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How can I keep my team's enthusiasm [closed]
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I am a young entrepreneur with a brand new start up. I am still at school and so are my developers. The thing is one of my developer left the project because he couldn't spare enough time to work on it efficiently. We are all working
fulltime in a job for the summer and part-time on the project. We spend most of our free time working on the start up to do as much as possible before the university start. We also want to keep working part-time on it during school.
Edit: We agreed to work around 5 to 10 hours every week on the project each. Some week can be less than 5 and others can be more than 10 as long as everyone reach their deadline on time. I thought this would be the fairest way to go.
My question is : Since I don't have a lot of knowledge on team management. I would like to know how could I keep everyone excited about the project and prevent them from quitting? I fear they will think they won't be able to manage their time for the project and school. Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they are really talented student/programmer. It won't be easy, of course, but I believe it's feasible.
Note : I didn't ask this question on the startup section since I think it is more related to the workplace/Team managing.
Please pardon my lack of knowledge on this subject and my English.
management team project-management time-management student
asked Jul 4 '16 at 17:14
Ein
11
closed as too broad by Chris E, Jim G., Lilienthal♦, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Rory Alsop Jul 18 '16 at 11:47
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
I am a young entrepreneur with a brand new start up. I am still at school and so are my developers. The thing is one of my developer left the project because he couldn't spare enough time to work on it efficiently. We are all working
fulltime in a job for the summer and part-time on the project. We spend most of our free time working on the start up to do as much as possible before the university start. We also want to keep working part-time on it during school.
Edit: We agreed to work around 5 to 10 hours every week on the project each. Some week can be less than 5 and others can be more than 10 as long as everyone reach their deadline on time. I thought this would be the fairest way to go.
My question is : Since I don't have a lot of knowledge on team management. I would like to know how could I keep everyone excited about the project and prevent them from quitting? I fear they will think they won't be able to manage their time for the project and school. Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they are really talented student/programmer. It won't be easy, of course, but I believe it's feasible.
Note : I didn't ask this question on the startup section since I think it is more related to the workplace/Team managing.
Please pardon my lack of knowledge on this subject and my English.
management team project-management time-management student
asked Jul 4 '16 at 17:14
Ein
11
closed as too broad by Chris E, Jim G., Lilienthal♦, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Rory Alsop Jul 18 '16 at 11:47
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
3
What incentive do they get by working for you(or with you) ? Do you have a good development plan and measurable milestones and did you take into account conflicting schedules of each of your team when planing the development ?
– Max
Jul 4 '16 at 18:10
Well right now they get the same reward as I get which means: the satisfaction of being part of a new and promising startup and the possibility of making money with it (There is already interest from multiple clients). We do have a development plan for which we considered the unexpected such as school project, sickness, etc.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:30
@MasterD.C Making money with it through wages or equity?
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 18:44
Sorry I should have specified. They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like the best way to go for now.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:48
Do you have downtime reserved for having fun, relaxing, enjoying the college experience etc.?
– Patricia Shanahan
Jul 4 '16 at 19:18
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
I am a young entrepreneur with a brand new start up. I am still at school and so are my developers. The thing is one of my developer left the project because he couldn't spare enough time to work on it efficiently. We are all working
fulltime in a job for the summer and part-time on the project. We spend most of our free time working on the start up to do as much as possible before the university start. We also want to keep working part-time on it during school.
Edit: We agreed to work around 5 to 10 hours every week on the project each. Some week can be less than 5 and others can be more than 10 as long as everyone reach their deadline on time. I thought this would be the fairest way to go.
My question is : Since I don't have a lot of knowledge on team management. I would like to know how could I keep everyone excited about the project and prevent them from quitting? I fear they will think they won't be able to manage their time for the project and school. Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they are really talented student/programmer. It won't be easy, of course, but I believe it's feasible.
Note : I didn't ask this question on the startup section since I think it is more related to the workplace/Team managing.
Please pardon my lack of knowledge on this subject and my English.
management team project-management time-management student
asked Jul 4 '16 at 17:14
Ein
11
I am a young entrepreneur with a brand new start up. I am still at school and so are my developers. The thing is one of my developer left the project because he couldn't spare enough time to work on it efficiently. We are all working
fulltime in a job for the summer and part-time on the project. We spend most of our free time working on the start up to do as much as possible before the university start. We also want to keep working part-time on it during school.
Edit: We agreed to work around 5 to 10 hours every week on the project each. Some week can be less than 5 and others can be more than 10 as long as everyone reach their deadline on time. I thought this would be the fairest way to go.
My question is : Since I don't have a lot of knowledge on team management. I would like to know how could I keep everyone excited about the project and prevent them from quitting? I fear they will think they won't be able to manage their time for the project and school. Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they are really talented student/programmer. It won't be easy, of course, but I believe it's feasible.
Note : I didn't ask this question on the startup section since I think it is more related to the workplace/Team managing.
