This week I spent two days working with a mix of messaging, infrastructure, server, operations, mobile and device teams on a site in Cleveland. Obviously names are never mentioned (You know who you are) but I noticed two traits in the company which I sadly find unusual.

They really liked their job and their company
These guys were interested in providing the best service for their user-base. They wanted them to have the best experience and to do their job as easily as possible. Their turnaround time on responding to requests was most impressive.  No complaining or bitching about the company or each other.  They *liked* working there.  They *liked* their bosses.  They respected each other.  No grumps.  No bitching.  Open comments about how the company is a great place to work.

They design and build in the USA
Unfortunately, the mantra surrounding the USA as a “consumer nation” is something I frequently find to be true. Most companies I deal with are service based and typically production is offshore. That can be physical production or technical back end support provided in a cheaper country. Not here. They build their product for the USA market in the USA. Not only that, they took pride in actually doing so.

Two things I felt compelled to blog about. Shame that either of them are rare.

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

I bet Google’s team wishes that native apps were passé, seeing as it had to claw back a malfunctioning iOS app from the market on Wednesday. If if weren’t for the fact that its customers insist on having a native app – if only they were happy to use a mobile web browser – then no one at Mountain View would be worried about their jobs. But they are

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Back Monday.

While on a short run

Took this while out running this morning.  Twitter seemed to like it so reposting here.

Insanely busy.  Lots going on work-wise.  Hopefully things will calm down in a few days.

Having taken the 2-wheel approach to meet up with Bill Buchan, followed by a tough biking course in Scotland yesterday, we are heading to Edinburgh Airport to fly to Gelsenkirken, Germany for the annual Admincamp event.  ”Rudifest” is well known for being a deep dive event, and over Tuesday and Wednesday I will be presenting three times.  One of them will be with Bill.  God help us all.

Vocals aside, the piano accompaniment is stunning.

Via Chris Coates and posted by Warren.  I know some very odd people.