From My Heart to Yours: The Essential Unity of Business and Development
Let's talk heart-to-heart for a moment. I've walked through the corridors of many companies and seen the same scene repeatedly: business and development teams moving in parallel universes, barely intersecting.
It's a sight that's both disheartening and deeply frustrating. Because, in my bones, I know these worlds aren't just connected; they're inseparable. They're like two halves of the same heart, pumping life into the body of a company.
We're All in This Together
Imagine a world without "business people" on one side and "developers" on the other. Instead, there's just us - a team dreaming big and working hard to make those dreams a reality. In this world, developers feel it when sales hit a snag, too, because their work directly impacts sales. Conversely, if development faces hurdles, the sales team feels the pinch because they've got nothing to sell. We're in this together, for better or worse.
Feeling the Pinch of Disconnection
The business world, with its focus on budgets, deadlines, and concrete outcomes, often clashes with development's adaptive, iterative nature
I've felt the tension, the frustration, and the stress of being caught in the no-man's-land between a rigid business plan and the fluid, “dynamic” world of development. It's like navigating a boat with a fixed rudder in shifting seas. The business world, with its focus on budgets, deadlines, and concrete outcomes, often clashes with development's adaptive, iterative nature. This clash isn't just counterproductive; it's damaging. It leads to missed deadlines, frazzled nerves, and projects that veer off course.
A Cultural Revolution
What we need is nothing short of a cultural revolution. A shift from a fragmented, departmental mindset to a cohesive, unified team spirit. Imagine a company culture where everyone - from the CEO to the newest intern - sees themselves as part of a single, integrated team. Where challenges in development are tackled with the same urgency and commitment as challenges in sales because they're our challenges.
This isn't about blurring lines; it's about erasing them. It's about recognizing that in the fluid, unpredictable journey of bringing a vision to life, we all need to be flexible, open-minded, and, above all, united.
A Personal Plea from a CTO
As a CTO, I've straddled these worlds and felt the weight of bridging this gap. It's a task that's both daunting and deeply personal. It's more than aligning projects; it's about aligning hearts and minds towards a shared purpose. It's about fostering an environment where business acumen and development agility coexist harmoniously.
Let's Make It Happen
🍪 culture isn't just a buzzword; it's our company’s compass.
So here's my plea to you, from the depths of my heart: let's break barriers. Let's build companies where unity isn't just an ideal; it's our reality. Where we celebrate our shared achievements and face our challenges shoulder to shoulder. Because when we do, we unlock the true potential of what we can achieve together.
In this journey, culture isn't just a buzzword; it's our compass. It guides us, sustains us, and ultimately defines us. Let's commit to a culture of understanding, respect, and shared responsibility. Let's build companies and communities where everyone feels valued, understood, and integral to our success.
Together, let's not just dream of a better way; let's make it our reality.
Adrian,
stackableCTO, Mentor, and CTO webbar.dev
The Disconnect between business and Development