Please pardon my lack of knowledge on this subject and my English.
management team project-management time-management student
asked Jul 4 '16 at 17:14
Ein
11
edited Jul 4 '16 at 19:33
asked Jul 4 '16 at 17:14
Ein
11
asked Jul 4 '16 at 17:14
Ein
11
asked Jul 4 '16 at 17:14
Ein
11
11
closed as too broad by Chris E, Jim G., Lilienthal♦, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Rory Alsop Jul 18 '16 at 11:47
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as too broad by Chris E, Jim G., Lilienthal♦, IDrinkandIKnowThings, Rory Alsop Jul 18 '16 at 11:47
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
3
What incentive do they get by working for you(or with you) ? Do you have a good development plan and measurable milestones and did you take into account conflicting schedules of each of your team when planing the development ?
– Max
Jul 4 '16 at 18:10
Well right now they get the same reward as I get which means: the satisfaction of being part of a new and promising startup and the possibility of making money with it (There is already interest from multiple clients). We do have a development plan for which we considered the unexpected such as school project, sickness, etc.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:30
@MasterD.C Making money with it through wages or equity?
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 18:44
Sorry I should have specified. They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like the best way to go for now.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:48
Do you have downtime reserved for having fun, relaxing, enjoying the college experience etc.?
– Patricia Shanahan
Jul 4 '16 at 19:18
 |Â
show 4 more comments
3
What incentive do they get by working for you(or with you) ? Do you have a good development plan and measurable milestones and did you take into account conflicting schedules of each of your team when planing the development ?
– Max
Jul 4 '16 at 18:10
Well right now they get the same reward as I get which means: the satisfaction of being part of a new and promising startup and the possibility of making money with it (There is already interest from multiple clients). We do have a development plan for which we considered the unexpected such as school project, sickness, etc.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:30
@MasterD.C Making money with it through wages or equity?
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 18:44
Sorry I should have specified. They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like the best way to go for now.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:48
Do you have downtime reserved for having fun, relaxing, enjoying the college experience etc.?
– Patricia Shanahan
Jul 4 '16 at 19:18
3
3
What incentive do they get by working for you(or with you) ? Do you have a good development plan and measurable milestones and did you take into account conflicting schedules of each of your team when planing the development ?
– Max
Jul 4 '16 at 18:10
What incentive do they get by working for you(or with you) ? Do you have a good development plan and measurable milestones and did you take into account conflicting schedules of each of your team when planing the development ?
– Max
Jul 4 '16 at 18:10
Well right now they get the same reward as I get which means: the satisfaction of being part of a new and promising startup and the possibility of making money with it (There is already interest from multiple clients). We do have a development plan for which we considered the unexpected such as school project, sickness, etc.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:30
Well right now they get the same reward as I get which means: the satisfaction of being part of a new and promising startup and the possibility of making money with it (There is already interest from multiple clients). We do have a development plan for which we considered the unexpected such as school project, sickness, etc.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:30
@MasterD.C Making money with it through wages or equity?
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 18:44
@MasterD.C Making money with it through wages or equity?
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 18:44
Sorry I should have specified. They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like the best way to go for now.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:48
Sorry I should have specified. They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like the best way to go for now.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:48
Do you have downtime reserved for having fun, relaxing, enjoying the college experience etc.?
– Patricia Shanahan
Jul 4 '16 at 19:18
Do you have downtime reserved for having fun, relaxing, enjoying the college experience etc.?
– Patricia Shanahan
Jul 4 '16 at 19:18
 |Â
show 4 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they
are really talented student/programmer.
Do you realize how clueless this sounds?
Computer Science projects in schools are usually well defined. They don't have much UI. They're nothing more than bare-bone prototypes. And even if the student doing those projects is super talented, you can rest assured that he spends way more than 10 man hours a week on them.
In any case, before you can answer your question on motivation, you'll need to read this book called Mythical Man Month.
For your partnership question, you and your potential partners will need to read this book Partnership Charter written by a mediator who knows how partnerships usually break apart, so he has some pretty good pragmatic advice on what to do before you set up a partnership.
Drafting a partnership charter will help with the motivation part as well. Not everyone has the same intent/motivation for starting a business and you'll need to find out if those motivations/goals are even compatible with each other's.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 20:40
Stephan Branczyk
11.7k62650
As a student who has worked with them for multiple projects I can assure you that UI are highly important in school projects and are in every cours I have ever taken. And about the 10 hour of work I approve that they spend more than 10 hours but the time we gave us is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. But I will go ahead and get those books thank you sir.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 21:32
I wasn't clear on the type of school you were attending. In any case, reading your other comments, I am glad that you know this kind of development work is probably going to take way more than 5 to 10 hours a week.
– Stephan Branczyk
Jul 5 '16 at 2:46
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
These people are basically volunteers, this isn't a feasible way of doing a project that takes any length of time. 5 or 10 hours a week doesn't show any commitment. It's a hobby.
