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by mikeryan 4504 days ago
This is really one of those things that look, in principal, to be a simple fix. "Why are our employees not eating our own dog food".

The part he's missing is the question, "Why aren't our employees so passionate about our product that they use it constantly in an effort to make it better?".

He's missing a deeper morale issue, and compounding it with his attitude.

2 comments

It could be that, or they have seen the sausage being made and are steering clear of it.
Well, I give my boss the ability to deposit money into my account. I would not willingly give my boss the ability to withdraw money from my account. I think that would explain a lot of the trepidation.
PayPal's mobile payment strategy is incredibly important to PayPal's future.

Here's the quote specific to the "use our own app":

"It’s been brought to my attention that when testing paying with mobile at Cafe 17 last week, some of you refused to install the PayPal app. . . everyone at PayPal should use our products. . . That’s the only way we can make them better, and better."

He's asking employees to use the new app to help beta test on the PayPal campus. (1)

So that he, and the team responsible, can improve the product to win.

He gives a few illustrations of high-morale employees "hacking coke machines" etc.

And then closes by saying "If you are one of the folks that refused . . . go find something that will connect with your heart and mind elsewhere"

I get that the tone is passionate and angry.

But I feel like there's a balance that needs to be struck vs. your comment.

Sometimes "morale" issues can be improved by letting people who are too far checked out go their own way.

(1) Cafe 17 is in the PayPal HQ (1) https://www.facebook.com/events/181056035410307/?ref=22

It’s been brought to my attention that when testing paying with mobile at Cafe 17 last week, some of you refused to install the PayPal app

If that's not an unmissable sign that you're doing something wrong, I don't know what is.

I don't understand how the response of any rational manager to that news could be anything but "Why, and how do we fix it?".