Where Would You Rather Work? Google, Pixar, Amazon, Yahoo, or Microsoft?

[Aaron Stanton]

The trip to San Francisco has been eating up my time, so I'm going to keep this post short.  Aside from the fact that Chris Moore wasn't able to sign a copy of his book (that's a longer story that I'll cover when I get back), the trip has gone very well.  There was a bit of trouble with my bags on the flight, and I ended up in San Francisco with no luggage, clothes, or presentation, but those problems didn't slow things down much.  The talk at Stanford was enjoyable (for me at least), and the conversation during and in the hours afterward were certainly worth the experience.  I can now claim that Stanford University has bought me dinner as a guest, which - let's face it - is pretty cool.

The meetings that followed the next day also went well.  We connected with some angel investors/family and friends and arranged for bridge money in the event that it's needed.  Bridge money is generally a small investment designed to bridge between start-up and funded and/or profitable.  While it's not a significant amount - comparatively to what we'll ultimately be looking for - it does allow a bit more breathing room.

My father and Uncle flew in to meet me in that regard, and we followed that up with a visit to Pixar Animation, courtesy of Reid (I mentioned him a few blog posts back).  Having visited and dined now at the campuses of Apple, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, and Pixar, I have to admit that Pixar qualifies at the top for me.  There's a slightly different flavor to their creativity than at, say, Google.  I think the connection I felt to the Pixar campus comes from their final products - they're the creators of fictional worlds and fairy tales.  As someone that's grown up wanting to be a storyteller, there's something inspiring about seeing the labor of 200+ people go into a single storytelling project that's different than seeing 200+ people put their hearts into a search engine.

Both are neat, but my own interests draw me to one over the other.  Pixar was very cool, and you can see the photos from there.

Tomorrow morning I get on a plane and fly to Seattle for a sit down with Amazon.  Certainly, their position as a book retailer and as a significant player in using technology to push the envelope of the publishing industry makes them very much worth talking to.

I think - as I've thought from the beginning - that there are many areas where development of interesting technologies offer mutually beneficial ground.

And on the 19th, a few days after I get back from Seattle, we have a general progress presentation to some movers and shakers in the Boise area.  Originally it was supposed to be before I left, but schedules conflicted.

Oh, and did I remember to mention that the mayor of one of Boise's neighboring cities invited us for a chat after we co-won the Idaho Innovation Award?  Most likely it's just a standard congratulations, true, but you're talking to a guy that buys $1 sundaes from McDonald's at the slightest sign of good news.  Celebrate everything. 

Oh, and regarding the photo below where I'm getting punched... I was told that everyone has to pose in front of the Incredibles statue, so I posed.  Keep in mind: no luggage = no shaving. 

[Stephen Rollins]

No luggage?  Well, that's airports for you... XD  Good job not letting it slow you down.

It's exciting to see BookLamp putting its name out there like this.  Not many people can say they've visited Google, Amazon (soon, anyways!), Yahoo, Pixar, Microsoft, and all the other places you've gone to.

Good luck with your visit to Amazon tomorrow.    Thanks for keeping us posted!

[Daniel Bowen]

I'll double that wish of luck... so good luck Aaron!

[Jo Red]

My father and Uncle flew in to meet me in that regard, and we followed that up with a visit to Pixar Animation, courtesy of Reid (I mentioned him a few blog posts back).  Having visited and dined now at the campuses of Apple, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, and Pixar, I have to admit that Pixar qualifies at the top for me.  There's a slightly different flavor to their creativity than at, say, Google.  I think the connection I felt to the Pixar campus comes from their final products - they're the creators of fictional worlds and fairy tales.  As someone that's grown up wanting to be a storyteller, there's something inspiring about seeing the labor of 200+ people go into a single storytelling project that's different than seeing 200+ people put their hearts into a search engine.

Where would I rather work ?  Google, Pixar, Amazon, Yahoo or Microsoft ?  I don't fancy peanuts that much, so I'd work for the highest bidder of couse ;-)

Cheers
Jo

[Daniel Bowen]

I think Aaron's sayin he places a lot of value on the atmosphere at Pixar, which would could allow the possibility to work there for "less".

ciao

[Therin]

I agree with Daniel.  There's more to a job than money, plus I think the newer generation of workers places just as much weight on non-financial benefits as financial ones.  My employer, for instance, offers pilates during lunchtime and has a wonderful education policy (they're paying for a large percentage of my current course) that I found highly attractive when seeking work.

Plus the atmosphere is great - there's nothing like working with bad people to make you hate your job and at that point no amount of money is worth it.  Trust me I know.    

[Paul Kreiner]

I'm okay with working for less.  I was in a situation where I was making quite a bit of money (the most I've ever made in my life), but my heart wasn't in it.  The people were OK, but I literally dreaded coming to work every day.  After a few months I couldn't take it anymore, and I had to leave.  Despite the uncertainties it placed in front of me, that was one of the best days of my life.  I was grinning from ear to ear the last time I drove out of that parking garage.

That said, I think Pixar gets my vote.  There's something about having a final, finished product with a definite end date that is attractive.  Of course the fact that it's an entertainment product that will be enjoyed by 100s of millions of people worldwide (and I would get to say I was part of making it) helps.

[Daniel Bowen]

I'd like to work at Amazon so that I could just say "Alright BookLamp... What do you need?" and, problem solved - well at least a couple.
 
That's a joke.

[Stephen Rollins]

Personally, I'm not sure that I'd choose any of the above corporations to work at.  Though Pixar would be cool because I've thought it would be neat to work with computer animation...  Even if it's not for a movie.  Though I doubt I'd ever qualify to work there. XD

[Jo Red]

Maybe Aaron should add McDonalds to the list  :-)

[Daniel Bowen]

That's just malicious, jo, and doesn't make any sense but as an incredulous joke... sounds like you're speaking from experience.

[Jo Red]

That's just malicious, jo, and doesn't make any sense but as an incredulous joke... sounds like you're speaking from experience.

Well he always mentions about their sundaes whenever he needs to celebrate about something.

[Daniel Bowen]

... so a different context.  I get ya now jo.  No worries