Can you stand out like a real Purple Programmer?
What can you do to be different than the herd?
I bet you haven’t read Seth Godin. As a developer, I am not shocked. He is more of a marketing guy.
I was reading Purple Cow recently. In this book, Seth details how companies can stand out.
How can developers really stand out? What makes them unique? This book really got me thinking.
Purple cow
Godin’s simple message is that companies must stand out. In our cluttered business world, many get lost.
A purple cow stands out. Have you seen a purple cow? If you did you would remember it.
Be Remarkable
Seth is known for simple advice. Be remarkable.
As developers, we can become commodities to a degree. “We need two React developers and a .Net developer.”
Replace one with another. Are we just cogs in a machine?
What is your brand?
Godin wants businesses to stand out. A developer too can create a remarkable brand.
In this earlier article, I talked about Javier Lozano. He is a .Net guru. When companies need help they call him.
Javier has a brand. He is quite remarkable. Javier can’t easily be replaced.
Don’t follow the leader
As kindergarteners, we learned to follow the leader. Stay in line.
Our work world can reflect that. We do the same things as co-workers. Learn similar technology.
Be Boring?
Seth implores us to avoid the boring path.
“In almost every market, the boring slot is filled.”
“The lesson is simple – boring always leads to failure. Boring is always the most risky strategy. Smart business people realize this, and they work to minimize (but not eliminate) the risk from the process.” Seth Godin, Purple Cow
Are you just a boring developer? I could be accused of that. I have worked lately to develop new skills.
We get complacent and plod along. A new skill, new job, or challenge can break us out.
Just another Java Developer
This book made me realize I am boring. I am just another Java developer. What can I do to stand out?
In the last few years, I have made an effort to learn new technologies. I have tried Python, Vue.js, and AWS. Looking for ways to help me stand out.
In conclusion, we all need to find ways to stand out. Writing this blog helps me establish a brand. You can create your own brand. Just be intentional about it.