Motivation is hard to achieve without discipline. You won't get that sort of commitment from school kids who aren't being paid.
You have too many people involved. You'd be better off with one person doing 20 hours, than 4 doing 5 hours. So cut it down to the really self-motivated people with a vested interest in the start up.
Keep the hierarchy as small and simple as possible. I've seen lots of startups fail just because too many fingers were in the pie, and no clear leadership.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 21:02
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
With no written agreement in place, cutting down the size of the team has potential to blow up in the OPs face unless they can agree to buy out terms with the outgoing parties.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:13
@Myles 10% of zero is zero, there's the payoff, you get nowhere in a startup if you're not ruthless enough. I know you're going to talk about legal action... but you cross that bridge when you need to, the primary concern is getting up and running and making money. Then stomping on anyone who tries to take it from you.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:21
Not thinking legal. I'm thinking trying to drop half of the group may lose you the whole group. Advertising that 10% of zero is zero will not do good things for retention of the ones you want to keep and drastically upsetting the group dynamic may have the same effect. These are college kids not seasoned professionals.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:33
1
if you lose the whole group, then they have no commitment to the project, best to find out now... but in reality you usually lose most of them before it kicks off, leaving just a couple. Most successful startups with too many people go through this. Attrition is high until things settle into efficiency.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:40
3 persons is too many? I think Myles is right cutting down the size of the team is not the best solution but giving a clear understanding of what everyone will get at the end will help. Like I said to @Stephan Branczyk the time we gave us per week is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. I already know they will do alot more than that. Giving a minimum and a maximum make is so that the person who can't give more than is the limite we gave us won't feel bad for not working as much as the other one doing 20 hours. If they do more it's their problem.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 22:07
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity
they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like
the best way to go for now.
When paying for work today with promises of tomorrow there are a couple of things to remember:
- Document and share concrete progress: Realistically they are working on something that is potentially worthless. If this thing falls apart they can't go after you for backpay like they could an employer. You need to keep their confidence high that they are going to see fruit from their labors.
- Ensure that "same work for the same amount of equity" is in fact perceived as the same work: A team member under contributing can kill morale. If I put in 100 productive hours to their 50 productive and 50 goofing around and we get the same equity I would be upset. Perception of uneven workload is bad for your team so periodically feel out for how the team is viewing each others contributions. This can be tough because not every feature is feasible so someone hitting a couple of dead ends can be seen as not contributing as much.
- Stay friends: Be sure that you are hanging out outside of work and that those hangouts don't turn into work. This strengthens the group dynamic.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 19:56
Myles
25.4k658104
We haven't really signed any contract yet on which percentage of shares everyone should have. We have verbally agreed that we should wait a bit and separate share depending on what amount of work everyone as put in ("contributions check" like ou have suggested). Is it a good idea? Should I define shares and specify that the percentage could change depending on their work ("contributions check" like ou have suggested)? I think this might be more depressing to see your share being cut down like that for the person who is working less.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 20:12
1
@MasterD.C These things should be decided in writing before people start investing significant time into it. Contribution checks can be formalized as a regular part of the process or can be an "as needed" clause but should definitely be defined in writing as early as possible. I would strongly recommend migrating this question to the Startups SE. Since you are paying in equity, the challenges for keeping this team running are quite different from a regular workplace.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 20:22
suggest improvements |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they
are really talented student/programmer.
Do you realize how clueless this sounds?
Computer Science projects in schools are usually well defined. They don't have much UI. They're nothing more than bare-bone prototypes. And even if the student doing those projects is super talented, you can rest assured that he spends way more than 10 man hours a week on them.
In any case, before you can answer your question on motivation, you'll need to read this book called Mythical Man Month.
For your partnership question, you and your potential partners will need to read this book Partnership Charter written by a mediator who knows how partnerships usually break apart, so he has some pretty good pragmatic advice on what to do before you set up a partnership.
Drafting a partnership charter will help with the motivation part as well. Not everyone has the same intent/motivation for starting a business and you'll need to find out if those motivations/goals are even compatible with each other's.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 20:40
Stephan Branczyk
11.7k62650
As a student who has worked with them for multiple projects I can assure you that UI are highly important in school projects and are in every cours I have ever taken. And about the 10 hour of work I approve that they spend more than 10 hours but the time we gave us is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. But I will go ahead and get those books thank you sir.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 21:32
I wasn't clear on the type of school you were attending. In any case, reading your other comments, I am glad that you know this kind of development work is probably going to take way more than 5 to 10 hours a week.
– Stephan Branczyk
Jul 5 '16 at 2:46
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
5
down vote
Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they
are really talented student/programmer.
Do you realize how clueless this sounds?
