Kayden
Tech Monkey
I came across this today:
http://cdn.flamehaus.com/Valve_Handbook_LowRes.pdf
It is the Employee handbook that given to all Valve employees. There were many things that stuck out to me like:
"A fearless adventure
in knowing what to do
when no one’s there
telling you what to do"
"Can I be included the next time Valve is deciding X?
Yes. There’s no secret decision-making cabal. No matter
what project, you’re already invited. All you have to do is
either (1) Start working on it, or (2) Start talking to all the
people who you think might be working on it already and
find out how to best be valuable."
"Hours
While people occasionally choose to push themselves to
work some extra hours at times when something big is
going out the door, for the most part working overtime for
extended periods indicates a fundamental failure in planning
or communication. If this happens at Valve, it’s a sign
that something needs to be reevaluated and corrected. If
you’re looking around wondering why people aren’t in
“crunch mode,” the answer’s pretty simple. The thing we
work hardest at is hiring good people, so we want them to
stick around and have a good balance between work and
family and the rest of the important stuff in life.
If you find yourself working long hours, or just generally
feel like that balance is out of whack, be sure to raise the
issue with whomever you feel would help. Dina loves to force
people to take vacations, so you can make her your first stop."
Just these few things made see Valve as not only a company, but one that's guided by it's employees and not money hungry executives looking for a quick buck. I have felt this was about their games, because they have for the most part been about quality, but to see that they encourage their employees to go where they are inspired that is literally shocking and amazing.
Anyways, have a read draw your own conclusions. I will be go finish reading before I spoil any more. (c;
http://cdn.flamehaus.com/Valve_Handbook_LowRes.pdf
It is the Employee handbook that given to all Valve employees. There were many things that stuck out to me like:
"A fearless adventure
in knowing what to do
when no one’s there
telling you what to do"
"Can I be included the next time Valve is deciding X?
Yes. There’s no secret decision-making cabal. No matter
what project, you’re already invited. All you have to do is
either (1) Start working on it, or (2) Start talking to all the
people who you think might be working on it already and
find out how to best be valuable."
"Hours
While people occasionally choose to push themselves to
work some extra hours at times when something big is
going out the door, for the most part working overtime for
extended periods indicates a fundamental failure in planning
or communication. If this happens at Valve, it’s a sign
that something needs to be reevaluated and corrected. If
you’re looking around wondering why people aren’t in
“crunch mode,” the answer’s pretty simple. The thing we
work hardest at is hiring good people, so we want them to
stick around and have a good balance between work and
family and the rest of the important stuff in life.
If you find yourself working long hours, or just generally
feel like that balance is out of whack, be sure to raise the
issue with whomever you feel would help. Dina loves to force
people to take vacations, so you can make her your first stop."
Just these few things made see Valve as not only a company, but one that's guided by it's employees and not money hungry executives looking for a quick buck. I have felt this was about their games, because they have for the most part been about quality, but to see that they encourage their employees to go where they are inspired that is literally shocking and amazing.
Anyways, have a read draw your own conclusions. I will be go finish reading before I spoil any more. (c;
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