Do you consider yourself a business person (while being a programmer)?

Question

In the early days of my job as a programmer, I remember being proud of wearing a stupid t-shirt and coming late to work: just sitting with a bunch of nerds like me in front of the computer, doing stuff that felt like sci-fi. I was pretty happy that I could differentiate myself from business people.

After several years of developing business applications and being quite successful at it, more often I find myself sitting in meetings with clients, discussing business needs, preparing proposals and sometimes even wearing a tie. And I am not even a manager or consultant, just a guy doing a job, which I didn't realize until now were necessary for a project to start.

Is it inevitable that you become a business person or is it just a sign for me to change my job? Do you do this kind of work often?

Answer 1

Having been in the business for many years, I believe the best developers are the ones that truely understand the business. Looked at another way, how can you come up with a great solution to a problem you don't understand?

Does this mean you have to go over to the dark side? I don't think so. When you go into a meeting with the business people remember the saying "When in Rome do as the Romans."

Answer 2

I know just what you're talking about. I am wondering whether I will myself have to attend business meetings and get involved in the business side of the software projects. As of now - I hope not. But I guess in due time I will consider tackling the business part of it just as exciting as I now consider the software bit.

I hope in the years to come I will gather more strength and self-conscience to become involved, with pleasure, in the business side of my currently followed career pathway.

Answer 3

Absolutely, these days anyone can write code and get paid for it. customers/employers who are paying you to write code expect you to be professional and have a good attitude.

I think programmers are afforded some luxuries that other professions aren't, but for the most part you are expected to be more of a professional now more than ever.

There are probably still some shorts and t-shirt jobs out there, but they are rapidly going away.

At least in my opinion...

Answer 4

I think I follow you here and I know from others that I've talked with that you are not alone. It's frustrating being caught between the business end and the creative/production end in ones career. Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it) the business people side is a necessary Evil. Most people really don't like it (even some of your hard core managers and smarmy sales guys) but they need to do it because that is how they get along, that is where their skills are.

Regarding a programmer becoming a "business person," well that is the big jump that most programmers question. When do I take more responsibility and work closer with project managers, business managers, clients and those "great" sales guys? In doing so you lose your connection to the "Sci-Fi" technology you were / are so passionate about. It's a kind of the mid life crises most programmers go through, but usually a lot younger than the average worker bee.

Is it Inevitable?: No, but it's your choice. It really depends on how you want to grow. 1. Broad - understanding all business parts of the business process or 2. Deep - Diving down in to technical "expert-hood" Kind of self-actualization of your craft. Think Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

The thing is both have their downfalls. Being Deep: a shift in tools or a layoff can put you into a world of hurt if there is no longer a call your line of tech tools / work (Understanding you can go broad technically with out the "business person" career direction and still be in a similar world of hurt), or Being Broad: the business persons / tech hybrid could push you out of your position if you don't have the "business" knack. It's harder to go back, depending on how long you were out.

Changing a job isn't necessarily the answer unless you want to make a total career change. The Grass is Green syndrome is most everyone’s issue. This line between programmers and business will always exist. Ok to get to the point - There is no real one answer for this Board (business) Deep technical question - I say go where your passion and strengths are. Chart a graph if you must and where those two lines intersect - THERE YOU ARE! Do your best!

Hope that helps!