REWORK

In this episode (originally aired February 1, 2022), 37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down with Shaun Hildner to discuss the consequences of building a business solely with the intention to sell. They share their perspective on building a business for the long haul versus for an exit.Key Takeaways:00:46 – Building a company to sell can encourage mediocre output07:14 – Taking shortcuts is a reflection of one's character09:41 – Why it's better to have a commitment strategy than an exit strategy11:21 – Not all businesses should become unicorns14:58 – What the founders would do if they had to begin againLinks and Resources:Books by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

Bigger isn't always better. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, 37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share the drawbacks of chasing high-profile, enterprise deals. The two founders explain why they prefer their business model that's built around serving smaller clients. Key Takeaways:00:35 – The biggest clients can quickly become the biggest burden and the biggest risk07:10 – The hidden costs of “whale-sized” clients12:35 – Things to consider when defining your ideal client17:02 – Knowing what types of clients you'll enjoy working with19:53 – How venture capital funding can make a difference when choosing your ideal clientsLinks and Resources:"Don't have a biggest customer" from Jason Fried's HEY World"A Static Business is a Healthy Business" from Jason Fried's HEY WorldBooks by 37signals30-day free trial of HEYSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

As the year winds down, 37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson join host Kimberly Rhodes to talk about the company's end-of-year routine. They explain their process for the last few weeks of the year that aren't part of a formal six-week cycle, and they share what they gain from this transitional period of "wandering."Key Takeaways:00:43 – The informal end of year process05:24 – Self-directed work, bug fixes, and tying up loose ends08:22 – Using the downtime for forward thinking and planning12:43 – Viewing the year end as a shift to the next chapter rather than a fresh startLinks and Resources:30-day free trial of HEYBooks by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

Before introducing a new product feature, it’s essential to first understand the problem you're trying to fix. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, 37signals’ co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share a recent experience designing a new feature in HEY. During the process, the team pivoted and changed direction, resulting in a better design.Key Takeaways:00:44 – The original product design plan and what changed along the way02:31 – The difference between specifying the outcome and diagnosing the actual problem06:27 – The design meeting where the team got to the root of the problem08:32 – Why executive involvement early in the process adds value13:39 – Pivoting on an original idea while maintaining the original appetite16:04 – Creativity often comes when you've hit a roadblock20:07 – The power of Power Through New Links and Resources:30-day free trial of HEYBooks by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X