whatTheFunc()?!

Episode 4 - Idrees Butt of RLTSquare on Building a Services Business in Pakistan

Episode Summary

This conversation is a discussion between Ben Marks and Idrees about Idrees' journey in the Magento world and his experiences running a services company in Pakistan. They talk about the challenges of building a business in a competitive market, hiring and retaining talent, and the importance of serving the end client. They also discuss the role of open source in the industry and the opportunities and difficulties it presents for agencies. The conversation explores the importance of cost-effective solutions in the open-source industry and the challenges faced by agencies and service providers. It also delves into the impact of AI on the platform world and the opportunities it presents. The discussion highlights the need for tailored backend systems and the potential of conversational interfaces in improving user experience. The conversation concludes with a focus on the benefits of outsourcing and the future of programming in the context of AI.

Episode Notes

• Building a business in a competitive market requires perseverance and adaptability.
• Hiring and retaining talent can be a challenge, especially in regions where job hopping is common.
• The role of agencies in the open source ecosystem is to serve the end client and provide flexibility and support.
• Creating a retainer solution for merchants can help address the issue of platform upgrades and support.
• Offshore companies can offer cost-effective solutions and do more with less.
• Contributions and collaboration are important for the development of open source products. Open-source providers must prioritize cost-effective solutions to make it feasible for merchants.
• The opportunity cost of decisions and the importance of tailored backend systems.
• AI offers opportunities for improved user experience through conversational interfaces.
• Outsourcing can provide benefits such as 24/7 support, ambitious deadlines, and cost savings.
• The future of programming lies in embracing natural language programming and understanding AI capabilities.