Computer Science projects in schools are usually well defined. They don't have much UI. They're nothing more than bare-bone prototypes. And even if the student doing those projects is super talented, you can rest assured that he spends way more than 10 man hours a week on them.
In any case, before you can answer your question on motivation, you'll need to read this book called Mythical Man Month.
For your partnership question, you and your potential partners will need to read this book Partnership Charter written by a mediator who knows how partnerships usually break apart, so he has some pretty good pragmatic advice on what to do before you set up a partnership.
Drafting a partnership charter will help with the motivation part as well. Not everyone has the same intent/motivation for starting a business and you'll need to find out if those motivations/goals are even compatible with each other's.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 20:40
Stephan Branczyk
11.7k62650
As a student who has worked with them for multiple projects I can assure you that UI are highly important in school projects and are in every cours I have ever taken. And about the 10 hour of work I approve that they spend more than 10 hours but the time we gave us is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. But I will go ahead and get those books thank you sir.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 21:32
I wasn't clear on the type of school you were attending. In any case, reading your other comments, I am glad that you know this kind of development work is probably going to take way more than 5 to 10 hours a week.
– Stephan Branczyk
Jul 5 '16 at 2:46
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they
are really talented student/programmer.
Do you realize how clueless this sounds?
Computer Science projects in schools are usually well defined. They don't have much UI. They're nothing more than bare-bone prototypes. And even if the student doing those projects is super talented, you can rest assured that he spends way more than 10 man hours a week on them.
In any case, before you can answer your question on motivation, you'll need to read this book called Mythical Man Month.
For your partnership question, you and your potential partners will need to read this book Partnership Charter written by a mediator who knows how partnerships usually break apart, so he has some pretty good pragmatic advice on what to do before you set up a partnership.
Drafting a partnership charter will help with the motivation part as well. Not everyone has the same intent/motivation for starting a business and you'll need to find out if those motivations/goals are even compatible with each other's.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 20:40
Stephan Branczyk
11.7k62650
Personally I am 100% confident they will be able to do it since they
are really talented student/programmer.
Do you realize how clueless this sounds?
Computer Science projects in schools are usually well defined. They don't have much UI. They're nothing more than bare-bone prototypes. And even if the student doing those projects is super talented, you can rest assured that he spends way more than 10 man hours a week on them.
In any case, before you can answer your question on motivation, you'll need to read this book called Mythical Man Month.
For your partnership question, you and your potential partners will need to read this book Partnership Charter written by a mediator who knows how partnerships usually break apart, so he has some pretty good pragmatic advice on what to do before you set up a partnership.
Drafting a partnership charter will help with the motivation part as well. Not everyone has the same intent/motivation for starting a business and you'll need to find out if those motivations/goals are even compatible with each other's.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 20:40
Stephan Branczyk
11.7k62650
edited Jul 4 '16 at 21:12
answered Jul 4 '16 at 20:40
Stephan Branczyk
11.7k62650
answered Jul 4 '16 at 20:40
Stephan Branczyk
11.7k62650
answered Jul 4 '16 at 20:40
Stephan Branczyk
11.7k62650
11.7k62650
As a student who has worked with them for multiple projects I can assure you that UI are highly important in school projects and are in every cours I have ever taken. And about the 10 hour of work I approve that they spend more than 10 hours but the time we gave us is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. But I will go ahead and get those books thank you sir.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 21:32
I wasn't clear on the type of school you were attending. In any case, reading your other comments, I am glad that you know this kind of development work is probably going to take way more than 5 to 10 hours a week.
– Stephan Branczyk
Jul 5 '16 at 2:46
suggest improvements |Â
As a student who has worked with them for multiple projects I can assure you that UI are highly important in school projects and are in every cours I have ever taken. And about the 10 hour of work I approve that they spend more than 10 hours but the time we gave us is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. But I will go ahead and get those books thank you sir.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 21:32
I wasn't clear on the type of school you were attending. In any case, reading your other comments, I am glad that you know this kind of development work is probably going to take way more than 5 to 10 hours a week.
– Stephan Branczyk
Jul 5 '16 at 2:46
As a student who has worked with them for multiple projects I can assure you that UI are highly important in school projects and are in every cours I have ever taken. And about the 10 hour of work I approve that they spend more than 10 hours but the time we gave us is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. But I will go ahead and get those books thank you sir.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 21:32
As a student who has worked with them for multiple projects I can assure you that UI are highly important in school projects and are in every cours I have ever taken. And about the 10 hour of work I approve that they spend more than 10 hours but the time we gave us is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. But I will go ahead and get those books thank you sir.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 21:32
I wasn't clear on the type of school you were attending. In any case, reading your other comments, I am glad that you know this kind of development work is probably going to take way more than 5 to 10 hours a week.
– Stephan Branczyk
Jul 5 '16 at 2:46
I wasn't clear on the type of school you were attending. In any case, reading your other comments, I am glad that you know this kind of development work is probably going to take way more than 5 to 10 hours a week.
– Stephan Branczyk
Jul 5 '16 at 2:46
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
These people are basically volunteers, this isn't a feasible way of doing a project that takes any length of time. 5 or 10 hours a week doesn't show any commitment. It's a hobby.
Motivation is hard to achieve without discipline. You won't get that sort of commitment from school kids who aren't being paid.
You have too many people involved. You'd be better off with one person doing 20 hours, than 4 doing 5 hours. So cut it down to the really self-motivated people with a vested interest in the start up.
Keep the hierarchy as small and simple as possible. I've seen lots of startups fail just because too many fingers were in the pie, and no clear leadership.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 21:02
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
With no written agreement in place, cutting down the size of the team has potential to blow up in the OPs face unless they can agree to buy out terms with the outgoing parties.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:13
@Myles 10% of zero is zero, there's the payoff, you get nowhere in a startup if you're not ruthless enough. I know you're going to talk about legal action... but you cross that bridge when you need to, the primary concern is getting up and running and making money. Then stomping on anyone who tries to take it from you.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:21
Not thinking legal. I'm thinking trying to drop half of the group may lose you the whole group. Advertising that 10% of zero is zero will not do good things for retention of the ones you want to keep and drastically upsetting the group dynamic may have the same effect. These are college kids not seasoned professionals.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:33
1
if you lose the whole group, then they have no commitment to the project, best to find out now... but in reality you usually lose most of them before it kicks off, leaving just a couple. Most successful startups with too many people go through this. Attrition is high until things settle into efficiency.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:40
3 persons is too many? I think Myles is right cutting down the size of the team is not the best solution but giving a clear understanding of what everyone will get at the end will help. Like I said to @Stephan Branczyk the time we gave us per week is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. I already know they will do alot more than that. Giving a minimum and a maximum make is so that the person who can't give more than is the limite we gave us won't feel bad for not working as much as the other one doing 20 hours. If they do more it's their problem.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 22:07
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
These people are basically volunteers, this isn't a feasible way of doing a project that takes any length of time. 5 or 10 hours a week doesn't show any commitment. It's a hobby.
Motivation is hard to achieve without discipline. You won't get that sort of commitment from school kids who aren't being paid.
You have too many people involved. You'd be better off with one person doing 20 hours, than 4 doing 5 hours. So cut it down to the really self-motivated people with a vested interest in the start up.
Keep the hierarchy as small and simple as possible. I've seen lots of startups fail just because too many fingers were in the pie, and no clear leadership.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 21:02
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
With no written agreement in place, cutting down the size of the team has potential to blow up in the OPs face unless they can agree to buy out terms with the outgoing parties.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:13
@Myles 10% of zero is zero, there's the payoff, you get nowhere in a startup if you're not ruthless enough. I know you're going to talk about legal action... but you cross that bridge when you need to, the primary concern is getting up and running and making money. Then stomping on anyone who tries to take it from you.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:21
Not thinking legal. I'm thinking trying to drop half of the group may lose you the whole group. Advertising that 10% of zero is zero will not do good things for retention of the ones you want to keep and drastically upsetting the group dynamic may have the same effect. These are college kids not seasoned professionals.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:33
1
if you lose the whole group, then they have no commitment to the project, best to find out now... but in reality you usually lose most of them before it kicks off, leaving just a couple. Most successful startups with too many people go through this. Attrition is high until things settle into efficiency.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:40
3 persons is too many? I think Myles is right cutting down the size of the team is not the best solution but giving a clear understanding of what everyone will get at the end will help. Like I said to @Stephan Branczyk the time we gave us per week is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. I already know they will do alot more than that. Giving a minimum and a maximum make is so that the person who can't give more than is the limite we gave us won't feel bad for not working as much as the other one doing 20 hours. If they do more it's their problem.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 22:07
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
These people are basically volunteers, this isn't a feasible way of doing a project that takes any length of time. 5 or 10 hours a week doesn't show any commitment. It's a hobby.
Motivation is hard to achieve without discipline. You won't get that sort of commitment from school kids who aren't being paid.
You have too many people involved. You'd be better off with one person doing 20 hours, than 4 doing 5 hours. So cut it down to the really self-motivated people with a vested interest in the start up.
Keep the hierarchy as small and simple as possible. I've seen lots of startups fail just because too many fingers were in the pie, and no clear leadership.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 21:02
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
These people are basically volunteers, this isn't a feasible way of doing a project that takes any length of time. 5 or 10 hours a week doesn't show any commitment. It's a hobby.
Motivation is hard to achieve without discipline. You won't get that sort of commitment from school kids who aren't being paid.
You have too many people involved. You'd be better off with one person doing 20 hours, than 4 doing 5 hours. So cut it down to the really self-motivated people with a vested interest in the start up.
