Tag: BookofRedgate

Redgate has been known for many useful tools that are easy to use. We’ve tried to do that in all our point tools. We talk about simplicity all the time and when we release something that isn’t simple, lots of people question why.

Perhaps not enough or with enough pushback, but we do talk about simplicity.

One of the pages in the book was devoted to merely expressing ingeniously simple. It’s written in a number of languages.

The goal of ingenious simplicity is to build things that people can use without resorting to complex manuals and example code. SQL Compare is a great example of this. Enter a few database connections and click Compare and you get an easy report. There’s a big Deploy button on top to help you sync your databases.

I think we’ve done a good job of building some simple tools over the years. Perhaps now we’re in a more complex environment, but we are trying to keep things simple and provide clues to help users understand how the tools work.

I have a copy of the Book of Redgate from 2010. This was a book we produced internally about the company after 10 years in existence. At that time, I’d been there for about 3 years, and it was interesting to learn a some things about the company. This series of posts looks back at the Book of Redgate 15 years later.

One of our mission statements in the Book of Redgate says: attempt to do the best work of your life.

I’d like to think that at most points in time, people are trying to go good work. There are always times when you are distracted, ill, new child, etc. However, doing the best work of your life? Do you think you are always doing the “best work” at a new place? Or being the best version of yourself at this current position?

I think I am, and this is a good reminder to strive for being the best you can be at that point in time.

The text alongside this value is: We’d like you to achieve your own greatness and to be all that you can be. We’ll try hard to allow that to happen and we’d like you to try hard too.

That’s comforting and inspiring. I do think we try to allow people to grow and achieve things. It’s a nice environment.

I have a copy of the Book of Redgate from 2010. This was a book we produced internally about the company after 10 years in existence. At that time, I’d been there for about 3 years, and it was interesting to learn a some things about the company. This series of posts looks back at the Book of Redgate 15 years later.

Many organizations list customer testimonials and quotes on their websites or literature. It makes sense to show off those places where you’ve done well in hopes of influencing others to do business with you. We seek this out, and while we get a lot at Redgate, they take effort to put together.

I was surprised to find some of these in the Book of Redgate. After all, this was an internal publication for the employees. We don’t need customer referrals.

And yet, seeing these quotes brings me some pride. I’d hope most employees felt that way, but here are a few samples:

“I raised an issue with Redgate regarding functionality in their SQL Compare product … and a couple of months later the items identified had been rewritten”

“Whenever I show people any Redgate software, it’s like they just escaped from communist Russia and have a new life to live.”

“SQL Data Generator has overnight become the principal tool we use for loading test data to run our performance and load tests”

That last one is from Grant, before he joined us as an employee.

There are many more, and I recently saw a large spreadsheet of quotes from customers that we can use externally. It’s amazing how many people love our tools and have benefitted from them.

It’s nice to work in a successful and profitable business, but it’s really motivating when so many of our customers appreciate what we do.

I have a copy of the Book of Redgate from 2010. This was a book we produced internally about the company after 10 years in existence. At that time, I’d been there for about 3 years, and it was interesting to learn a some things about the company. This series of posts looks back at the Book of Redgate 15 years later.

As a part of the Book of Redgate, we have a series of (red, of course) pages with the title “What we believe”. These are our values, as set up by the founders. The first one of these is:

You will be reasonable with us

We will be reasonable with you

Two simple sentences, but they really encapsulate how we try to work together. We know there are stressful times, there are hard times, and while we all want to follow the golden rule (treat others as you would want to be treated), we sometimes fail. However, we try to be reasonable with each other.

If I ask for something, others should try to accommodate me. If I ask for too much, and they tell me that, I should try understand that. Being reasonable is having sound judgment, being fair and sensible, not being extreme.

We try to get along with others. Some good examples of this are us setting normal working hours, but being willing to flex with others. If someone goes above and beyond, we recognize that and perhaps go out of our way to make it up to them.

One example of this stands out in my mind. At our annual company meeting our CEO told a story of a deal that they were trying to close during the year. A crucial part of this deal was one employee, who had scheduled a holiday previously. As the deal was getting close, and in danger of problems, this employee came off vacation to help finish something. Our CEO not only recognized this, but personally thanked them in front of the company, gave them more holiday to make up for it and sent a gift.

We are reasonable with each other, all of us being willing to bend and flex, but not abusing that willingness.

Just like a family does with each other. At least, my family does.

I have a copy of the Book of Redgate from 2010. This was a book we produced internally about the company after 10 years in existence. At that time, I’d been there for about 3 years, and it was interesting to learn a some things about the company. This series of posts looks back at the Book of Redgate 15 years later.