| Nov. 29 2007 at 6:03 PM |
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Thank you Steve.... I have been VERY successful in all my endeavors to this point. I understand what you are saying and I will give the benefit of the doubt and agree that I may be a part of the problem. I don't think this is the case but there is always a chance. He is not lazy, he is just slow. When we first started he was very aggressive almost like a child to show me what he had done at school.... now he seems to be tired.... so I don't want this to be a programmer bashing ... that is not the case. Bottom line is I seem to be stuck - in - a - rut... lol I could use another cracker jack programmer and any advice the panel wants to give. Good or bad...
Jeff Kilgore
"Your life is designed to give you the results that you are getting"
Founder - Madnonnie.com
"It's Like A Whole 'Nother Internet"
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 6:36 PM |
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First of all, let's always remember the instant gratification mindset
of so many people these days. Secondly, let's keep in mind that almost
ALL the "overnight" successes you hear about took years and years.
You've mentioned that you look at other companies and see them growing
as if they have a magic wand, golden goose, or direct line to heaven.
The likelihood is there are only a rare few companies like that. It may
"appear" as if they're growing without much effort, but that's
appearances.
As for your issues with the programmer, you may want to consider
setting milestones and incentives. For example, you speak with this
programmer and ask for an outline of modules. Not the programming
modules, in technical jargon, but the "blocks" of code that will be
required in order to reach some basic milestone.
Then you ask about when s/he thinks they'll be delivered---each one,
not the final segment. At that point, you explain that if they reach
that deadline, they'll be paid whatever you're contracting. However, if
they reach each section ahead of time, you'll pay them X amount more
for each day ahead of schedule.
Finally, keep in mind that specialized skills are just that:
specialized. Otherwise everyone could do them, nobody would pay for
them, and you wouldn't have a problem. Digging a hole? Any idiot can
dig a hole. Program a complex Web system with ASP.net? I don't think so.
You may have some unrealistic expectations. I don't know, that's a
research question for you to examine. I do know you're likely not going
to find a partner with unlimited disposable income. :-D If you do,
could you mention my name, too? 
Craig Landes
---
Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown
International Society of Curmudgeons
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 7:34 PM |
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LOL thanks Craig. It cant hurt to ask... after all it is the season for giving.. I am sure some where out there right now a person is staring at the stars thinking to themselves.... "I wish I could help one person and make a difference in the world"... A guy can dream right...
As for your suggestions. I am probably a year past that phase. I am very much (unfortunately) aware that this is a marathon and will take everything I have and then some. This is not my first rodeo so to speak with business just this type of business. I agree with your comment regarding "dirt excavation" lol I was trying to give you an illustration... lol I might have fallen short... But thanks for your thoughts. I have done everything that you are suggesting... and then some... I am probably better off than i give myself credit for but that's just me.... Again I dont want this to be a programmer bashing.... It is what it is and I have to figure out how to make it work. However I would like to have Plan B if anyone out there has any advice. Thanks again!
Jeff Kilgore
"Your life is designed to give you the results that you are getting"
Founder - Madnonnie.com
"It's Like A Whole 'Nother Internet"
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 8:03 PM |
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It sounds to me like you are looking for a knight in shining armor to assist you. With each bit of advice you've gotten, you give thanks and say that you still want someone to come along and help. There are people out there with a passion to help businesses get through the tough spots. They are business coaches and you will probably find many by searching. I know a guy who does business coaching and is a former web developer. I've only met him a few times so I have no idea if he's any good at it but it goes to show there are people out there who do exactly what you seem to be wanting.
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 8:12 PM |
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OK this sounds good. I have not tried this and perhaps it might work. Do you know one that specializes in the dot com world? My main problem I believe is two part - One: Need for another cracker jack programmer - Two: Need for guidance through the treacherous Internet waters.
Jeff Kilgore
"Your life is designed to give you the results that you are getting"
Founder - Madnonnie.com
"It's Like A Whole 'Nother Internet"
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| Nov. 29 2007 at 11:54 PM |
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Also, I know there are a lot of programming requests that seem to get answered through Elance.com. Have you looked around there?
Another aspect of Steve's suggestion re a business coach, might be that
you're not comfortable truly delegating. Perhaps in the past you've
been in more control than you think you were, and other folks didn't
like it so much? But to really delegate means you have to both let go
of the process, but retain control of managing that process. Sounds
like you're more in a management problem, no?
Craig Landes
---
Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown
International Society of Curmudgeons
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| Nov. 30 2007 at 12:03 AM |
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I don't think so and I have no idea how you got that from anything I wrote. My problem is that I don't have the programmers I need to complete the tasks on time and I am trying to avoid pit falls that come along with this type of business. Can you elaborate on your comment.
By the way, I used elance.com and found it ti be filled with fraudulent people and programmers that could not produce what they said they could. If you have a small task it will work fine but we are looking for top notch programmers that Google would love to have.
Jeff Kilgore
"Your life is designed to give you the results that you are getting"
Founder - Madnonnie.com
"It's Like A Whole 'Nother Internet"
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| Nov. 30 2007 at 11:51 AM |
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Do you have realistic expectations of how long development takes?
I mean, something may seem "simple"to you but require 500 lines of code from your programmer, and these things take time.
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writing | marketing | web: NHG Consulting
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