Software Developers Build New Planet

Peter Thiel said,

We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters

In some ways, it was a commentary about the frivolity of technology in recent times. 

Isn’t that a little like saying that the multi-decade, trillion-dollar US interstate highway system only got us fast food restaurants - like Bob’s Big Boy? Anyone remember Bob’s? I stumbled onto one recently – didn’t know it was still around. 

In the not-to-distant future we’ll look back on what’s happening right now in tech, and we’ll understand how dramatic it was. 

I’d counter Peter Thiel’s comment - In my opinion

We got MUCH MORE than flying cars from software (and hardware) development!

Good, bad or indifferent - there’s a new planet being built with an incredible sense of global urgency. No company, person, organization or government decided to do it, but it is happening anyway. We are getting a new virtual world - that we spend substantial amounts of our time in. And, people seem to love it. They like supplementing the traditional world with a virtual world - a lot!

That concept is sometimes controversial, but think of the social, economic, political and interpersonal changes that are affected because there’s a new virtual world cohabiting within the traditional world. 

The big stuff is always disruptive and controversial...printing press, paper currency, steel, electric light, the domesticated horse, transistors, intercontinental rail and freeways, the telegraph/phone, steam engines, TV - and so on. BTW - You can pretty well find the digital version for most of them in the rapidly developing online new world.

It’s the tech devs who are todays pioneers. And, organizations are looking for the great devs. Here’s an example of one of our positions:

...for full-stack software engineers, DevOps engineers, and software architects who are creative problem solvers and can take initiative. You will have a lot of freedom in steering the technical direction of the teams. We're growing quickly, and there is lots to do. We are constantly experimenting with a wide array of technologies- React, Python, Node.js, AngularJS, Aurelia, Kubernetes, Docker, etc. Although specific knowledge of programming languages and toolchains are useful, we are more interested in individuals with excellent problem-solving abilities, intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn.  

And, thanks to our millennial team members...

We’ve embraced a more millennial-friendly culture here, so we can include the hearts and minds of today’s great people. You’ll find more food and drinks in the offices, health & wellness programs, sports teams (sometimes volleyball, softball or soccer), holiday events (Halloween contests, potlucks and parties). Your colleagues are dressed casually, and we’ve sourced discounts at health clubs, movies theaters, cultural events, and even apartments in some areas. ...more to come. 

Millenials or not, the whole team appreciates the more significant elements of the CaseStack culture that have seen the Company recognized as a "Best Places to Work" in two states for over five years running. The organization is known for:

• Freedom to be creative, take initiative and make things happen
• Direct access to company executives regardless of title
• Employee feedback surveys (that actually implement suggestions)
• Transparency and open communication
• Freedom to share opinion and respect for differing opinions
• Mentorship to grow and improve with a “never stop learning” mentality
• Encouragement and feedback
• Family atmosphere that feels more like home than work
• Ability to be part of decision-making processes
• Dedication to educating employees
• Support of entrepreneurial efforts and outside projects
• Challenging and rewarding work
• Fun work environment

It may sound unusual, but the whole team should thank millennials. When CaseStack started in Santa Monica in early 2000, it sought to replicate the usual large-company environment. After all, although CaseStack was always a highly tech-enabled company, it was still in a staid vertical (i.e. Supply Chain Management). 

Fast-forward to now, and times have changed. CaseStack has embraced its tech-centric and people-centric culture. Now that we are larger, we don't need to act large. We need to foster the entrepreneurial, can-do, merit-based attitude that got us here. None of it would be remotely possible without the pioneers who worked as early-CaseStack led changes in the industry. But, more recently, the millennials are shaking up the place.

Thanks to the early pioneers at the Company, everyone has a strong set of typical corporate benefits, but the new generation isn't wowed by that stuff. They are interested in how the culture of a business speaks to them. They've grown up with a startup mentality and embrace iteration and even fast-failure that leads to learning and results. They understand and embrace collaborative technologies. And, what looks like impatience translates into a demand for quick organizational action. More important, millennials are a driving force towards significant, scalable, and lasting social change that will benefit everyone, whether it’s about the environment, socioeconomic diversity, or just a healthier work-life integration.

Dan is the President and CEO of CaseStack, Advisory Director to SupplyPike, and the author of Collaborate: The Art of We. You can check out Dan's Instagram.