Calling business owners and managers...
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Look at what the average is in your area for people with the skills you require, and then offer more. Offer regular bonuses and opportunities for pay rises, and try to have a culture that's a bit more interesting than the stuffy corporate types. If you're a smaller company, then you have to be more agile because you have to work harder and do more to keep staff because they become more like family. Take the time to get to know your people, and don't treat them as though they are just staff. Treat people well, and you will keep them.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
If you're a smaller company, then you have to be more agile because you have to work harder and do more to keep staff because they become more like family. Take the time to get to know your people, and don't treat them as though they are just staff. Treat people well, and you will keep them.
Excellent point. Right on the mark. OT: What are your thoughts on the database normalization you posted the other day?
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
If you're a smaller company, then you have to be more agile because you have to work harder and do more to keep staff because they become more like family. Take the time to get to know your people, and don't treat them as though they are just staff. Treat people well, and you will keep them.
Excellent point. Right on the mark. OT: What are your thoughts on the database normalization you posted the other day?
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
Paul Conrad wrote:
OT: What are your thoughts on the database normalization you posted the other day
Well - I'm up to second normal form. I'm actively developing 3 articles right now, and an on-off one with Mr Clifton (who's a little bit sidetracked at the moment). I'm writing one on normalisation, another in my series on going solo dealing with customer relations and one on a WCF flight simulator.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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Look at what the average is in your area for people with the skills you require, and then offer more. Offer regular bonuses and opportunities for pay rises, and try to have a culture that's a bit more interesting than the stuffy corporate types. If you're a smaller company, then you have to be more agile because you have to work harder and do more to keep staff because they become more like family. Take the time to get to know your people, and don't treat them as though they are just staff. Treat people well, and you will keep them.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Thank you very much Pete
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming) -
Paul Conrad wrote:
OT: What are your thoughts on the database normalization you posted the other day
Well - I'm up to second normal form. I'm actively developing 3 articles right now, and an on-off one with Mr Clifton (who's a little bit sidetracked at the moment). I'm writing one on normalisation, another in my series on going solo dealing with customer relations and one on a WCF flight simulator.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
another in my series on going solo dealing with customer relations
That one already has my five vote :laugh: Looking forward to seeing it :)
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
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Paul Conrad wrote:
OT: What are your thoughts on the database normalization you posted the other day
Well - I'm up to second normal form. I'm actively developing 3 articles right now, and an on-off one with Mr Clifton (who's a little bit sidetracked at the moment). I'm writing one on normalisation, another in my series on going solo dealing with customer relations and one on a WCF flight simulator.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
hey pete did you get my suggestion for your going solo series?
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming) -
hey pete did you get my suggestion for your going solo series?
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming)I did. I read all of the comments. Where possible, I will try to accommodate but I can't promise anything. The trouble is, this series is just gonna keep growing and growing until I finally run out of things to say and Butch from Brookly finally shuts up.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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I did. I read all of the comments. Where possible, I will try to accommodate but I can't promise anything. The trouble is, this series is just gonna keep growing and growing until I finally run out of things to say and Butch from Brookly finally shuts up.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
until I finally run out of things to say
i doubt that will be soon :)
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming) -
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
another in my series on going solo dealing with customer relations
That one already has my five vote :laugh: Looking forward to seeing it :)
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
I said customer relations, not relationships with customers - no matter how hot they are. ;P
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
until I finally run out of things to say
i doubt that will be soon :)
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming)Harvey Saayman wrote:
i doubt that will be soon
OK - I'll rephrase that. Relevant things. ;)
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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I said customer relations, not relationships with customers - no matter how hot they are. ;P
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
I said customer relations
I saw that :)
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
not relationships with customers - no matter how hot they are
Yeah, that's potentially very dangerous territory.
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
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Paul Conrad wrote:
OT: What are your thoughts on the database normalization you posted the other day
Well - I'm up to second normal form. I'm actively developing 3 articles right now, and an on-off one with Mr Clifton (who's a little bit sidetracked at the moment). I'm writing one on normalisation, another in my series on going solo dealing with customer relations and one on a WCF flight simulator.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Do you have an idea when you are going to be done with yours? I was going to put mine together and would like to have a reference to yours. Could be something to update at a later date, I suppose.
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
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Do you have an idea when you are going to be done with yours? I was going to put mine together and would like to have a reference to yours. Could be something to update at a later date, I suppose.
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
Paul - if you want to run with this as an article, please feel free. I'll just point people to yours instead.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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Paul - if you want to run with this as an article, please feel free. I'll just point people to yours instead.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
We could just point people at both :) I am thinking of something along the lines of programmatic data protection, as well. Though it would be geared to the more intermediate or advanced database architect.
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
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We could just point people at both :) I am thinking of something along the lines of programmatic data protection, as well. Though it would be geared to the more intermediate or advanced database architect.
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
Fair enough. Mine was dealing with the basics of normalization, including why you need to do it - along with some practical examples showing how and when. And yup, we deal a bit with terminology such as transitive and multivalued dependency.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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Fair enough. Mine was dealing with the basics of normalization, including why you need to do it - along with some practical examples showing how and when. And yup, we deal a bit with terminology such as transitive and multivalued dependency.
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
Cool. I was on the same brainwave :laugh:
"The clue train passed his station without stopping." - John Simmons / outlaw programmer "Real programmers just throw a bunch of 1s and 0s at the computer to see what sticks" - Pete O'Hanlon "Not only do you continue to babble nonsense, you can't even correctly remember the nonsense you babbled just minutes ago." - Rob Graham
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... id like to pick your brains for my business class research assignment. Id like to include real world opinions on the subject as opposed to just what i can find on the net.