Keep the hierarchy as small and simple as possible. I've seen lots of startups fail just because too many fingers were in the pie, and no clear leadership.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 21:02
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
edited Jul 4 '16 at 21:29
answered Jul 4 '16 at 21:02
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
answered Jul 4 '16 at 21:02
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
answered Jul 4 '16 at 21:02
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
94.4k50216374
With no written agreement in place, cutting down the size of the team has potential to blow up in the OPs face unless they can agree to buy out terms with the outgoing parties.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:13
@Myles 10% of zero is zero, there's the payoff, you get nowhere in a startup if you're not ruthless enough. I know you're going to talk about legal action... but you cross that bridge when you need to, the primary concern is getting up and running and making money. Then stomping on anyone who tries to take it from you.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:21
Not thinking legal. I'm thinking trying to drop half of the group may lose you the whole group. Advertising that 10% of zero is zero will not do good things for retention of the ones you want to keep and drastically upsetting the group dynamic may have the same effect. These are college kids not seasoned professionals.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:33
1
if you lose the whole group, then they have no commitment to the project, best to find out now... but in reality you usually lose most of them before it kicks off, leaving just a couple. Most successful startups with too many people go through this. Attrition is high until things settle into efficiency.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:40
3 persons is too many? I think Myles is right cutting down the size of the team is not the best solution but giving a clear understanding of what everyone will get at the end will help. Like I said to @Stephan Branczyk the time we gave us per week is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. I already know they will do alot more than that. Giving a minimum and a maximum make is so that the person who can't give more than is the limite we gave us won't feel bad for not working as much as the other one doing 20 hours. If they do more it's their problem.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 22:07
 |Â
show 2 more comments
With no written agreement in place, cutting down the size of the team has potential to blow up in the OPs face unless they can agree to buy out terms with the outgoing parties.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:13
@Myles 10% of zero is zero, there's the payoff, you get nowhere in a startup if you're not ruthless enough. I know you're going to talk about legal action... but you cross that bridge when you need to, the primary concern is getting up and running and making money. Then stomping on anyone who tries to take it from you.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:21
Not thinking legal. I'm thinking trying to drop half of the group may lose you the whole group. Advertising that 10% of zero is zero will not do good things for retention of the ones you want to keep and drastically upsetting the group dynamic may have the same effect. These are college kids not seasoned professionals.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:33
1
if you lose the whole group, then they have no commitment to the project, best to find out now... but in reality you usually lose most of them before it kicks off, leaving just a couple. Most successful startups with too many people go through this. Attrition is high until things settle into efficiency.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:40
3 persons is too many? I think Myles is right cutting down the size of the team is not the best solution but giving a clear understanding of what everyone will get at the end will help. Like I said to @Stephan Branczyk the time we gave us per week is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. I already know they will do alot more than that. Giving a minimum and a maximum make is so that the person who can't give more than is the limite we gave us won't feel bad for not working as much as the other one doing 20 hours. If they do more it's their problem.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 22:07
With no written agreement in place, cutting down the size of the team has potential to blow up in the OPs face unless they can agree to buy out terms with the outgoing parties.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:13
With no written agreement in place, cutting down the size of the team has potential to blow up in the OPs face unless they can agree to buy out terms with the outgoing parties.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:13
@Myles 10% of zero is zero, there's the payoff, you get nowhere in a startup if you're not ruthless enough. I know you're going to talk about legal action... but you cross that bridge when you need to, the primary concern is getting up and running and making money. Then stomping on anyone who tries to take it from you.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:21
@Myles 10% of zero is zero, there's the payoff, you get nowhere in a startup if you're not ruthless enough. I know you're going to talk about legal action... but you cross that bridge when you need to, the primary concern is getting up and running and making money. Then stomping on anyone who tries to take it from you.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:21
Not thinking legal. I'm thinking trying to drop half of the group may lose you the whole group. Advertising that 10% of zero is zero will not do good things for retention of the ones you want to keep and drastically upsetting the group dynamic may have the same effect. These are college kids not seasoned professionals.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:33
Not thinking legal. I'm thinking trying to drop half of the group may lose you the whole group. Advertising that 10% of zero is zero will not do good things for retention of the ones you want to keep and drastically upsetting the group dynamic may have the same effect. These are college kids not seasoned professionals.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 21:33
1
1
if you lose the whole group, then they have no commitment to the project, best to find out now... but in reality you usually lose most of them before it kicks off, leaving just a couple. Most successful startups with too many people go through this. Attrition is high until things settle into efficiency.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:40
if you lose the whole group, then they have no commitment to the project, best to find out now... but in reality you usually lose most of them before it kicks off, leaving just a couple. Most successful startups with too many people go through this. Attrition is high until things settle into efficiency.
