Boring Tech, Bold Results | Jon Behr, VP of Engineering at FM
Sep 17, 2024
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Jon Behr, VP of Engineering at FM, shares his journey in modernizing tech for brands like Musicbed and Film Supply. He emphasizes choosing 'boring technology' for stability while discussing the challenges of rewriting legacy applications. The conversation covers team dynamics, the balance between innovation and practicality, and the intricacies of hiring processes. Jon also touches on the importance of Performance Improvement Plans in tech environments, and shares personal reflections on wealth, legacy, and the joy of adventurous travels.
Jon Behr advocates for choosing 'boring technology' like Laravel to ensure stability and facilitate long-term growth in applications.
Fostering a culture of ownership and clear communication within engineering teams enhances problem-solving capabilities and team resilience.
Deep dives
The Journey to FM and Laravel Implementation
John Behr discusses his journey from starting a Laravel consultancy agency in the UK to becoming the VP of engineering at FM, which began as Musicbed. Initially confronted with a legacy app rife with issues, he successfully led the complete rewrite of the application using Laravel, which was relatively new at the time. This project proved critical in establishing a strong foundation for FM and fostering stable growth over the years. The collaboration with Musicbed transformed into a full-time role for John and set the stage for the company's evolution into multiple brands catering to the creative industry.
Embracing the Power of Laravel
Laravel plays a foundational role in FM's operations, particularly in managing their substantial API traffic, which totals 220 million requests monthly. John emphasizes that the decision to choose Laravel was made during its early days, driven by foresight from key team members. Over the years, the original codebase from that early rewrite has been enhanced but not entirely replaced, signaling the durability of Laravel for long-term application development. The team has modernized their tech stack as necessary while adhering to a philosophy of selecting 'boring' yet reliable technologies that streamline processes.
Building and Structuring a Successful Engineering Team
The engineering team at FM consists of a balanced mix of senior and mid-level engineers, structured into two main teams to align with the company's brands. John advocates for a culture of ownership among team members, encouraging proactive problem-solving and innovation. He believes in fostering strong communication and clarity around expectations, which empowers engineers in their roles. This structure, combined with an emphasis on mentorship and team stability, has cultivated a productive and resilient engineering environment.
Recruitment Challenges and Team Development
John shares insights into the complexities of hiring Laravel developers, detailing the high volume of applications and the intense process of filtering for quality candidates. He expresses the importance of maintaining high hiring standards to ensure that new recruits elevate the team's overall expertise. John criticizes the notion of 'hire fast and fire fast,' instead advocating for a thorough selection process to uphold team integrity. He stresses that fostering an inclusive and supportive culture is essential for nurturing talent, encouraging candidates to network and stay connected for future opportunities.
In this episode of the Business of Laravel Podcast, Matt Stauffer sits down with Jon Behr, VP of Engineering at FM, to discuss his journey into the company and FM's use of Laravel. FM operates three major brands—Musicbed, Film Supply, and Stills—which license music, provide film clips, and sell premium stock photography. John shares insights into the ground-up rewrite of the Musicbed app using Laravel, highlighting the importance of choosing "boring technology" to ensure stability. They also explore topics like scalability, clear communication within engineering teams, and the intricacies of hiring and firing developers.