Comments on: Welcome Back My Friends

By: David Stein

David Stein — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:24:39 +0000

Since we are in the computer business, and geeks abound in it, the first thing I thought of with this re-branding was Rockstar Games. They are the makers of Grand Theft Auto and other franchises. Just something else to consider when it comes to image.

By: Thomas LaRock

Thomas LaRock — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:43:39 +0000

i am in 100% agreement on that Phil, teamwork will always overcome independent individual efforts.

By: Phil Factor

Phil Factor — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:24:35 +0000

Lol.

The best, and most productive, Development Team I ever came across was called ‘The Barbershop Quartet’. The great achievers in IT do so by inspiring and leading teams, not just by acts of individual brilliance.

By: Rob Paller

Rob Paller — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:39:50 +0000

I think it is still quite possible to be a Rockstar in any audience. The art comes in the ability to play to your audience.

I have seen my share of Rockstars in a consulting capacity working with large companies that played low key.
But when it came time to rock out on a database problem, they showed the deft of Joe Satriani on an Ibanez JS Series.

By: Brent Ozar

Brent Ozar — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:11:43 +0000

Phil – you and I agree on most of that, actually. I agree that in order to be a consultant to large companies, you need to be a worker bee, not a queen. Or Queen, in this case! I would also agree that most of the “big” consultancy money is in larger enterprises, but it’s just not for me. I’m happier working with smaller companies.

Our two approaches are probably reflected in our blogs, too: you blog under a pseudonym to maintain your corporate marketability to big companies, and I bet that’s very effective for your needs.

By: Thomas LaRock

Thomas LaRock — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:06:32 +0000

thanks Phil. As always, you bring up some very good points to consider. as a result, today i will put down my Gibson and instead focus on my harpsichord.

By: Phil Factor

Phil Factor — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:38:28 +0000

I think, looking at Brent’s comments, that my advice would need a bit more explanation. I am, of course, thinking of the IT departments of large corporates rather than software development shops. It depends very much on the sort of customers you want to appeal to, but I’d hate you to think that the idea of a
Rockstar or SQL hero is going to have a universal appeal in the IT job/consultancy marketplace. In fact it always surprises me when I come across the idea that individual heroics are wanted in an IT professional. I’ve enjoyed a long career as a IT consultant, but I’ve never met anyone who has established a sustained career as a consultant to large companies based on this sort of ‘exceptional individual’ image. I cannot recall an IT manager who has ever said to me ‘If only I had a Rockstar IT professional to sort my problems out’. Usually they just want Rock-solid competence from a good team-player. Go for SMEs if you wish, and they’ll be attracted by the idea and use you as a firefighter, but the real consultancy money is in the larger enterprises.

My role-model amongst RockStars is Billy F Gibbons of course. Jerry Douglas is my current guitar hero.

By: Thomas LaRock

Thomas LaRock — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:11:49 +0000

Phil,

Like a Rock – Bob Seger, 1986. Is that what you meant about finding people that are dependable and solid? I don’t believe that dependable and solid means you need to be quiet, and I am not sure I want to work in a place that would prefer for me to come in, sit down, work, then go home. I do, however, value your opinion, and believe I understand what you are saying. And I would argue that there are plenty of “rock stars” who are, indeed, quiet, dependable, and solid (although their music may be loud, the individual is not). How about Bob Seger as another example? Or a Jackson Browne? Or an Elvis Costello? Solid, dependable output year after year, and you don’t hear about a lot of the mayhem that you would hear from a David Lee Roth, or a Billy Idol, or Steven Tyler.

There are lots of levels to Rockstars, but most nearly all of them can perform, and that is almost always the end result that people want, no?

By: Brent Ozar

Brent Ozar — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:54:18 +0000

Hmm – totally disagree with Phil. Fog Creek Software is the extreme example, but everywhere I’ve worked, managers have been desperate to hire people who could really stand out. They fill their lineups with the quiet dependable folks, but they’re dying to get their hands on people who can really bust out of the status quo.

By: Phil Factor

Phil Factor — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:42:25 +0000

Well, I agree with the sentiments, of course, but I can’t see that the name ‘LaSQLRockstar’ is going to be more endearing to people that you’re going to work for than ‘SQLBatman’. Any manager is going to blanch at the thought of any DBA who is prone to doing the SQL equivalent of heavy-metal guitar solos. No IT department I’ve been in has ever wanted rock stars or heroes, just quiet dependable folks, solid as a Rock.