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How to say no (37signals.com)
24 points by mattjung on May 27, 2008 | hide | past | favorite | 4 comments


I think it's also important to document no's (and yes's). The obvious place for that would be the bug tracker.

Documenting a "no" does several good things: 1. It avoids repetition 2. I think it creates a certain sense of accomplishment for the user you're responding to? He's come forward with a suggestion and the resulting dialogue has left an artifact, which can be useful as per point #1.

It's also important to document "not now"'s for the same reasons above. I'd just make an entry with a very low priority. (oh damn I'm stating the obvious here).


I've noticed a pattern with the 37signals folks.

How to profit on the internet: Make something people want and charge.

How to say no: Explain yourself, be honest, and just say no.

I guess it just has to do with what you leave out.


Some horrible manager in a previous career must have really tortured Jason by wasting time with Gantt charts.

Gantt charts are probably not all that useful for a group of 3 YC founders living in an apartment paid for with pg's spare change, but when you're got multiple departments and companies on a deadline, they can be very valuable. Knowing how your bit fits in and who's doing what this week are valuable things.


Another opinion http://www.whybasecampsux.org/, this is mostly about Basecamp saying "no".




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