REWORK

Customer feedback on basecamp.com

Question Your Customers Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

Ever filled out a customer survey? For this conversation, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, share their approach to gathering customer feedback. They discuss the timing and frequency of feedback requests, the power of open-ended questions, and how to transform customer language into effective marketing.

Key Takeaways:

00:37 - A single open-ended question can reveal a wealth of valuable insights
05:51 - Listen for the language customers use in their feedback for possible marketing opportunities
08:42 - Form questions and answer fields that allow customers to use their own words to express what they think
14:18 - Focus on organic feedback rather than quantitative metrics

Links and Resources:

The 37signals Guide to Internal Communication
Books by 37signals
Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com
HEY World | HEY
The REWORK podcast
The Rework Podcast on YouTube
The 37signals Dev Blog
37signals on YouTube
@37signals on X

V1 is for Us Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The REWORK Podcast, 37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share their approach to product design, explaining why the first version of a product (V1) is always built for the company's internal use case. They discuss responding to user feedback and the importance of actively using their own products to uncover issues. They also dive into the challenges they've faced when building software for someone else's needs vs. their own.

Key Takeaways:

00:35 - The problem with imagined use cases
07:21 - A trimmed down V1 gives you permission to focus on what's most important
10:28 - The story of Highrise
17:27 - “Dogfooding” to help identify and address product issues
20:48 - Avoid the temptation to react too quickly to early customer feedback
23:11 - Design breakthroughs come to life by creating innovative solutions

Links and Resources:

Version 1 is for you – Jason Fried's HEY World post
Books by 37signals
Sign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.com\
HEY World | HEY
The REWORK podcast
The Rework Podcast on YouTube
The 37signals Dev Blog
37signals on YouTube
@37signals on X

Principles of Communication Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share insights from their write-up, The 37signals Guide to Internal Communication. They discuss effective communication strategies within the company and with the public, offering practical advice to consider when conveying messages.

Key Takeaways:

00:41 - The backstory of how the guide was created
02:39 - The write up serves as both an internal reminder and a practical manual for how communication is handled at 37signals
06:36 - Why publishing doesn’t require perfection
10:52 - Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings
18:26 - How unclear communication can come across negatively
23:03 - Why you shouldn't rush tough conversations

Links and Resources:

Say No by Default Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

In their book REWORK, 37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson write about the power of saying no. This week on the podcast, they revisit that idea, diving into the hidden costs of saying yes and the burden of commitments that often come with it. They also discuss how saying no preserves simplicity and helps maintain focus.
Key Takeaways:

00:45 – Saying yes often comes with regret
03:00 – Yes feels good until it’s time to fulfill the commitment
07:58 – Adding features to products often results in layered complications
14:53 – Saying no is more difficult when you have the capacity to say yes
19:51 – The courage to say no creates space for simplicity
29:30 – The best way to say to no to customer requests

Links and Resources:

Preparing for a Company Meet-up Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

Twice a year, 37signals brings the entire team together for a company meet-up. In this week’s episode of The REWORK Podcast, co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson reflect on how these meet-ups began and how they've evolved over time. They also discuss how they prepare for the meet-ups and the importance of the venue selection.
Key Takeaways:

00:50 - Jason shares the early history of 37signals' meet-ups
02:18 - Why in-person conferences build deeper connections than online meetings
06:57 - How the location and architecture of meeting spaces can elevate the experience
15:30 - Weighing the financial cost of a meet-up against the value it delivers
18:48 - Memories from the company's Atlanta gathering
22:17 - An inside look at the meet-up agenda

Links and Resources:

“Achieving Optionality” HEY World post by Jason Fried

Achieving Optionality Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson explore the many benefits of having full control over their business. They talk about the importance of taking measured profits and running an efficient operation, which allows freedom to create without constraints. This approach gives them room for trial and error and plenty of flexibility for expanded opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

00:41 - The launch of Writebook confirmed 37signals' achievement of optionality
03:19 - Ideas and decisions don’t have to be perfect when a company is run efficiently
09:26 - 37signals history with buyout offers
11:22 - When it was tempting to consider venture capital offers
18:03 - Finding fulfillment in doing what you love rather than creating solely for profit

Links and Resources: