HN user
37 Signals can do what they want because their product is so good. Look, I'm not a fanboy by any stretch, I'm not even a subscriber (yet), but I've been testing the new Basecamp and it is excellent. There is nothing else that comes close. I've tried many so called alternatives.
Why is that? How come only 37 Signals gets it so right but nobody else can?
Reminds me of when I did the Rejection Therapy challenge[1] (the game forces you to interact with strangers and get rejected). The trick for me was to try and find context in the situation - a shared experience we could both relate to that was non personal.
For example, if it's in line at a grocery store, I'd make a joke about the trash tabloids that are set up as an impulse buy. It's a safe way to start a convo, and a lot more natural sounding.
I'll assume you already did step 0 that Patio11 described, and they haven't paid you and aren't returning your calls.
I've been down this road so I completely empathize with you. I can also say that I have always been paid in the end. My advice is good.
Go to the employer (where the office is) and ask for payment in full. You need to be extremely clear. Do not say please or thank you. Look them square in the eye. Channel Clint Eastwood if it helps.
Do not call in advance. Wait in the lobby if the person who hands you the cheque isn't there or in a meeting. If the secretary says he/she won't be back until Tuesday, return on Tuesday and again demand payment in full.
Be firm and respectful but not polite. If they continue to evade you, call and email them stating that if you are not paid in 24 hours (no longer) that "x" will happen. You decide what "x" is. Usually I promise to report them to the Better Business Bureau and/or take down their website if its on my server. Stuff like that. Never, promise something you won't go through with.
The last step is small claims court. Hopefully it doesn't get to that. I suggest you do this yourself and not consult a lawyer until you really need one.
As a single dad myself, I'm rooting for the guy. This is a great opportunity and I'm glad Techcrunch is picking up on the story. Hopefully this happens for him.
I had the similar thought that animals tend to be more empathetic and forgiving than humans. On many occasions I've seen my cats console each other. They have consoled me too.
The way us humans destroy the environment and wildlife with pollution, deforestation and urban sprawl, it's obvious we are unconsciously living out our nightmare on a global scale.
It's a mindset that may (or may not) be prevelant in Canada, and it looks like a heckuva interesting book, so I see lots of value in his comment.
RIM says they're going to launch next year, when the iPhone 5 launches, but I think it's a stalling tactic. They surely don't want BB10 going up against Apple's 5 and still looking inadaquate.
Unless someone buys RIM, it's dead man walking, and they know it.
Facebook is the new television.
Facebook's new massive email list is another thing to segment and sell off to advertisers, and another way to make money from its users.
I can also see partnerships with anti-spam and anti-virus companies. Maybe users will need to subscribe to these in order to maintain a sane inbox (and FB will get a slice of that revenue, natch).
Sounds like the "academic edition" of the Rejection Therapy game: http://rejectiontherapy.com
But on a more serious note, Mark reframed his rejections into a positive learning opportunity for many people. Thanks for doing this Mark.
Ah, double stealth. I've been in that mode for awhile (except I call it "languishing").