Firstly please specify what your position in your company is and in what industry you work in.
When will you employ someone as a permanent member of staff?
When will you employ someone under a contract for a period of months?
When will you employ someone on a daily or weekly basis?What qualities would you look for in the people who applied, and what would you expect to pay for their services?
Please bare in mind that i might quote what you have to say so if you reply ill assume you have no problem with that. Thanx
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming)I am owner/CEO of a small business dealing with contract programming and R&D related to 3D graphics, imaging, or scientific calculation and visualization -- I could add game programming in there too, but I have no contracts in that area yetcurr. When would I hire someone permanently? rarely, all of my current work is contract. I would need full time renewable contracts, then and only then with a guaranteed contract income from year to year would I consider hiring someone permanently. Then the problem, as others have mentioned, is finding someone good and trustworthy. When will I hire someone under contract? When I have the work. I get work, they get work, pretty easy math there. When would I employ someone on a daily or weekly basis? Hard to say, my business deals in months, and adding someone for a week is more likely to set me back than help. I would say there is one exception and that is for advice/consultation with another company or expert in a field. I could easily see hiring someone for a week as an expert consultant in a specific area. I deal in a highly technical area, so I need people of highly technical skills, that is a given. But I would reinforce the issue with trust. I need people who want to work, who desire the R&D enjoyment of solving problems no one else has yet, and can be trusted. That is a rough combination.
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Hey Chris Thank you for taking the time to reply, i appreciate it
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming)No worries. Good luck with your schoolwork.
Sovereign ingredient for a happy marriage: Pay cash or do without. Interest charges not only eat up a household budget; awareness of debt eats up domestic felicity. --Lazarus Long
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... id like to pick your brains for my business class research assignment. Id like to include real world opinions on the subject as opposed to just what i can find on the net.
Firstly please specify what your position in your company is and in what industry you work in.
When will you employ someone as a permanent member of staff?
When will you employ someone under a contract for a period of months?
When will you employ someone on a daily or weekly basis?What qualities would you look for in the people who applied, and what would you expect to pay for their services?
Please bare in mind that i might quote what you have to say so if you reply ill assume you have no problem with that. Thanx
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming)So, do we get a copy of your report/assignment? I'd like to see what you wrote. position: CEO, HR, IT, etc. - small consulting company..... When will you employ someone as a permanent member of staff? --- never - here's why. I want someone who has taken that leap to being entrepreneurial - with all that comes with it. It's just too much of an advantage to work with someone like this. Contract... --- hmm, 12 months? Just need the work. Daily/weekly --- see above. Qualities: ---- commitment, commitment and UNRELENTING honesty. Crap happens, people make mistakes, I'm okay with that (to quote a VP I worked for one time). But, take ownership. As others have said, it is very, very hard to find people that suck it up and just keep going to get the job done.
Charlie Gilley Will program for food... Hurtling toward a government of the stupid, by the stupid, for the stupid we go. —Michelle Malkin
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I am owner/CEO of a small business dealing with contract programming and R&D related to 3D graphics, imaging, or scientific calculation and visualization -- I could add game programming in there too, but I have no contracts in that area yetcurr. When would I hire someone permanently? rarely, all of my current work is contract. I would need full time renewable contracts, then and only then with a guaranteed contract income from year to year would I consider hiring someone permanently. Then the problem, as others have mentioned, is finding someone good and trustworthy. When will I hire someone under contract? When I have the work. I get work, they get work, pretty easy math there. When would I employ someone on a daily or weekly basis? Hard to say, my business deals in months, and adding someone for a week is more likely to set me back than help. I would say there is one exception and that is for advice/consultation with another company or expert in a field. I could easily see hiring someone for a week as an expert consultant in a specific area. I deal in a highly technical area, so I need people of highly technical skills, that is a given. But I would reinforce the issue with trust. I need people who want to work, who desire the R&D enjoyment of solving problems no one else has yet, and can be trusted. That is a rough combination.
And who are good at dodging various projectiles, both guided and unguided... ;P ;)
WE ARE DYSLEXIC OF BORG. Refutance is systile. Your a$$ will be laminated.
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... id like to pick your brains for my business class research assignment. Id like to include real world opinions on the subject as opposed to just what i can find on the net.
Firstly please specify what your position in your company is and in what industry you work in.
When will you employ someone as a permanent member of staff?
When will you employ someone under a contract for a period of months?
When will you employ someone on a daily or weekly basis?What qualities would you look for in the people who applied, and what would you expect to pay for their services?
Please bare in mind that i might quote what you have to say so if you reply ill assume you have no problem with that. Thanx
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming)Harvey Saayman wrote:
Firstly please specify what your position in your company is and in what industry you work in.
Founder/Managing Director. We operate mostly in the developer tools market, but also provide bespoke software/IT support for local companies and charities.
Harvey Saayman wrote:
When will you employ someone as a permanent member of staff?
Already do - there are 2 members of staff.
Harvey Saayman wrote:
When will you employ someone under a contract for a period of months?
We are unlikely to "employ someone under a contract" in the way you are thinking, but we do subcontract specific areas (e.g. graphic/web design and some marketing) already.
Harvey Saayman wrote:
When will you employ someone on a daily or weekly basis?
Unlikely. See the previous answer.
Harvey Saayman wrote:
What qualities would you look for in the people who applied, and what would you expect to pay for their services?
If we did take anyone else on, we would look for a forward thinking individual who valued quality and thought well "outside the box". We don't value conformity, but do look for innovation, pragmatism and a committment to producing a quality product which is needed by the customer. A liking for loud obnoxious rock music is a bonus, of course. I never did get on with headphones in the workplace. ;)
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