– Kilisi
Jul 4 '16 at 21:40
3 persons is too many? I think Myles is right cutting down the size of the team is not the best solution but giving a clear understanding of what everyone will get at the end will help. Like I said to @Stephan Branczyk the time we gave us per week is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. I already know they will do alot more than that. Giving a minimum and a maximum make is so that the person who can't give more than is the limite we gave us won't feel bad for not working as much as the other one doing 20 hours. If they do more it's their problem.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 22:07
3 persons is too many? I think Myles is right cutting down the size of the team is not the best solution but giving a clear understanding of what everyone will get at the end will help. Like I said to @Stephan Branczyk the time we gave us per week is more or so a way for us to keep a constant workflow. I already know they will do alot more than that. Giving a minimum and a maximum make is so that the person who can't give more than is the limite we gave us won't feel bad for not working as much as the other one doing 20 hours. If they do more it's their problem.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 22:07
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity
they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like
the best way to go for now.
When paying for work today with promises of tomorrow there are a couple of things to remember:
- Document and share concrete progress: Realistically they are working on something that is potentially worthless. If this thing falls apart they can't go after you for backpay like they could an employer. You need to keep their confidence high that they are going to see fruit from their labors.
- Ensure that "same work for the same amount of equity" is in fact perceived as the same work: A team member under contributing can kill morale. If I put in 100 productive hours to their 50 productive and 50 goofing around and we get the same equity I would be upset. Perception of uneven workload is bad for your team so periodically feel out for how the team is viewing each others contributions. This can be tough because not every feature is feasible so someone hitting a couple of dead ends can be seen as not contributing as much.
- Stay friends: Be sure that you are hanging out outside of work and that those hangouts don't turn into work. This strengthens the group dynamic.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 19:56
Myles
25.4k658104
We haven't really signed any contract yet on which percentage of shares everyone should have. We have verbally agreed that we should wait a bit and separate share depending on what amount of work everyone as put in ("contributions check" like ou have suggested). Is it a good idea? Should I define shares and specify that the percentage could change depending on their work ("contributions check" like ou have suggested)? I think this might be more depressing to see your share being cut down like that for the person who is working less.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 20:12
1
@MasterD.C These things should be decided in writing before people start investing significant time into it. Contribution checks can be formalized as a regular part of the process or can be an "as needed" clause but should definitely be defined in writing as early as possible. I would strongly recommend migrating this question to the Startups SE. Since you are paying in equity, the challenges for keeping this team running are quite different from a regular workplace.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 20:22
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity
they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like
the best way to go for now.
When paying for work today with promises of tomorrow there are a couple of things to remember:
- Document and share concrete progress: Realistically they are working on something that is potentially worthless. If this thing falls apart they can't go after you for backpay like they could an employer. You need to keep their confidence high that they are going to see fruit from their labors.
- Ensure that "same work for the same amount of equity" is in fact perceived as the same work: A team member under contributing can kill morale. If I put in 100 productive hours to their 50 productive and 50 goofing around and we get the same equity I would be upset. Perception of uneven workload is bad for your team so periodically feel out for how the team is viewing each others contributions. This can be tough because not every feature is feasible so someone hitting a couple of dead ends can be seen as not contributing as much.
- Stay friends: Be sure that you are hanging out outside of work and that those hangouts don't turn into work. This strengthens the group dynamic.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 19:56
Myles
25.4k658104
We haven't really signed any contract yet on which percentage of shares everyone should have. We have verbally agreed that we should wait a bit and separate share depending on what amount of work everyone as put in ("contributions check" like ou have suggested). Is it a good idea? Should I define shares and specify that the percentage could change depending on their work ("contributions check" like ou have suggested)? I think this might be more depressing to see your share being cut down like that for the person who is working less.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 20:12
1
@MasterD.C These things should be decided in writing before people start investing significant time into it. Contribution checks can be formalized as a regular part of the process or can be an "as needed" clause but should definitely be defined in writing as early as possible. I would strongly recommend migrating this question to the Startups SE. Since you are paying in equity, the challenges for keeping this team running are quite different from a regular workplace.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 20:22
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity
they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like
the best way to go for now.
When paying for work today with promises of tomorrow there are a couple of things to remember:
- Document and share concrete progress: Realistically they are working on something that is potentially worthless. If this thing falls apart they can't go after you for backpay like they could an employer. You need to keep their confidence high that they are going to see fruit from their labors.
- Ensure that "same work for the same amount of equity" is in fact perceived as the same work: A team member under contributing can kill morale. If I put in 100 productive hours to their 50 productive and 50 goofing around and we get the same equity I would be upset. Perception of uneven workload is bad for your team so periodically feel out for how the team is viewing each others contributions. This can be tough because not every feature is feasible so someone hitting a couple of dead ends can be seen as not contributing as much.
- Stay friends: Be sure that you are hanging out outside of work and that those hangouts don't turn into work. This strengthens the group dynamic.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 19:56
Myles
25.4k658104
They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity
they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like
the best way to go for now.
