Why companies should support their employee's side projects
Being a developer is 99% brain work!
We spend most of our time sited on a chair solving bugs, implementing new features, and scrolling through Twitter...
We must find ways to explain to our CEOs why we need to add a new node to our K8s cluster and to our POs why we should save extra estimation points for unit tests.
All of this requires a level of creativity and problem solving that many other professions do not require...
What do you do after work?
After a tiring day of work, we can not wait to arrive home, log in to our personal laptop and work on our side project. We can not get enough!! How many domains have you bought this year?? Have you started a youtube channel yet?
For us knowing how to code is like having a super power! With only just a laptop we get to transform into reality whatever we can imagine. However, there is a downside to this...
We get bored very quickly!!
I dare to say that the two most spoken words that come out from the mouth of a developer are: "coffee" and "bored"!
It's really hard to keep a coder in a company for more than 5 years because it's difficult to keep them motivated.
There will be a time when a company's product does not need exciting new features or experimental tech. It just needs better logging...
Developers need a chance to explore their entrepreneurial side
Companies should cultivate a culture of entrepreneurism among their developers. Here are some ideas:
Teach them about the business
Developers are very creative but lack the business and marketing background. By teaching your devs about the business side of the company and encouraging them to understand more about product building and marketing you are building highly valuable assets for your business
Listen to their ideas
Nothing kills the motivation more than being ignored. I have seen many of my colleagues suggesting brilliant ideas to their bosses that end up being ignored and the result was that my peers stopped trying to contribute and end up leaving...
Support their side projects
Many companies fear that by supporting their employee's side projects they will eventually lose their focus and eventually leave. This is wrong for two main reasons:
1- Is extremely hard to make a developer's salary from your side projects... XD
2- Being bored is actually the main reason why many developers end up working less and eventually leaving their jobs...
Virtual co-working space for entrepreneurs
If you are an employer that wants to support their employee's entrepreneurial spirit or a developer that wants to build their side projects with other indie makers have a look into the WBE Space.
It's an online coworking space where people from all backgrounds work together in their projects and support each other with feedback and tips.
Funny enough most of our members have a full time job and are happy with it :D
Hey Tiago, I 100% agree!
I've actually been working on a project focused on this problem. It's not fully launched yet, but coming very soon.
From my research so far, there are a number of companies that already "get it" and are specific about supporting side project work. But they are definitely the exception to the rule.
Would love to learn more about the project
Wow, I must admit this article resonates with me. I have to say, the only places where I can work with cutting edge tools and try/ implement new ideas, etc.. are my side projects. For one, its b/c at my work you are pretty much locked to whatever the company's direction and policies are, and having agile flow you gotta produce something constantly so experimentation goes out of the window. The other thing about being bored, so very many times I have felt like a hamster in a wheel.. only there for the paycheck.
Anyway, the article is on-spot!
I am glad you liked it Linda! :) I know the feeling... I quit my job 7 months ago to focus on my side projects but I have to say that I also miss the steady paycheck and having some peers to talk too XD Have you considered joining our coworking space?
Many of our members are in the same situation as you and its a great way to meet like-minded people while working in your side projects
I will check out the community. Is there a free plan option?
I only have one single plan of 4 euros a month. This helps filter out the less engaged members :) But if people are not happy with it after a couple of weeks I am happy to return the money
I hear ya. At Cogency we have found out that unless you are an already established brand with a decent reputation, no one wants to give their CC for a service that they are not sure would be beneficial. So, we started offering a free plan and it made a HUGE difference in signups. My 2 cents.
yup, it makes total sense. I have a few questions but if you don't mind I will DM you on Twitter so that we don't get too much off topic here XD
Great write-up, Tiago! Thanks for sharing. 🙏🏻
thanks. glad you liked it! :)
My side-projects have directly contributed to my work by providing me opportunities to explore and try new technologies and frameworks. Which libraries work, which don’t, what’s a waste of time? By using my side project as a testing ground, I can learn new things and bring back the best ideas to work. This particular reason appeals especially to employers.
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Supporting does not necessarily mean to own a part of it. You are right, is important for developers to read the fine lines of the contract XD