Rework

In this episode, REWORK host Kimberly Rhodes, talks with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, about the importance of stepping out of the day-to-day operations as a founder. Giving employees room to call the shots can spark new ideas and get things done faster. It also inspires people to think beyond just following orders.Key Takeaways:00:34 - The result of holding your grip too tight in your organization 02:36 - Find the middle ground between projects you should be directly involved in and those that can be managed by others08:38 - Giving employees the freedom to make decisions can lead to increased productivity and better ideas10:20 - Stepping in when it's necessary to realign urgency or quality12:54 - Not all opinions weigh the same15:28 - Trying to be involved in every task or decision reduces the organization's effectiveness22:48 - Intent prompts people to think independently instead of just following a set of instructions, as described in the book Turn the Ship A

Elaine Richards, 37signals' Chief Operating Officer, shakes things up by flipping the script on host, Kimberly Rhodes. They discuss the behind-the-scenes work of producing the REWORK podcast and selecting topics that resonate with the audience. They even dive into Kimberly's background in podcasting and how the podcast has changed over time. Key Takeaways:01:41 - It all started for Kimberly with an event industry podcast05:19 - The process of creating and reviewing the final product10:41 - Expanding episodes from audio-only to adding video12:00 - Creating the video set 14:01 - Broadening podcast content beyond the REWORK essays19:15 - Not all episode ideas make it to air20:58 - Evaluating the podcast stats22:22 - The most popular REWORK Podcast themes and episodesPodcasting Tools we use:Podcast Recording – SquadCastPodcast Hosting – BuzzsproutTranscripts and Captions – RevSocial Clips – Opus ClipEpisode Mentions:David Heinemeier Hansson’s HEY World blogJason Fried’s HEY World blogThis Week In Weddin

In this episode of Rework, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, continue their discussion on ambition, focusing on generating ideas and the process of deciding which projects to pursue. They talk about the importance of experimentation, and how they decide which products to maintain or discontinue.Key Takeaways:00:38 - Experimenting and seeing what works in the market03:07 - The more you build, the more ideas you generate09:00 - Determining when a product is commercially viable13:18 - The downfalls of overanalyzing a product before it’s built17:31 - Balancing ambition with realistic timelinesLinks and Resources:https://killedbygoogle.com/Books by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

In this episode of Rework, host Kimberly Rhodes alongside 37signals co-founders, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, talk about the company's renewed sense of ambition and excitement for upcoming projects. They highlight the importance of keeping things fresh, while emphasizing the balance between ambition and practicality.Key Takeaways:00:41 - The source of the company’s ambition explained02:18 - Sticking to fundamentals and simplicity can still have a major impact06:09 - A hefty price tag on software doesn’t mean it’s good11:29 - How 37signals structures teams for new product development18:17 - Uncertainty can serve as adventure the exact path to success is not known22:32 - A change in priorities is often necessary to fuel ambition24:59 - The motivation is to make products betterLinks and Resources:Books by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

In this episode, host Kimberly Rhodes chats with 37signals' cofounders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson about the company's Summer Fridays policy, which grants employees a four-day workweek from May to September. While the perk encourages work-life balance and a feeling of seasonality, there are drawbacks to consider, like reduced productivity.Key Takeaways:00:46 - 37signals' Summer Friday policy and why it was initially introduced03:09 - The trade-offs the company makes with summer hours10:12 - The challenge with summer hours in the pursuit of more ambitious goals13:09 - How the company balances coverage for always-on teams, like customer support16:17 - The effect on team projects that require collaborationLinks and Resources:Samsung shifts to emergency mode with 6-day work week for executivesThe Hawthorne EffectBooks by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37sign

In the podcast, REWORK host Kimberly Rhodes talks with 37signals co-founders, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, about their journey spinning off products. They stress the value of keeping contracts simple and how once the handover is done, it's best to take a hands-off approach and let the new team run things. They share their experiences with boards and underline the need for trust and flexibility. Key Takeaways:00:43 - The steps they took to transition "Know Your Company" into its own independent entity.04:49 - Contracts don't offer as much protection as people believe.10:58 - The differences in spinning off a startup vs. a long-established company.14:53 - Letting capable partners take the reins and run the show independently.18:51 - The challenge in finding the right partner for a spin-off business.20:12 - In any transaction, things may not turn out as expected, but it may be worth taking calculated risks.23:19 - Contracts don't necessarily prevent disputes and can sometime

"Consensus is cozy, but broad agreement is not our aim. The right decision is. Which is why we take the time to think, debate, persuade, listen and reconsider and then, someone, decides. If you disagree, that’s fine, but once the decision is made, it’s time to commit and support it completely."Tune in as Kimberly leads a chat with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, about the concept of Disagree and Commit. Once a decision is made, everyone should be in 100% — no looking back.Key Takeaways:01:01 - Breaking down how Disagree and Commit operates02:17 - Identifying the most suitable person to make the final decision based on the circumstance07:40 - Embracing the "manager of one" concept, empowering individuals to decide independently with reasonable supervision09:33 - Acknowledging that delegating decisions doesn't compromise the emphasis on quality14:04 - Always keeping the door open to revisit and tweak things15:44 - Granting capable individuals the free

