Note: This post is adult themed. Dreamstar Cash has been in business for over 8 years now developing and running internal projects focused on the adult market. Below, Rodney Cullen, Operations Manager at Dreamstar Cash, explains how his team uses Basecamp.
For the past 2-3 years we've had a Basecamp account although it was not used extensively. Since discovering 37signals Getting Real book and REWORK, there's a renewed enthusiasm for the platform.
Our developers use a great tool called Rally Dev based on the SCRUM Agile Methodology for tracking development related tasks (User Stories, Defects, Tasks, Releases, Iterations, etc. Basecamp was always shunned as it was considered too simple to be of much use - What? No priority fields? No Resorting? No custom filters?
After having read both Getting Real and REWORK though, all of a sudden this new, simple approach flicked the lightbulb on – this made SO MUCH SENSE! We suddenly found ourselves using Basecamp left, right and center and it has become an invaluable tool for managing even the most obscure aspects of our organization.
Although we're an adult orientated business we were able to apply many if not most of the approaches covered in both books, there are many moments when we've found ourselves citing quotes. Something we found even funnier was when we were over in Vegas for a convention in Jan we were given a copy of Rework by one of the companies we work with as a belated xmas gift - 37signals was making the rounds even in the Adult Industry it appears!
Right now we have a few different projects setup and we use it to manage:
- Our offshore content managers based in the Philippines, their tasks, questions, communications
- We have an internal management project with restricted access in use for the management team. Especially useful during long negotiations/partnerships where there are many factors need to be taken into account. Great place to write down ideas, milestones, research tasks, etc.
- Many interactions with our Graphic Design department are carried out through Basecamp
- Manage our SEO projects with an external provider (They are based in the UK and we're in Spain so it's proved invaluable).
- Our internal optimisation projects (MVT/CRO/LPO...)
- HR has recently setup their own project where they are posting interesting articles related to the whole recruitment process from the net and we can all read and comment on them.
- Personal Assistant also has her own project where we have frequent threads going on certain VERY important decisions (Office activities, parties, dinners, etc.) as well as a centralized place for managing her own task list.
- Internal Project for general tasks related to the running of the business, a place to store ideas, and general tasks related to the sites that are not sufficiently defined to be entered into Rally Dev. Also used for sharing messages when we find news articles/blog posts/etc. and subsequently comment on them, etc.
- We recently overhauled our company site www.dreamstarcash.com - the entire project was managed through Basecamp
- And yes! Even the DEV department has gotten onboard: Easy and simple overtime tracking for our DEV team for payroll purposes (!!) sharing messages and coordinating with the Design department - brilliant!
The next internal project that we'll be setting up is our forthcoming ERP implementation, so even Accounting will be getting their 37signals freak on, can't wait!
Do you use a 37signals product in an interesting way? Let us know.
