<story><title>37signals Earns Millions Each Year. Its CEO’s Model? His Cleaning Lady</title><url>http://www.fastcompany.com/3000852/37signals-earns-millions-each-year-its-ceo%E2%80%99s-model-his-cleaning-lady</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>whalesalad</author><text>&quot;I won’t name names. I used to name names. But I think all you have to do is read TechCrunch. Look at what the top stories are, and they’re all about raising money, how many employees they have, and these are metrics that don’t matter. What matters is: Are you profitable? Are you building something great? Are you taking care of your people? Are you treating your customers well? In the coverage of our industry as a whole, you’ll rarely see stories about treating customers well, about people building a sustainable business. TechCrunch to me is the great place to look to see the sickness in our industry right now.&quot;&lt;p&gt;I love this quote. It reflects my sentiments to a T.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>pg</author><text>The reason the press writes about funding rather than revenues is not some kind of conspiracy to focus on the wrong things, but simply because reporters know about funding rounds and not about revenues.&lt;p&gt;It&apos;s clear that the press would write about revenues if they could, because they write a lot about the revenues of public companies.  They&apos;re able to do that because public companies have to disclose their revenues.&lt;p&gt;Private companies never publish their revenues.  Including 37signals.  So if Jason really believes this is a terrible problem and wants to set things on the right course, he should set an example and start publishing 37signals&apos; revenue numbers.</text></comment>
<story><title>37signals Earns Millions Each Year. Its CEO’s Model? His Cleaning Lady</title><url>http://www.fastcompany.com/3000852/37signals-earns-millions-each-year-its-ceo%E2%80%99s-model-his-cleaning-lady</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>whalesalad</author><text>&quot;I won’t name names. I used to name names. But I think all you have to do is read TechCrunch. Look at what the top stories are, and they’re all about raising money, how many employees they have, and these are metrics that don’t matter. What matters is: Are you profitable? Are you building something great? Are you taking care of your people? Are you treating your customers well? In the coverage of our industry as a whole, you’ll rarely see stories about treating customers well, about people building a sustainable business. TechCrunch to me is the great place to look to see the sickness in our industry right now.&quot;&lt;p&gt;I love this quote. It reflects my sentiments to a T.</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>wamatt</author><text>Jason Fried&apos;s article feels a bit preachy TBH, and the last paragraph about the cleaning lady being so awesome, seems rather cliched/trite.&lt;p&gt;I&apos;m sure he&apos;s trying to tell us he values the little-guy/gal. Great!, we do too, but then don&apos;t pretend her job is more exciting than a whole industry, and you&apos;re just sitting around in gushy anticipation of your fresh flowers. ugh :p&lt;p&gt;Also, painting the valley as &quot;sick&quot; and &quot;disgusting&quot;, feels one sided.&lt;p&gt;Sure there are problems with some startups being over-hyped, but bubble or not, companies are getting real shit done here, and it&apos;s pretty unique place, simply in terms of raw tech innovation density. Giving credit where due, doesn&apos;t need to take away from all the rest of the good stuff that goes on elsewhere in the world too, like at 37 Signals, Chicago IL.</text></comment>