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Is it Time for a Tech-Lead?

I've started my private invite-only launch for https://www.spreadtech.online/ I'm getting users on the MVP beta and leaving feedback.

Most of it is technical feedback (obviously).

I have already spent close to $1000 to build the MVP.

When should I get a tech lead in? And if I do, should they be coding or should they be managing freelancer coders?

Bear in mind they will be taking profit share and/or equity!!

Should tech-leads code or manage freelance coders?
  1. CODE
  2. MANAGE
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    Both. At least initially. Whether it's helping to build something or hands on technical admin, CI/CD etc. Then I think it will help you to have someone who knows the game from the ground up. In time their role will be mostly leadership and mentoring, but initially great to have that person who can get the ball rolling even just for prototypes or tech design and the like.

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    This comment was deleted 4 years ago.

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      As a developer who has recruited developers, I can assure you that not anyone can write code, or at least not good code. Developers suffer from other traits (as everyone else does) which makes them undesirable in ones team. In my experience, finding good developers is hard. Thus, if you find a good developer, stick with them.

      A good Tech Lead / CTO will have a commercial awareness that many developers lack, and the ability to view problems at both a macro-level and a micro-level - both of which are necessary at different times. In other words, contribute to the business.

      I agree wholeheartedly that execution is key, and if your development task is complex then a good CTO or similar will help. If the development task is simple, then anyone can do it (but also, probably, anyone can copy it).

      And if the development task is complex, and your developer is poor, then it will likely be some or all of unfinished, buggy, slow and brittle.

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        Thank you for both of your differing opinions. I will use them both as wisely as I can.

        I pose another question to you both - should tech leads be paid or take equity?

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          Louis,

          I've always taken a combination of both. I believe that it is ideal that key people have skin in the game, and that in general you need at least one key technical person on the team. But I am a technical person, so possibly biased.

          Many of my roles have been funded start-ups, so the equity has been an additional benefit to the salary. But others have included working below market rates in exchange for more extensive equity.

          In my view, some payment has been essential due to the different timing of effort - once an idea is validated, you need quite extensive technical effort before the marketing can move forward 100%, and this can lead to the problem of marketing giving up after expending relatively small amounts of effort.

          Hope this helps,

          Paul

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            Wow. Thank you so much for this. Very much appreciated

            Can I just take you in, you seem ideal? ;)

            I believe I already have a validated product, and I have done pre-marketing that has brought in 325 beta users ready to be emailed.

            But I get that marketing can't move forward until 100% technical side is complete...

            That helped a lot, thank you

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              Thanks for the kind words.

              Unfortunately, I don't have the time available at the moment that I think you need.

              Of course, if successful then neither the technical nor the marketing is ever 100% complete.

              Glad it helped.

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      "If you are getting income then maybe you don't need an investor. " --- This is gold!!!! good tip!

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