BizDev people do have a function at hackathons

charlottehan.com

9 points·dirkdk··3 comments

I think a telling part of this post is where she almost expresses surprise that people were staying up all night to hack. I think that explains a big part of why biz-dev people are sometimes seen as 2nd rate citizens.

I have some good friends on the sales side of things and they invariably leave the office at 6 and do fun activities, go to the bar etc. They seem quite puzzled that I would turn down invitations to go out in favor of learning new skills and building cool stuff.

In a business that's all about building and shipping products no matter what it takes, and at an event that is about shipping products in a very short time, it is not surprising that a biz dev person would be seen as somewhat superfluous. I'm sure the engineers at the hackathon were quite happy to have her make a powerpoint and get some beers though.

Point taken, although I think a telling part of this comment is where you think I'd be getting beers for engineers. I shouldn't have to tell you how that makes you look.

yeah. I was one of the persons that rested (no real sleep) for 4 hours instead of going home. I still think it is crazy, but seeing half the people do it makes it competitive and therefore you want to stay up too. Apart from students I don't know any professional group that is crazy enough to do that, you?

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