My friend Robert Schultz recently gave his opinion on software programmer mentality in Fresno. I personally think it speaks to a larger issue going on with tech companies themselves in the Fresno/Clovis area.
I was born and raised in Fresno, and for at least 90% of the last 12 years I’ve been a full-time software developer for 6 different companies in the area. I hate to say it, but with most of them it was only about a year or two before I had to put in my resignation. They all had great people and great potential. But there was always some big setback that eventually caused me to leave.
Most recently my issues with these companies have been with both business direction and how they valued their developers. As engineers, we want to create and have our ideas listened to and our accomplishments valued. Lack of this is the main fault of most of the places I’ve worked for in Fresno (some more than others of course). Developers should never be treated as just “task monkeys” and handed a to-do list of specific items to check off. Many fall into that trap simply because that’s how it’s been for them for so long. At the point that it becomes “just a job” and they can’t wait until the clock hits 5 or 6 every day, and that’s only if they’re lucky and not forced into overtime.
Some of us have entrepreneurial aspirations and some do not, and that’s fine. But I think all developers want to contribute ideas and be in on the decision-making process wherever we work. We want to innovate all the time, and from my experience companies around here give little effort if at all to encouraging this process. At companies like Google it’s part of your job description. It’s no secret that sometimes half their new services came out of their “innovation time” policy. Plenty of startups elsewhere do something similar. Managers and company owners need to be open with their business goals and ask their people to openly discuss ideas and company direction. I know I would enjoy my job more if that was part of my responsibilities.
And I don’t think companies realize this, but with poor developer treatment they are taking a huge hit in efficiency. Projects start going in the wrong direction because they’re not listening to their people. In turn employees start working at a 25% motivation level because they don’t feel valued. The company starts falling way behind in current technology. Then developers stuck in this old technology realize they’re not going anywhere with their skills. It’s a vicious cycle. Developers that get fed up start looking elsewhere for something better, and when they have a tough time finding a better job around Fresno, they leave. That’s part of the “brain drain” we hear about.
Back to company mentality, we’re still behind in technology for the most part in Fresno from what I’ve experienced. Where are the companies really using social media or blogging regularly? Why do I still hear more about building Windows apps than mobile apps? Why do all these local companies spend so much time and money hosting their own servers (for internal use or external clients) instead of co-locating? It isn’t new news anymore that using cloud services (Google, Amazon or otherwise) are much more reliable, speedier and secure. Why are people still maintaining Exchange servers and installing Office on every workstation? Even Microsoft, who benefits from all the companies sticking with “classic” Exchange and Office setups realizes this is inevitable. They can host Exchange for you and are coming out with a browser-based version of Office 2010. Even Washington DC moved to Google Apps. At least consider What Would Google Do? This is 2009 people!
Myself and a handful of good developers I know in Fresno are very rooted here and thus determined to find the best place to work that they can. (That or start their own company). For me it’s because family and friends around here come before my career. Take that away from me and I’m out to bigger “tech hubs.” I know personally some good developers here that aren’t as rooted are just waiting for the right opportunity to leave. The business case for local startups Plastic Jungle (only local company I’ve seen on TechCrunch) and Vine Global (winner of last year’s Start-It-Up contest) to stay put were not enough, so recently they both left.
On behalf of all software developers in Fresno and Clovis (let alone the startup scene and effect on the economy locally), I sure hope this trend turns around soon.
I agree on the part about companies moving away from hosted solutions like for Exchange and Office based applications. Google Apps is such a great alternative and can really drive the costs down especially in smaller companies.
I think we need to get to the root of this problem. That brain drain is a major issue and both you and I have seen it over the years, more now than ever! I think the mentality here like you said has just been the same for so long that’s just how people think it is. And it doesn’t have to be.
We need a “break out of the cubicle” movement here.
Thank you Business Journal. They just posted a survey to gather some data. From their tweet:
The State of Technology in the Valley. Let us know what you think. http://tinyurl.com/mhrs5z
For further reading…
http://rob.crabapples.net/2009/08/fresno-technology-black-hole.htm
One more problem I've noticed in Fresno. Software engineers are not given a stake in the future success of the company, i.e. profit sharing or stock options. In Silicon Valley, that's the norm and is to be expected.
Hold the horses!! There are actually jobs for programmers in Fresno? Surely you jest!
Another great post and great points! Sounds like you are venting here ;). But yes, innovation is a scary subject for many here in the Valley. I see the ‘mouse on the spinning wheel’ mentality in other businesses here as well.
On a positive note, it is great to have shining stars who call the Valley home and are determined to make it a better place. People like you, Phil, and many others.
Now, if I can just get my boss to read this article…