Jeff Hayes just wrote a nice post about hiring and retaining “Millenials,” those workers aged 18-30 (whew, that includes me just barely!). I like what he says, and I really think you can make some relatively small expenses to really keep employees happy and productive. I know Joel Spolsky advocates doing the little things to create a good working atmosphere. Dotcom excess is typified by $900 Aeron chairs, but is $900 really all that bad compared to the productivity that can be gained from a developer paid $70,000 a year? Perspective…
I would also add that people myself and younger really do use the Internet as an integral part of our social lives. This means those of us geeks who work in technology have very blurred lines when it comes to work and home life. I’m on a computer at work, I’m on one at home. So please don’t stress at me if I do some personal things during the day, since I’ll likely do some work stuff at home when inspired. It’s not just a 9-to-5 geek thing; it’s a lifestyle that encompasses everything that is me and what I do.