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the co-founders of 37signals, dive into their book REWORK and discuss the essay “Strangers at a Cocktail Party” with Rework host, Kimberly Rhodes. From their experience, hiring too many people at once can throw off the balance and continuity of a company's culture. They talk about the importance of gradual assimilation and how culture is implicit, not always written down. They share insights on the value of fresh perspectives and the excitement of facing challenges head-on.Key Takeaways:00:30 - Gradually integrating new hires is important for upholding an organization's established norms and values.02:30 - Company culture is nurtured through the daily interactions and collective experiences shared within an organization.05:34 - New hires inject new perspectives and innovative ideas into the mix.07:14 - Embracing crises and novel challenges is part of the excitement of running a business.12:19 - Reflecting on the hiring patterns at 37signals.14:23 - While cha

This episode of REWORK delves into an essay from the book "It Doesn't Have To Be Crazy At Work," co-authored by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, advocating for the use of asynchronous communication for work projects. During the discussion, they explore the downside of chat and suggest it be reserved for informal discussions and social interactions.Key Takeaways:00:36 - Different communication methods in the workplace – chat vs. asynchronous 02:22 - The benefits of centralized communication for project management and how chat can hinder productivity09:20 - Managing multiple conversations for a single project11:28 - How project management tools reduce the need for frequent meetings, check-ins, and follow-ups20:05 - Data retention practices for both formal and informal communicationLinks and Resources:Once. com – https://once.com/Campfire – https://once.com/campfireBooks by 37signals – https://37signals.com/booksSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY – https://www.hey.com/The

In this episode of REWORK, host Kimberly Rhodes sits down with the co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, to provide an update on their latest product — Campfire, under the Once umbrella — just about one month after its initial launch. Once introduces a new software paradigm where users pay just once and own it forever, departing from the conventional subscription model. The discussion delves into their pricing strategy, their emphasis on long-term profitability over immediate gains, and offers insights into what lies ahead for Once.Key Takeaways:00:32 - Initial Reflections: Once, 30 Days In 02:03 - Setting Benchmarks: Unveiling Novel Concepts for Long-Term Success 09:58 - Embracing the Journey: Finding Joy in the Process 13:39 - Looking Forward: The Future Trajectory of Once 15:53 - Taking Risks: Navigating the Gambles of Product Launches 23:24 - Pricing Puzzles: Deciphering the Right ValueLinks and Resources:Once. com and CampfireBooks by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial

37signals is hiring! However, the traditional resume and formal education credentials don’t rank as high as you might think in their hiring process.In this episode of The Rework Podcast, host Kimberly Rhodes chats with co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson about reviewing potential job candidates. You’ll hear them discuss why a personalized cover letter can tell a lot more about a potential hire than chronological work history, and why AI isn’t always a dependable author for those details.Key Takeaways:00:45 - Resumes are basically piles of lies02:27 - Cover letters should explain why you want the job05:07 - Test driving final candidates11:05 - Jason and David’s involvement in the hiring process18:59 - Finding employees that are the right cultural fitRework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business

David Heinemeier Hansson recently revealed that he's making the switch from Apple to Android and trading in his Mac for a PC. In this week's episode, cofounders of 37signals Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson discuss the shift in direction, the events that led to the change of platform, and what the company was missing by being focused on the Apple ecosystem. Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode. Links and Resources:From the Apple Newsroom: The App Store, Spotify, and Europe's Thriving Digital Music MarketBooks by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEY The REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X 

Kimberly is switching things up this week and taking a more casual approach with the co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, asking them a series of rapid fire questions. Jason, for example, reveals the book that granted them permission to forge their unique path, while David shares the profound advice from Jeff Bezos about investing in things that don't change. The two of them also open up about their business journey, the meaning behind their work, and even hint toward upcoming projects. Get ready for a candid and insightful peek into the minds of Jason and David.Check out the full video episode on YouTubeKey Takeaways: [0:27] - How Ricardo Semler's Maverick empowered Jason[0:53] - David also credits Blue Ocean Strategy[1:25] - Best piece of advice?[4:39] - Productive habits?[6:20] - Most meaningful part of David’s and Jason’s jobs?[9:32] - Discussing inspirations like nature and architecture[11:02] - First principles, tech exploration, and aesthetics inspire David.[13:

