what I have the power to influence the company in the direction of and to know what’s never going to change.
I hope that business owners read this book, and feel inspired to follow Basecamp’s example. They’re refreshingly transparent about things on their blog, and if something isn’t working for them they change it. So I’m eager to keep reading books by them, to keep watching their blog, and keep learning about what companies who actually care about their employees’ happiness are capable of achieving in the future. If you’re an employee and not a business owner, this is still well worth your time and attention. Capitalism has led to some poor habits, and situations that take advantage of the average worker, and this book feels like the start of turning the tide. Back to when your job could just be your job, where you put in your time and effort and then didn’t have to worry about things outside of work, because you were paid enough and your company didn’t ask for more than you could give while still staying healthy. I hope everyone reads this book.
This and other reviews by me can be found at www.annaimber.com
I feel like no one out there can read this book without thinking “Wow, I really want to work at Basecamp.” They’re doing things that SO FEW other companies are doing, and they’re things that make so much sense. Taking everyone out of the constant stream of communication and giving them time for deep work. Instead of motivating your employees to work harder, give them benefits that encourage them to stay healthy and happy (which results in better work). Hire well, and don’t grow so fast that you can’t sustain it.
Almost every chapter had that bittersweet feel of “why can’t my current company do things like this?” And the whole thing is this really beautiful treasure trove of inspiration for anyone looking to leverage change at their workplaces. Some of the concepts FOR SURE can’t be implemented without the full approval and buy-in of all the higher ups. Which is where the bittersweet-ness comes in, if you aren’t one of those higher ups yourself. But for someone like me, it really helps me figure out what should be on my wish list, the next time I’m looking for a job. And it helps me understand my current position better, to know what I have the power to influence the company in the direction of and to know what’s never going to change.
I hope that business owners read this book, and feel inspired to follow Basecamp’s example. They’re refreshingly transparent about things on their blog, and if something isn’t working for them they change it. So I’m eager to keep reading books by them, to keep watching their blog, and keep learning about what companies who actually care about their employees’ happiness are capable of achieving in the future. If you’re an employee and not a business owner, this is still well worth your time and attention. Capitalism has led to some poor habits, and situations that take advantage of the average worker, and this book feels like the start of turning the tide. Back to when your job could just be your job, where you put in your time and effort and then didn’t have to worry about things outside of work, because you were paid enough and your company didn’t ask for more than you could give while still staying healthy. I hope everyone reads this book.
This and other reviews by me can be found at www.annaimber.com
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced