Working For A Virtual Company - How we do it at MySQL

Working for a Virtual CompanyWorking for a Virtual CompanyHow we do it at MySQLHow we do it at MySQL

Lenz Grimmer <Lenz Grimmer <lenz@grimmer.com>>

http://lenzg.net/

2009-08-22 | FrOSCon 09 | St. Augustin2009-08-22 | FrOSCon 09 | St. Augustin

David & MontyDavid & Monty

© 2005 by Duncan Davidson -© 2005 by Duncan Davidson - http://www.flickr.com/photos/x180/9970707/

Make Superior Database Make Superior Database Management Available and Management Available and

Affordable to All.Affordable to All.

MySQL AB, Jan 2008MySQL AB, Jan 2008

Distributed WorkforceDistributed Workforce● Establish early!Establish early!● Good: Development & SupportGood: Development & Support● Good: Consulting & TrainingGood: Consulting & Training● Good: SalesGood: Sales● Less suitable: Finance & AdminLess suitable: Finance & Admin● Needs capable HR staffNeeds capable HR staff

Centralized managementCentralized management

Passion and DisagreementPassion and Disagreement

Other Social AspectsOther Social Aspects● TrustTrust● Self-motivationSelf-motivation● LeadershipLeadership● Open & direct communicationOpen & direct communication● Different culturesDifferent cultures● Work/life balanceWork/life balance

AdvantagesAdvantages● Hire talent everywhereHire talent everywhere● Work from anywhereWork from anywhere● Setting your own work scheduleSetting your own work schedule● Reduced costs for facilitiesReduced costs for facilities● Time zone coverageTime zone coverage● Less distractionsLess distractions

DisadvantagesDisadvantages● Work/life balanceWork/life balance● IsolationIsolation● Time zone differencesTime zone differences● Communication overheadCommunication overhead● Decision making processesDecision making processes

Disadvantages: TravelDisadvantages: Travel● Meeting colleagues means travelling (a lot)Meeting colleagues means travelling (a lot)● Travel restrictions (e.g. Visa issues)Travel restrictions (e.g. Visa issues)

Personal RequirementsPersonal Requirements● SkillsSkills

● CommunicationCommunication● Language (English)Language (English)● System administrationSystem administration

● MotivationMotivation● Working in isolationWorking in isolation● OSS development experience helps!OSS development experience helps!

Work environmentWork environment● Separate office roomSeparate office room● Hardware budgetHardware budget● Fast/reliable Internet connectionFast/reliable Internet connection● Platform-neutral formats/protocolsPlatform-neutral formats/protocols

Activities & IncentivesActivities & Incentives

Activities & IncentivesActivities & Incentives● All-company meetingsAll-company meetings● Team meetingsTeam meetings● Travel budgetTravel budget● Life@ MailinglistLife@ Mailinglist● Global sports dayGlobal sports day● Global culture dayGlobal culture day

Collaboration ToolsCollaboration Tools

● Email / Mailing lists / ArchivesEmail / Mailing lists / Archives● Intranet / Wiki (Mediawiki)Intranet / Wiki (Mediawiki)● IRC / Chat (AIM, ICQ, Jabber, etc.)IRC / Chat (AIM, ICQ, Jabber, etc.)● Skype / VoIP (Asterisk)Skype / VoIP (Asterisk)● Conference callsConference calls● Issue Trackers (Eventum, BugDB, Worklog)Issue Trackers (Eventum, BugDB, Worklog)● DVCS (Bazaar)DVCS (Bazaar)

Thank you!Thank you!

Lenz GrimmerLenz Grimmer<lenz@grimmer.com>

http://lenzg.net/

Questions / DiscussionQuestions / Discussion

MySQL AB, Jan 2008MySQL AB, Jan 2008● ~400 Employees, ~70% work from home~400 Employees, ~70% work from home● >25 Countries>25 Countries● Top 5: USA, Sweden, Germany, Russia and Top 5: USA, Sweden, Germany, Russia and

IrelandIreland● 10 subsidiaries/offices10 subsidiaries/offices

(Uppsala, Cupertino, Munich)(Uppsala, Cupertino, Munich)● No change due to Sun acquisitionNo change due to Sun acquisition