Developer Resources in Syracuse
Syracuse is a small tech town. Thats a bonus. Here’s why.
There are a few attributes of a resource which make it valuable. One way to analyze the value of a resource is through the versatile VRIO Framework. The framework is generally used in corporate settings for corporate resources, and it was during my undergraduate studies that I was first exposed to it.
VRIO: Value, Rarity, Imitability, Organization.
In this context, in place of a corporation we’re talking about the city of Syracuse and the resource in question is the developer talent that is growing within the city. I take the view that developer community in Syracuse is a resource of the city. We’re not at odds with the city, we’re not removed from the city. We are a resource that the city has available to it for use when necessary.
Without adieu let’s begin the analysis, using the VRIO wikipedia page as a resource for the questions to ask.
Without adieu let’s begin the analysis, using the VRIO wikipedia page as a resource for the questions to ask.
The Question of Value: “Is the [city] able to exploit an opportunity or neutralize an external threat with the resource/capability?”
I believe the answer to this question is a resounding yes. The city has proven through the Innovation Team that is has the ability to empower technical teams to deploy new solutions to old problems (like using GPS and automatic data gathering techniques for filling pot holes).
There are many threats in the context of city living that would be best addressed with technological solutions. From problems as diverse as poverty and homelessness to transportation and community gathering — there is a place for modern technology in any solution.
The Question of Rarity: “Is control of the resource/capability in the hands of a relative few?”
The answer here is no. Though the city uses it’s own team of developers. The developer resources in the community are shared. Developers work for private companies, they work remotely for out of state corporations, they start their own businesses.
The city may not be aware of how many developers are available if only they’d ask. Regularly at meetings downtown I come across developers, and I am one of them, who have some extra time available for new projects. Given the opportunity to take on a project that will benefit the citizens of the city, most developers I know would jump.
The Question of Imitability: “Is it difficult to imitate, and will there be significant cost disadvantage to a firm trying to obtain, develop, or duplicate the resource/capability?”
Imagine if San Francisco or New York City wanted to exploit the developer talent that it had. What price would they pay in dollars? You can imagine it would be steep for the best of them. That may be the case here as well but it’s not proven.
If the city made an investment today in it’s developer resources, in the community of developers who want make an impact, it would be getting them at a bargain. The new breed of developers coming from code bootcamps in the area, coming from Syracuse University’s Computer Engineering graduate program, and out of The Tech Garden are modest people. I know them. They’re aware that there is opportunity all around the world for sky-high salaries and “the good life” yet I don’t know many that are convinced that more money and “the good life” are worth leaving Syracuse.
Syracuse has the benefit of being in New York, the greatest state in the country, without any of the congestion of the NYC metro area. It has incredible outdoor adventure opportunities in every outward direction as well as kind people within. That’s worth staying for. It’s also worth sacrificing for.
I believe that the imitability of the developer resources in Syracuse is low.
The Question of Organization: “Is the [city] organized, ready, and able to exploit the resource/capability?” “Is the [city] organized to capture value?”
I’ll generously say yes. However, I’m not well acquainted enough with the politicians at City Hall to be certain. As I previously mentioned, the city is exhibiting smart decision-making ability by establishing the Innovation Team. It happens to be a small team, however, like many small things, that leaves plenty of room for growth.
My request to City Hall is to take notice of your resource in the form of the developer community that regularly meets downtown, that wants to make the city a better place, that wants to stay, that wants to shine so bright that people from surrounding cities have no choice but to notice as well.
[This has been an uninformed, unthoughtful, incoherent post with no purpose, no agenda, no value written by an ill-advised, over-worked, under-slept nobody, who nonetheless knows your time is valuable appreciates you spending it here.]