Podcasts Technology Soft Skills Engineering Episode 25: Understanding the Business and Managing Without Being a Developer

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

Published: Sept. 5, 2016, 7 p.m.

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In episode 25, Jamison and Dave answer these question:

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How do I understand the business side better?

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  • Analysis of tabs vs spaces
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  • How does your business make money?
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  • Just ask your CEO/manager
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  • Kill the myth of the pointy-haired boss
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  • Smaller companies expose you to this more
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  • Just ask questions:\\n
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    • What was our revenue last month?
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    • How much did we spend last month?
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    • Who are our biggest customers?
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    • How does the sales process work?
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  • The Dave Smith Method\\xae for learning business jargon.
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  • Be kind and have empathy when you learn.
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Can I be a good technical manager without a technical background?

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  • Technical leadership vs management.
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  • Management means empathy and understanding. Can you get that without \\u201ccoming up through the ranks\\u201d?
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  • What are the skills of a good manager?
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  • Does being a developer give you those skills?
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  • Dave is a Night Elf Code Mage.
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  • How do you handle technical concerns as a non-technical person?
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  • Don\\u2019t fake technical knowledge.
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  • Leading a team when you don\\u2019t directly see the effect of your actions.
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  • Managing Nerds by Rands.
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  • Jamison\\u2019s former boss\\u2019s technical expertise
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