This is Signal vs. Noise, a weblog by 37signals about design, business, experience, simplicity, the web, culture, and more. Established 1999 in Chicago. Follow us on Twitter for more information on our products.

Very nice. I love the crack analogy – makes total sense!

Great interview Jason. You points about staying away from each other to get the most done really hit home to me. We’re in the process of changing our work environment right now purely to minimize interruptions and help our team stay in the zone.

“Today’s kids are tomorrow’s customers”.

great anecdote about why you decided to go with jeff bezos. having someone in your corner for support seems so simple, but goes a long way.

the interview reminds me of brazilian ricardo semler of semco. he’s managed to build a very successful company that does little planning, has minimal structure and gives employees the responsibility and opportunity to make decisions.

this interview, so great!

All those customers and you can’t afford an iron JF? :)

Only kidding…cool interview. I like how you could barely keep a straight face when mentioning “the first hit’s free” mentality. hahah.

i work for a small company too. we have total of 20 people but only six on the dev team. Sadly, we are not lose structure. we have CEO , COO, Makreting, Project Manager…etc.

i agree with interruption is the biggest enemy of productive. sometime it is hard to work on something when your co -worker skype you something about what she/he did yesterday or whatever. i think it will be much better if we are allow to work remotely.

anyway, great interview.

sometime it is hard to work on something when your co -worker skype you something about what she/he did yesterday or whatever.

Working remotely is not going to stop that!

Great Interview. I love the bit about planning. Reading Getting Real and Art of the Start I have a completely new view on plans.

Great! Check out Paul Graham’s “Holding a program in one’s head”.

JB

Great interview. Clear, simple, passionate.

This radical and alternative approach of the software business really reminds me of the emergence of the alternative rock scene in the early 80s.

Strong opinions, independence from major companies (read here investors) with complete control on the artistic aspect (read here strategy), keeping the energy, KISS and DIY approach of the punk scene (read web 1.0 start-ups) without the self destructive (read burning cash flow) drawbacks.

Just a comment though : regardless on how high I rate 37Signals, I still doubt you could get on the hardware or mobile market without getting bigger.

I fully understand you guys dont have a plan. That’s what we love with your company.

What I was saying is that this very 37Signals strategy is a full match when it comes to deliver software through the internet.

My understanding is that your company has probably been one of the best in the IT industry to fully leverage the immense power of the so called web 2.0. If I may seize the chance, I talk about it there.

But on the other hand, I am not sure that this strategy would be such a fit in the hardware or mobile industry.

Dont get me wrong : I’m not saying you wouldn’t succeed.

I don’t think it’s realistic to imagine that one can work without interruptions. More importantly, people need to learn how to speak to one another diplomatically and with respect.

And working remotely just increases the delay when something really needs to be discussed. Organization and structure still play a vital role in any business.

Too bad business doesn’t seem to have the class that it once did… drug dealers? Isn’t that the point of being in business… so that you can aspire to something higher than carnal desires and base mentality of snorting and scratching through your day?

I don’t think it’s realistic to imagine that one can work without interruptions. More importantly, people need to learn how to speak to one another diplomatically and with respect.

And working remotely just increases the delay when something really needs to be discussed. Organization and structure still play a vital role in any business.

Too bad business doesn’t seem to have the class that it once did… drug dealers? Isn’t that the point of being in business… so that you can aspire to something higher than carnal desires and base mentality of snorting and scratching through your day?

That interview hit home for me also.

@Sarah: Yeah I have a response…What?

:D (only the cool kids will get that)