Solve Problems Like An Engineer
When you build a company, what you’re really building is a system. A system of inputs and outputs, stocks and flows. And if you play your cards right, that system will…
Essay
Forget Unicorns. Think Like A Camel.
Being a unicorn is all fun and games, until the money dries up. And right now, we’re in a drought. This topic came up several times during my meetings at…
30 Questions To Build A Better Game Company
If I asked you, right now, “Tell me about your company’s performance level. How well are you running things?”, would you have any idea how to answer? And if I…
The Perfect Management Meeting (Includes Pizza)
Are you dreading your weekly management meetings? If so, you’re not the only one. But the good news is that there’s an alternative. Try my ideal agenda for making it…
The Best Business Videos in the GDC Vault
Incredible knowledge and insights are everywhere, if you know where to look. One of my favorite ways of learning about the practice of studio management and leadership in the games…
The Missing Leadership Element (is Self-Awareness)
Today I want to share the video of the talk I gave at last year’s Reboot Blue conference, as well as last month’s Nordic Game. In the talk, I explain…
Company management for indies (by way of Pokémon)
After more than 13 years in the games industry, I’ve come to believe that most indie companies are more like project groups than they are actual companies: You’re a small group…
Is an MBA worth the time, money and effort?
Numerous people have asked if me if getting an MBA was worth it. The short answer is: yes, I feel like getting an MBA was very much worth it. But…
A Videogame MBA In 12 Books
When I was 31, I enrolled in an MBA program at one of the Netherlands top business schools to learn more about executive level management. It was an incredibly rewarding…
Why You Should Find A Sparring Partner
Imagine that you’re facing a critical decision that will impact the future of your company, like the choice between bootstrapping your next game or taking on investors. You’ve discussed the…