Recruiting the Top 1 Percent
There's a better way to find and hire the very best employees. Read story
CEO OF FOG CREEK SOFTWARE 
Let's Take This Offline
A decade ago, I started Joel on Software, a blog that put my company on the map. But as the business matures, I've come to realize that blogging is holding m... Read story
A Little Less Conversation
Have you ever invited employees to a meeting just so they wouldn't feel left out? If so, you may be an overcommunicator. Read story
The Best Books for Business Owners of 2009
A look at the most helpful, interesting, and entertaining business books of 2009, including the latest from Jim Collins, Malcolm Gladwell, and Tim Brown of I... View slideshow
When and How to Micromanage
Managers today are taught not to micromanage their employees. But there comes a time in every business when you need to step in and master the details. Read story
Does Slow Growth Equal Slow Death?
I always thought that expanding my business at a steady pace was a smart move. Now I worry that it could potentially kill us Read story
Joel Spolsky: Setting the Right Priorities
Strong problem-solving skills are important in business. Knowing which problems you absolutely must solve is even more important Read story
Joel Spolsky: The Day My Industry Died
A decade ago, everybody was starting a Web consulting business, so I did too. Then, one day, the industry died. Does that sound familiar? Read story
Joel Spolsky: A Visit to Microsoft and Google
Back-to-back trips to Microsoft and Google remind me just how smart these guys are -- and just how much I love running a small company Read story
Why Circuit City Failed, and Why B&H Thrives
Many companies that have gone bust didn't die because of the recession. They failed for one reason: They treated customers poorly Read story
Why I Never Let Employees Negotiate a Raise
At Fog Creek Software, every worker at the same level is paid the same salary. And when one gets a raise, they all do Read story
How Hard Could It Be?: Start-up Static
A new business is like a shortwave radio. You have to fiddle patiently with all the dials until you get the reception you want Read story
Thanks or No Thanks
A young employee came up with an idea that added a million dollars to our bottom line. How do we reward him for the contribution? Do we even have to? Read story
My Style of Servant Leadership
Don't bother me, because I'm in the middle of my most important task as CEO -- hanging window blinds. Read story
The Unproven Path
I have some ironclad rules for starting a technology venture. I broke a bunch of them when I started my latest technology venture. Read story
Sins of Commissions
Employees will always game incentive plans -- because the geniuses who design them don't anticipate how employees will respond. Read story
How I Learned to Love Middle Managers
I hoped to create a utopian workplace. Instead, I caused an employee revolt. Read story
Good System, Bad System
Starbucks' meticulous policy manual shows employees how to optimize profits. Too bad it undercuts basic customer service. Read story
Glory Days
As Bill Gates retires, our columnist recalls what it was like to work for the world's most successful entrepreneur Read story
Adventures in Office Space
I just wrote a check for $215,481.75. And that was only a deposit. Read story
Joel Spolsky's Tips on Finding an Office
1. Don't get lazy. Keep looking even while negotiating for that perfect space you found. With a credible alternative, you can drive... Read story
A Real Cool Customer
Consumer-oriented start-ups get a lot of buzz. But you can make more money selling stuff to humble cube dwellers. Read story
Fire and Motion
I’ve read a ton of books on competition and strategy, and none of them are as useful as this one simple concept. Read story
Fire and Motion
I’ve read a ton of books on competition and strategy, and none of them are as useful as this one simple concept. Read story
Lessons I Learned in the Army
A general's pep talk taught me that a leader can't lose sight of what it means to be a grunt. Read story
Inspired Misfires
Why the most important innovations are often those that appear to be fatally flawed. Read story
The Four Pillars of Organic Growth
Revenue, head count, PR, and quality--if one gets ahead of the others, you're screwed. Read story
How to Budget a Road Show
Expenses per city Read story
Joel Spolsky's Travel Survival Guide
Website Bonus #1: Air Travel Tips To avoid the risk of air travel delays, we used five tactics. We waited unt... Read story
Adventures in Software Demo’ing - Fog Creek Software - Fog Bugz - Buying New Technology
Why I decided to take my product to 34 cities, from L.A. to Amsterdam. Read story
Adventures in Software Demo’ing
Why I decided to take my product to 34 cities, from L.A. to Amsterdam. Read story
How to Budget a Road Show
Expenses per city Read story
Five Easy Ways to Fail
Nothing like a weak team or an unrealistic schedule to start a project off right Read story
Unfocused and Unabashed
A side project threatens to get totally out of control and I think, "How fun!" Read story
Joel Spolsky’s Favorite Project-Management Books
Mistake 1: Hire the best! Spolsky, Joel: Smart and Gets Things Done: Joel Spolsky's Concise Guide to Finding the Best Technical Tal... Read story
