Finding the right developer - building a good team

[Milos Jovanovic]

Hello,

I am new to Mobile Portland and I would like to add a topic for the next meeting or for this Google Group.  I would like to get help from this group about selecting the right team members.

background: we want to create a start-up app development team and would like to find 'the right' developer/ programmer.  The ideas, design and some funding are all in place but we are having a hard time connecting with the programmers.  In my other life I was an architect, and had my own design/build firm so I am very good with leading complex projects with a tone of multidisciplinary parts.  However I am new at app development and I don't know much about the background of app building. 

How do I find a person who is capable of developing a product, start to finish, working in a professional and organized collaboration with me at a reasonable budget? 

Thanks,
Milos

[Abstract Machines]

Excellent question! How long have you been in Portland? A lot of the better developers can be found through networking.

Are you offering pay or equity? Good developers very often will prefer pay. Stock options are nice but they dont pay today's bills.

I'm looking forward to this discussion :)

Amanda Machina

Sent from my iPhone

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[Milos Jovanovic]

Hi Amanda,

Thans for your comment.  I have been in Portland for a long time but in different circles.  I am new to app development and I just don't know where to start except that I am looking forward to the next meeting of this group!

I would offer a mix of pay and equity.  As any start-up there is a lot of risk involved and I my hope is that all team members have a strong desire to see the project succeed.  On the other side bills don't pay themselves:)

Milos

On Monday, March 5, 2012 8:27:52 PM UTC-8, abstract machines wrote:

Excellent question! How long have you been in Portland? A lot of the better developers can be found through networking.

Are you offering pay or equity? Good developers very often will prefer pay. Stock options are nice but they dont pay today's bills.

I'm looking forward to this discussion :)

Amanda Machina

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 5, 2012, at 1:58 PM, Milos Jovanovic <milo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello,

I am new to Mobile Portland and I would like to add a topic for the next meeting or for this Google Group.  I would like to get help from this group about selecting the right team members.

background: we want to create a start-up app development team and would like to find 'the right' developer/ programmer.  The ideas, design and some funding are all in place but we are having a hard time connecting with the programmers.  In my other life I was an architect, and had my own design/build firm so I am very good with leading complex projects with a tone of multidisciplinary parts.  However I am new at app development and I don't know much about the background of app building. 

How do I find a person who is capable of developing a product, start to finish, working in a professional and organized collaboration with me at a reasonable budget? 

Thanks,
Milos

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[Werner Bahlke]

Hi Milos,

Unlike you, I am new to Portland but I have a lot of software development experience. Please see my LinkedIn page for details. I have managed and built teams as well as doing actual programming.

Since I am in the networking mode and I am trying to find out how I can use my talents here in Portland, I'd love to meet (maybe over a coffee).

I would gladly volunteer to share some of my experience with you and maybe help you get started with picking the right development team in a kind of mentoring role.

Please let me know if you are interested and I am looking forward to connecting soon.

All the best,

Werner Bahlke

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[Audrey Whitfield MacKenzie]

Hi again--I don't understand exactly what you are trying to achieve. I will assume you have an idea for an app and then want a team to develop it?? OR ...are you interested in being in the business of mobile app development? Those are two separate things. If it is the former I have a good idea for you. Let me know. Thanks.

Audrey

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[Milos Jovanovic]

Hi Audrey,

I also don't understand exactly what I'm trying to achieve:)  I know I don't want to be in business of developing apps at large.  My goal is to develop and maintain several apps as a business.  Thanks for posting this question because I think it hits at the hart of the reason for my post in the first place.

So the way I see things: working for clients kind of sucks.  Most often they have no idea about what you do and how you do it.  They don't actually appreciate or care about your effort to really go beyond the ordinary and as such are not happy about paying for your time.  They don't understand that there is a huge difference from a crappy and an excellent product... I could continue like this for a very long time but I think you get the picture.

I DON'T want to be this client and have that kind of a relationship with a programmer.  I have had my own architectural office and been on the other side of the table and that's why I know very well that I don't like the standard concept of client/ creator relationship. 

The reason why I want to develop apps is so that I can make money (and also have fun but that is a second priority) and I am looking for programmers who are interested in a long term arrangement where the app development is a first step.  There will be updating, changing and adopting in play as things really get interesting.  This is where the fun/money really heat up. 

