Our Best Blogs of June includes stories on Agile software development, networking and dropping dead-end projects. That’s a lot of great stuff to read while sipping on Mai Tais by the pool!
Is Agile right for your company?
Due to its flexibility and ability to response to change quickly, Agile software development is fantastic for producing high-quality products at scale for ever-finicky consumers. However, Agile isn’t necessarily the best system for B2B products. The main problem is that product development cycles and customer relationships are completely different for each type of customer.
Agile teams are conditioned to plan in one- to three- month increments. They value speed and versatility, steering clear of everything that feels like commitment. While that may be a good approach for consumers, it is not for businesses, which crave continuity and stability.
Networking your way to success
Venture capitalist and business guru Chris Fralic freely admitted that he wouldn’t be where he is today without building a strong network of relationships. Speaking with First Round, Fralic laid out seven keys to making those valuable connections that he says his career is built upon.
One of the biggest keys is to convey genuine warmth and interest in other people. A good way to truly get take interest in another person, Fralic said, is to consider what they realize that you do not and try to learn those things from them during a typical interaction. By trying to learn something from someone else, you’re showing that you value their knowledge, which makes them feel important.
Fralic also suggested approaching others with humility. Being in touch with your own weaknesses and imperfections can go quite a distance toward making yourself relatable, which is important in certain situations. For instance, someone is seeking your assistance or attention might be turned off by a know-it-all attitude.
Making the effort to get in touch with or meet up with someone person also expresses humbleness, a vital quality if you’re about to turn someone down or give them disappointing news. By reaching out to someone else, you are showing them your time is no more valuable than theirs.
Dropping dead projects
Former Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale popularly referred to problematic concepts as ‘snakes’ and cautioned against picking up Dead Snakes in a well-known speech at Harvard University. Dead Snakes might look vibrant and worthy of attention; however they can sap resources and draw attention away from more important work you and your team should be fully engaging.
There are several effective approaches to recognizing and dropping Dead Snakes. First off, your company culture should promote the idea of dropping a project or idea if it runs into a conceptual cul-de-sac. The culture should minimize the fear of failure and give employees permission to admit when their efforts are in vain. A company should also prioritize honest, effective evaluations that can spot Dead Snakes and minimize any additional wasted effort.
