TrashTalk

 In cooperation with Business (bosses, marketing and salespeople, clients ...) I often are confronted with the same ultimate arguments. Here I try to summarise them and make same conclusions.


Trashtalk #1: This is a business need!
Context: I usually hear this when we should launch a non planned product or function.
Hidden message: We are the creative people who keep the company running and you are holding us back! You are to blame that we are behind our targets.
The truth: Planning is to tedious for some people so they have the method of just spreading products and ideas to show they competence while don't bother involving others not to mention project planning. This also often means they are looking for a scapegoat in advance... they did everything all right, but the programmers...
Solution:

1. Let them: Sometimes it's a bluff. In that case simple saying yes is the best solution.
2. Plan: You can plan your projects carefully and envolve business early. This way you can educate them to be more cooperative. 
3. Show the money: a clear business case can show a real business need. 
4. Confront: It can hardly be avoided, but it needs a consequent behaviour.You should tell what is possible and what is not and then do everything in your power to keep your word.

Trashtalk #2: No priorities, everything is important!
Context:  It's often told when IT tries to decide which development task or product do first.
Hidden message: We know what we are doing, everything is planned, nothing we do is unimportant..
The truth: Lack of trust. Business is afraid that projects with lower priority will automatically be abandoned or neglected.

Solution:

1. Set your own priorities: You can't to several things at once so you have to prioritise anyway. Do what you think is the best for the business and you.
2. Explain: It's so simple but anyway I'm having difficulties to explaining it.

Trashtalk #3: I can hire a guy on the street who does for half a many!
Context:  When it's about cost..

Hidden message: You are incompetent.
The truth: Some really believe it, for others it is a good argument.
Solution:

1. Let them: They have a good chance for disaster just be careful that not you have to clear the mess and solve it at the end. Let the fail. If they don't fail, then you are really less competent. Trust yourself and be honest.
   
2. Explain: How would you behave as a third party vendor in such a situation? Explain it to the business people.

Trashtalk #4: If you really try you can do it in half of the time!
Context:  This is a classic.

Hidden message:Hope that you would yield to the pressure.
The truth: IT guys are a bit vulnerable: the try to achieve whatever is asked of them and most work hard only if there is pressure.
Solution:

1. Keep your word:  Make reliable estimations, don't yield to pressure and keep your word under any circumstances.