So in this business model I don't see working for clients on specific projects.  I see really getting involved in the success of each app - in every way including the compensation.  At the beginning (now) I am investing into creating an app that will be popular ($$$) so that I can make a profit in the long term.  I would like a programmer to have a similar view of the project. 

This relates to compensation in the following way - get paid for your work modestly in cash but invest in making a lot more if the product you help create becomes a success.

OK, I tried to be as open as possible, please let me know if what I said makes any sense or not?

Cheers,
Milos

On Tuesday, March 6, 2012 11:09:22 AM UTC-8, jaudmack wrote:

Hi again--I don't understand exactly what you are trying to achieve. I will assume you have an idea for an app and then want a team to develop it?? OR ...are you interested in being in the business of mobile app development? Those are two separate things. If it is the former I have a good idea for you. Let me know. Thanks.

Audrey

On Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 3:58 PM, Milos Jovanovic <milo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello,

I am new to Mobile Portland and I would like to add a topic for the next meeting or for this Google Group.  I would like to get help from this group about selecting the right team members.

background: we want to create a start-up app development team and would like to find 'the right' developer/ programmer.  The ideas, design and some funding are all in place but we are having a hard time connecting with the programmers.  In my other life I was an architect, and had my own design/build firm so I am very good with leading complex projects with a tone of multidisciplinary parts.  However I am new at app development and I don't know much about the background of app building. 

How do I find a person who is capable of developing a product, start to finish, working in a professional and organized collaboration with me at a reasonable budget? 

Thanks,
Milos

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[Kelly White]

I realize this comment may be ill-timed with today’s announcements, but when any of you are interested in bringing your apps over to Windows Phone / Windows 8, please feel free to reach out.  I’d be more than happy to help.  J

 

Regards,

 

Kelly White | Microsoft MVP – Windows Phone Development

 

Mobile: 503.250.3755 | Web: http://kelly.whitepdx.com

Twitter: @mckhendry | LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kellywhite

 

From: mobile-...@googlegroups.com [mailto:mobile-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Amanda Machina (Abstract Machines)
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 11:17 AM
To: mobile-...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {Mobile Portland} Finding the right developer - building a good team

 

Sounds like there are several app ideas Milos has, and he wants to form a team to develop multiple apps.

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Amanda Machina

 

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[Rex Stevens]

Hi all,

 

iParse is looking for a mobile app (iOS & Android) tester who is interested in a long term but part time gig.  Everything is online and very flexible so it would be a good supplement to a day job or extra income for a retiree.   Please pass this on to the testers you know.  Thanks!

 

Contact Rex Stevens with interest or questions.

R...@iParse.com

[Jonathan Karon]

Hi Milos,

On Mar 7, 2012, at 8:19 AM, Milos Jovanovic wrote:

> I also don't understand exactly what I'm trying to achieve:) I know I don't want to be in business of developing apps at large. My goal is to develop and maintain several apps as a business. Thanks for posting this question because I think it hits at the hart of the reason for my post in the first place.

It sounds like you are looking for business partners. You're describing a pretty classic ISV - independent software vendor - in the business of publishing apps.

In addition to having ideas for a few apps you're going to have to assemble the visual design, UX, and engineering talent necessary to build a stand-out product and develop or hire the marketing expertise to give you a reasonable chance of making more than you spend (having self-published a fairly successful app I can tell you even the ones that look like they won app store roulette usually have a lot of strategy and hard marketing work behind them).

Many designers and programmers are open to speculative development or profit-sharing but you'll have an easier time of it if you can convince them that you have a realistic plan for marketing and sales. One model you might consider is putting out RFPs for design and implementation of a minimum viable app and having conversations with whomever sends you a proposal. After you talk to them you might have a sense of whether you'll work well together. Negotiate the initial build as a contract gig and then go out and market it. If it sells well you've shown your plan has merit and it should be easier to come to terms on a partnership for improving the first app and starting additional products.

I don't want to bore everyone with more detail and other possible models, but feel free to get in touch off-list if you want to chat.

~jonathan

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Jonathan Karon, Tappister