Kimberly sits down with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson to discuss a chapter from REWORK titled “Press Releases Are Spam,” explaining why traditional press releases don't work well for their product launches. The conversation touches on the shift from formal press releases to direct-to-consumer approaches in today’s media scene. They touch upon the importance of hearing from authentic voices with skin in the game rather than relying on formulaic press releases. The founders also share insights on their personal involvement in marketing and the ups and downs of being engaged in the social media attention game.Check out the full video episode on YouTubeKey Takeaways: [0:40] - Press releases haven’t worked for 37signals[6:59] - Awkward CEO making direct-to-consumer work sets a significant trend[9:05] - Press releases signal desperation; personal connections more effective[14:17] - Authenticity trumps marketing.[20:24] - Don't delegate your voice; maintain direct communication[25:52] - Balancin

Join host Kimberly in this episode for a candid chat with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. Diving into a recent social media controversy, they discuss the decision-making process and lessons learned. The conversation covers the challenges of public communication, navigating social media, and the importance of thinking before reacting. Gain valuable insights into managing public image, handling controversies, and balancing authenticity with professionalism. The co-founders share personal experiences, encouraging a more thoughtful approach to online interactions and providing behind-the-scenes insights into successful business communication practices.Check out the full video episode on YouTubeKey Takeaways: [0:25] - Discussing recent social media controversy[5:47] - Importance of debating ideas rather than attacking individuals[7:47] - The complexity of media representation[9:22] - Patience and perspective in online discourse[15:21] - Occasional regrets are part of pushing boundaries.[19:44] - The comp

This week, join your host Kimberly Rhodes along with the co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, as they celebrate Basecamp's 20th and 37signals' upcoming 25th anniversaries. The excitement extends to the success of their book REWORK, which recently surpassed a million copies sold worldwide.They delve especially into the chapter titled "The Myth of the Overnight Sensation," exploring the book's journey, impact, and the challenges faced during its creation. From unexpected compromises with publishers to the book's timeless nature, Jason and David share insights on treating a book as a product and how it has aged well, continuing to resonate with readers around the globe.Jason and David also reflect on the writing process and the book's unique qualities, including its concise nature and impactful content. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of the past, present, and potential future of 37signals’ writing about work and business.Check out the full

Chances are, you've heard Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson stress the vital role of trusting your instincts in business.This week, host Kimberly Rhodes takes a deeper dive into the heart of human decision-making with the co-founders of 37signals—exploring how the interplay of intuition and accumulated experiences becomes your compass for navigating the complex landscape of business decisions.Join Jason and David as they unravel the intricate dance between data-driven decisions and the art of making judgment calls, guiding listeners through trusting your gut and breaking free from external pressures when making product and pricing decisions.Listen in to discover how the power of experimentation and the 'try it and see' approach often unveil valuable insights, with reality as the ultimate judge.Check out the full video episode on YouTubeKey Takeaways: [00:28] - The limitations of data-driven decisions [03:00] - The magic of intuition and the black-box nature of gut decisions[04:53] - The

Product launches can be a delicate dance between anticipation and anxiety.Today on "Rework", Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down with host Kimberly Rhodes to explore the intricacies of knowing when a product is ready for launch. Listen in to learn the art of patience with the "Give It Five Minutes" principle and the necessity of building a "bucket of arrogance" to weather feedback storms during challenging launch phases. Don’t miss out on Jason and David's unparalleled insights as they delve into nuances involved in bringing a new product to the market.Check out the full video episode on YouTubeKey Takeaways: Launching with impact—assessing quality, avoiding embarrassment, and infusing novelty are key elements in launching a memorable product to the market.By embracing a "swarm" approach, the team addresses and rectifies issues promptly during the initial launch ensuring a smoother user experience."You can't design on people's requests.

In this special YouTube live episode, co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, join host Kimberly Rhodes to field live questions from listeners.Listen in as Jason and David answer questions about topics such as the recent launch of the HEY Calendar. They also share updates on the release of Campfire, the first ONCE product, with behind-the-scenes details about this simplified and affordable chat tool. Plus, tune in for insights into the evolution of the Shape Up methodology, learning from customer feedback post-launch, and the Founders' thoughts on the exciting but uncertain future of AI in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.Check out the LIVE video episode on YouTubeKey Takeaways: Highlights from the HEY Calendar launch. Updates on the ONCE line of products from 37signals and the economics and philosophy behind fixed-price software products.Campfire's role as a simplified, affordable, and privacy-focused group chat tool.The importance of engaging with customer feed

In this episode of Rework, the spotlight is on listener questions. Listen in as Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share their insights on a range of topics — from 37signals' approach to user testing and the impact of Stoic philosophy on their business principles, to discussions on profits and expenses, and the crucial decision of when to hire. Tune in to hear their unique perspectives on these key aspects of building a successful company.Check out the full video episode on YouTubeKey Takeaways: Uncover why 37signals rejects traditional user testing and prioritizes being their own first customer. They unveil their unique perspective on product development and share the one question you need to test every product against.Explore how Stoicism functions as a mental operating system, fostering calm and efficient thinking in response to business challenges. David delves into Stoic principles and recommends some essential Stoic readings for entrepreneurs (See links below).Jason and David discuss their ap