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Gordon Ramsay could teach software engineers a thing or two? (virtualchaos.co.uk)
3 points by danw on Feb 18, 2009 | hide | past | favorite | 3 comments



The article tries to match software troubles and problem to a kitchen. Maybe right but I don't think Mr Ramsay's way to motivating people should work in any creative (software) or peopleware shop. Shouting at people usually don't work except in the military (and I'm not convinced that it really works there in the phase of teaching people things they can't do).

For a different approach build a team like http://books.google.se/books?id=LgHHfzec33UC&dq=Software...


Labelling Ramsay as "the guy that yells at people to motivate them" is really doing him a disservice I think. Yes he shouts at people, but that's usually when they aren't pulling their weight in the kitchen, or are being stubborn while their business is clearly suffering. The show is, surprisingly enough, about more than him yelling, though admittedly that is fun to watch ;)

Ramsay's philosophy is basically the same as PG's "make something people want". He really is very good at devising menus that do just that and promoting them (though arguably his celebrity status helps a little there). The restaurant owners that he "rescues" all seem to be eerily like that guy who wrote the article about how opening a cafe was his lifelong ambition, but it ruined his life, because he was too caught up in living the dream to run it as a business.

I really enjoy his show and I really respect his pragmatism, focus, and love for what he does. It's a pleasure to watch. If you haven't seen it definitely check it out.


The british version is much better, a lot less yelling and gimmicks -- more about each restaurant.




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