hedgehoglab

Software is overrated! You might think that is a bit rich coming from someone who runs a software company. The problem is that to most people, software is synonymous with the code underlying a system. Sure, writing good code is a tough task but let me assure you that writing code itself isn't all that difficult (software companies create value in more than just code, but that topic is for another day).

Ideas are overrated! I cannot begin to describe the number of times I saw a new product or service (software or otherwise) and thought, "Blimey! They stole my idea."

So if both code and ideas are overrated and hardly ever original (note I say hardly, some ideas and code are original), then why is it that technology companies classify these as "intellectual property"? Why is there so much bickering over who owns what when a clever programmer in his basement can create the next big thing and almost any software system can be cloned without much effort?

When will managers and leaders in technology focused companies realise that their real intellectual property are their people?

The answer lies in the this gem from Peopleware,

“The major problems of our work are not so much technological as sociological in nature.”

Simply put, software companies like to blame technology, law, environment, government and everything else for their problems rather than deal with the real problems of people (employees), customers and management.

What better way to make your failure to run effective projects and deliver on time appear more valid, than blaming "intellectual property" issues and crying foul against competitors?

Here is an idea! Why not invest in a great team, listen to your people, bring in better managers, treat your customers with honesty and transparency, and focus on running effective projects. Then see how much the rest matters!

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