Seeking advice from programmers for non-programmers
fizx: - How do software engineers perceive business types?Business types are people.  I evaluate on character plus effectiveness. When forming an opinion, I generally look at their past success, their history of screwing people over (or not), and their smarmyness (or not), as well as their ability to communicate.- How do they come to respect or disrespect someone in this role?See above.- How can I best approach a software engineer with an idea?With a referral and/or some demonstrated way that you've done a ton of homework, and you understand what you're getting into.Also, please demonstrate respect and partnership.  "We need a coder for this", while not overtly disrespectful, implies that you see your technical partners job as one-dimensional.- What can a business type do to build trust with a programmer?Good referrals, pay invoices ahead of schedule, don't change  scope often or arbitrarily.- Horror stories or success stories about these two worlds coming together in startup glory or catastropheRather not share right now.- What motivates programmers? Success? Personal fulfillment? Money?Some combination.  I think most of us need adequate levels of all of the above, with one factor we can point to as being excellent.- What do programmers think motivates business types?Money, ego.