Wide Teams

Episode #45: Mike Smith of Blitz.io

Listen Later

Mike Smith, of Blitz.io, talks about being a part of a distributed team while being based in Austin, TX, why notifications and knowing your app is being used are good for team morale and self-esteem, and different strategies that promote communication between working regions.

Show Notes:

Blitz.io

Twitter: @evilmike

00:33 – Mike Smith Introductory

[unordered_list style=”bullet”]

  • Tech Lead at Blitz.io
  • Based in Austin, Texas
  • Team is based mostly in California with 2 others in Brazil

    • [/unordered_list]

    01:25 – History of being distributed

    [unordered_list style=”bullet”]

    • Worked with the others in CA before moving to TX
    • Brazilian team are contractors by refferal
    • 6 team members total

      • [/unordered_list]

      02:50 – Working together

      [unordered_list style=”bullet”]

      • Keeping in touch on a daily basis
      • Campfire & Pivotal Tracker

        • [/unordered_list]

        03:47 – Automation around Campfire

        [unordered_list style=”bullet”]

        • New user registration
        • Plan purchases
        • Exception reporting & errors

          [/unordered_list]

          07:00 – Energy of knowing your app is being used

          [unordered_list style=”bullet”]

          • Sales get a notification
          • Everybody likes to hear the bell ring

            • [/unordered_list]

            08:30 – Strategies to promote communication between regions

            [unordered_list style=”bullet”]

            • Weekly call
            • Live internal demos

              • [/unordered_list]

              10:30 – Challenges of distance

              [unordered_list style=”bullet”]

              • Communication bandwidth
              • Whiteboard
              • Lucidchart
              • Gesturing

                • [/unordered_list]

                14:35 – Advice for teams starting to work remotely

                [unordered_list style=”bullet”]

                • Work with people youâ€ve worked with before if possible
                • Shared sense of humor

                  • [/unordered_list]

                  18:43 – Facetime with team members
                  ...more
                  View all episodesView all episodes
                  Download on the App Store
                  Wide TeamsBy Avdi Grimm
                  • 4.6
                  • 4.6
                  • 4.6
                  • 4.6
                  • 4.6

                  4.6

                  10 ratings