Hello friends,

Greetings from Utrecht!

Our daughter Maya's summer holiday has started, and I have mixed feelings about it.

As we don't have a daycare solution in place, my girlfriend and I ended up dividing six weeks worth of parenting between the two of us.

On the one hand, I'm gaining a lot of uninterrupted face time with my daughter, which is consistently one of the most fulfilling elements in my life.

On the other hand, I'm gaining a lot of face time uninterrupted face time with my daughter, which is consistently one of the most exhausting elements in my life. And it comes directly out of time that would normally go towards improving my business.

So I've had to resign myself to the fact that outside of client engagements, my summer will be a bit of a slow period.

One amazing thing I'm looking forwardThe upshot is that Maya is getting better at gaming, and I'm very much looking forward to exploring this territory with her further.

We've just started playing Blanc on a recommendation by good friend (and excellent industry recruiter) Wouter Go. And it's just perfect.

The game is simple enough that she doesn't get frustrated. It's goals are clear enough that she doesn't just give up. Enough happens that she doesn't get bored. It's been pretty amazing to go through the game with her, communicating and really working together to solve the puzzles, and delighting in the scenes that we encounter.

Now I just need about 5 more of these to get through the summer 😅

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Management Debt Is Killing Your Studio

Let's talk about a kind of debt that is often ignored: management debt.

While financial debt and tech debt may already be on your radar, management debt often goes unnoticed until it starts taking a toll on your team and overall success.

And it's probably happening at your studio, *right now*.

Today, we'll explore the concept of management debt and discuss why it's crucial to invest in your studio's management practices to avoid long-term consequences.

Before we dive deeper, let's clarify what management debt entails.

Unlike financial debt, which revolves around monetary obligations, and tech debt, which relates to software development shortcuts, management debt stems from neglecting foundational management principles.

It accumulates over time as you prioritize quick wins over sustainable, long-term success.

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Recognizing the Signs of Management Debt

So, how do you know if you're grappling with management debt? Take a moment to reflect on these signs highlighted by your fellow videogame leaders:

• Lack of Clear Goals and Plans: You may not have needed clear objectives when you had a small team, but as your team grows to 30+ people, chaos creeps in. It's time to realign your goals and establish a solid plan that accommodates your team's size and ambition. Doubly so if your studio is remote or hybrid.
• Overwhelm and Fire-Fighting: Are you constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, putting out fires left and right? If most of your weeks feel like an endless cycle of reactive problem-solving, it's a clear indicator of management debt.
• Communication Challenges: In the early days, communication flowed effortlessly. However, now it seems that people are drowning in endless meetings, yet still not adequately informed. This breakdown in communication signifies the presence of management debt.

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The Cost of Management Debt

Like any debt, management debt comes with a cost.

Ignoring it or delaying repayment can be detrimental to your team and overall success.

The interest on management debt manifests as decreased productivity, lowered morale, and increased frustrations within your studio.

The longer you ignore it, the more it compounds and impacts your team's performance and satisfaction.

The longer performance and satisfaction are impacted, the harder it becomes to make great games.

Left alone for long enough, this can become a fatal feedback loop.

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Investing in Good Management Practices

Great leaders understand that good management doesn't magically happen on its own.

It requires deliberate investment of time and effort to cultivate a healthy and thriving work environment.

By making that investment, day in day out, you pave the way for long-term success and create a culture of excellence.

Escaping the clutches of management debt is mostly a matter of changing your mindset. Instead of focusing on quick wins, you have to prioritize long-term success.

Here are four practical steps you can take to start developing healthy management practices:

• Set Clear Goals and Plans: Define your long-term goals, and define yearly and quarterly priorities that build up to them. Do this not just for your game, but for your company as a whole. This ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives.
• Effective Delegation: Avoid overwhelm by delegating responsibilities effectively. Identify key team members and empower them to take ownership of specific areas, freeing up your time to work *on* your company instead of just *in* your company.
• Streamline Communication: Simplify and streamline your communication. Tighten up your weekly management meeting and adopt efficient tools that facilitate information sharing, ensuring everyone stays informed and connected.
• Start Solving Issues: Stop talking about your issues, and start solving them. Dedicate time each week to discuss and solve your most pressing issues, making sure to translate them into concrete next steps.

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Reducing Management Debt Pays Off

By investing in your company's management practices, you set the stage for a brighter future:

• Improved Employee Satisfaction and Retention: A well-managed studio fosters higher employee satisfaction, leading to increased loyalty and reduced turnover rates.
• Creation of a Culture of Excellence: When you prioritize effective management practices, you inspire and empower your team to strive for excellence, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Enhanced Team Collaboration and Productivity: Clear goals, streamlined communication, and solid structures enable seamless collaboration, boosting overall team productivity and efficiency.

Management debt is real, and sooner or later, it demands repayment with interest. And if the interest is high enough, it just might kill your studio.

By investing in your studio's management practices today, you lay the foundation for long-term success, higher employee satisfaction, and a thriving work environment.

So, take charge, address your management debt, and watch as your team and studio flourish.

See you in two weeks!

Martijn

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