When paying for work today with promises of tomorrow there are a couple of things to remember:
- Document and share concrete progress: Realistically they are working on something that is potentially worthless. If this thing falls apart they can't go after you for backpay like they could an employer. You need to keep their confidence high that they are going to see fruit from their labors.
- Ensure that "same work for the same amount of equity" is in fact perceived as the same work: A team member under contributing can kill morale. If I put in 100 productive hours to their 50 productive and 50 goofing around and we get the same equity I would be upset. Perception of uneven workload is bad for your team so periodically feel out for how the team is viewing each others contributions. This can be tough because not every feature is feasible so someone hitting a couple of dead ends can be seen as not contributing as much.
- Stay friends: Be sure that you are hanging out outside of work and that those hangouts don't turn into work. This strengthens the group dynamic.
answered Jul 4 '16 at 19:56
Myles
25.4k658104
answered Jul 4 '16 at 19:56
Myles
25.4k658104
answered Jul 4 '16 at 19:56
Myles
25.4k658104
answered Jul 4 '16 at 19:56
Myles
25.4k658104
25.4k658104
We haven't really signed any contract yet on which percentage of shares everyone should have. We have verbally agreed that we should wait a bit and separate share depending on what amount of work everyone as put in ("contributions check" like ou have suggested). Is it a good idea? Should I define shares and specify that the percentage could change depending on their work ("contributions check" like ou have suggested)? I think this might be more depressing to see your share being cut down like that for the person who is working less.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 20:12
1
@MasterD.C These things should be decided in writing before people start investing significant time into it. Contribution checks can be formalized as a regular part of the process or can be an "as needed" clause but should definitely be defined in writing as early as possible. I would strongly recommend migrating this question to the Startups SE. Since you are paying in equity, the challenges for keeping this team running are quite different from a regular workplace.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 20:22
suggest improvements |Â
We haven't really signed any contract yet on which percentage of shares everyone should have. We have verbally agreed that we should wait a bit and separate share depending on what amount of work everyone as put in ("contributions check" like ou have suggested). Is it a good idea? Should I define shares and specify that the percentage could change depending on their work ("contributions check" like ou have suggested)? I think this might be more depressing to see your share being cut down like that for the person who is working less.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 20:12
1
@MasterD.C These things should be decided in writing before people start investing significant time into it. Contribution checks can be formalized as a regular part of the process or can be an "as needed" clause but should definitely be defined in writing as early as possible. I would strongly recommend migrating this question to the Startups SE. Since you are paying in equity, the challenges for keeping this team running are quite different from a regular workplace.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 20:22
We haven't really signed any contract yet on which percentage of shares everyone should have. We have verbally agreed that we should wait a bit and separate share depending on what amount of work everyone as put in ("contributions check" like ou have suggested). Is it a good idea? Should I define shares and specify that the percentage could change depending on their work ("contributions check" like ou have suggested)? I think this might be more depressing to see your share being cut down like that for the person who is working less.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 20:12
We haven't really signed any contract yet on which percentage of shares everyone should have. We have verbally agreed that we should wait a bit and separate share depending on what amount of work everyone as put in ("contributions check" like ou have suggested). Is it a good idea? Should I define shares and specify that the percentage could change depending on their work ("contributions check" like ou have suggested)? I think this might be more depressing to see your share being cut down like that for the person who is working less.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 20:12
1
1
@MasterD.C These things should be decided in writing before people start investing significant time into it. Contribution checks can be formalized as a regular part of the process or can be an "as needed" clause but should definitely be defined in writing as early as possible. I would strongly recommend migrating this question to the Startups SE. Since you are paying in equity, the challenges for keeping this team running are quite different from a regular workplace.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 20:22
@MasterD.C These things should be decided in writing before people start investing significant time into it. Contribution checks can be formalized as a regular part of the process or can be an "as needed" clause but should definitely be defined in writing as early as possible. I would strongly recommend migrating this question to the Startups SE. Since you are paying in equity, the challenges for keeping this team running are quite different from a regular workplace.
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 20:22
suggest improvements |Â
3
What incentive do they get by working for you(or with you) ? Do you have a good development plan and measurable milestones and did you take into account conflicting schedules of each of your team when planing the development ?
– Max
Jul 4 '16 at 18:10
Well right now they get the same reward as I get which means: the satisfaction of being part of a new and promising startup and the possibility of making money with it (There is already interest from multiple clients). We do have a development plan for which we considered the unexpected such as school project, sickness, etc.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:30
@MasterD.C Making money with it through wages or equity?
– Myles
Jul 4 '16 at 18:44
Sorry I should have specified. They would get equity and money relatively to the amount of equity they have. Since we all do pretty much the same work this looks like the best way to go for now.
– Ein
Jul 4 '16 at 18:48
Do you have downtime reserved for having fun, relaxing, enjoying the college experience etc.?
– Patricia Shanahan
Jul 4 '16 at 19:18