Episode 25: Understanding the Business and Managing Without Being a Developer

<p>In episode 25, Jamison and Dave answer these question:</p> <h2 id="how-do-i-understand-the-business-side-better">How do I understand the business side better?</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://medium.com/@hoffa/400-000-github-repositories-1-billion-files-14-terabytes-of-code-spaces-or-tabs-7cfe0b5dd7fd#.ahv57m5mn">Analysis of tabs vs spaces</a></li> <li>How does your business make money?</li> <li>Just ask your CEO/manager</li> <li>Kill the myth of the pointy-haired boss</li> <li>Smaller companies expose you to this more</li> <li>Just ask questions: <ul> <li>What was our revenue last month?</li> <li>How much did we spend last month?</li> <li>Who are our biggest customers?</li> <li>How does the sales process work?</li> </ul> </li> <li>The Dave Smith Method® for learning business jargon.</li> <li>Be kind and have empathy when you learn.</li> </ul> <h2 id="can-i-be-a-good-technical-manager-without-a-technical-background">Can I be a good technical manager without a technical background?</h2> <ul> <li>Technical leadership vs management.</li> <li>Management means empathy and understanding. Can you get that without “coming up through the ranks”?</li> <li>What are the skills of a good manager?</li> <li>Does being a developer give you those skills?</li> <li>Dave is a Night Elf Code Mage.</li> <li>How do you handle technical concerns as a non-technical person?</li> <li>Don’t fake technical knowledge.</li> <li>Leading a team when you don’t directly see the effect of your actions.</li> <li><a href="http://randsinrepose.com/archives/managing-nerds/">Managing Nerds</a> by Rands.</li> <li>Jamison’s former boss’s <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Object-Programming-Visual-Windows/dp/1556158998">technical expertise</a></li> </ul>