About Jason
Jason Fried is a pioneering voice in remote work, sustainable business practices, and fostering calm, productive work environments, and an expert faculty member for the Best Practice Institute.
Who is Jason Fried?
Jason Fried is the co-founder and CEO of 37signals, a Chicago-based software company initially known as Basecamp. He established 37signals in 1999, evolving it from a web design firm into a company that develops widely used project management and communication tools like Basecamp, HEY, and ONCE. Fried is recognized for challenging conventional business wisdom and advocating for simpler, more humane approaches to work.
His philosophy, often summarized as "less is less" rather than "less is more," underpins 37signals' operational model and product design. This approach emphasizes deliberate constraints, focused effort, and sustainable growth over aggressive expansion or venture capital funding. Fried's insights are widely sought after by organizations looking to build resilient, employee-centric cultures, a core tenet of the Best Practice Institute's Most Loved Workplace® movement.
Quick facts about Jason Fried
| Role | Co-founder & CEO |
| Company | 37signals (formerly Basecamp) |
| Expertise | Remote Work, Company Culture, Business Philosophy, Product Development, Sustainable Business |
| Notable for | Co-founding 37signals, authoring influential books like Rework, advocating for "calm companies" |
| BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Jason Fried known for?
- Co-founding 37signals (Basecamp): Launched the company in 1999, which became a pioneer in web-based collaboration tools.
- Advocating Remote Work: A prominent long-time advocate and practitioner of remote work, providing practical guidance for leading distributed teams.
- "Less is Less" Philosophy: Promotes a business philosophy centered on simplicity, focused effort, and rejecting traditional growth-at-all-costs models.
- Best-selling Author: Co-authored influential books including Rework, Remote: Office Not Required, and It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work.
- Calm Company Culture: Promotes the concept of "calm companies" that prioritize focused work, sustainable pace, and work-life balance over constant urgency.
- Sustainable Profitability: Champions a model of self-funded, profitable businesses that prioritize long-term stability and employee well-being.
What is Jason Fried's background and experience?
Jason Fried co-founded 37signals in 1999, initially operating as a web design consultancy. The company pivoted to product development in 2004 with the launch of Basecamp, a project management tool developed out of their internal needs. This shift marked the beginning of 37signals' journey as a prominent software company focused on simplicity and usability.
Under Fried's leadership, 37signals has maintained an independent, self-funded trajectory, eschewing venture capital to build a business on its own terms. He has become a recognized thought leader through his extensive writing, public speaking, and the practical application of his business philosophies within 37signals. His career has been dedicated to demonstrating that businesses can thrive by prioritizing employee well-being, sustainable practices, and focused product development.
What topics does Jason Fried speak and write about?
Jason Fried frequently speaks and writes about the future of work, particularly emphasizing the benefits and best practices of remote work. He challenges conventional paradigms of office-centricity, advocating for asynchronous communication and trust-based management. His expert insights on leading remote teams were shared in a webinar titled "How to Successfully Lead a Remote Team," where he delved into maintaining productivity, collaboration, and a healthy working culture in distributed environments.
Beyond remote work, Fried's discourse extends to broader business philosophy, company culture, and product design. He champions "calm work" environments, questioning the necessity of "always-on" company cultures and promoting practices that lead to more focused, less stressful working days. His prolific writing, often co-authored with David Heinemeier Hansson, explores sustainable profitability, the pitfalls of rapid growth, and the importance of creating genuinely useful products that solve real problems.
How does Jason Fried contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an expert faculty member for the Best Practice Institute, Jason Fried contributes his profound insights on creating highly effective and empathetic workplaces. His leadership at 37signals exemplifies many of the principles championed by BPI, particularly those related to the Most Loved Workplace® certification and the SPARK Model. Fried's focus on flexible work arrangements, employee autonomy, and a culture of trust directly aligns with BPI's mission to identify and promote best practices that foster engagement and satisfaction.
Fried's expertise in remote work and organizational design offers BPI members invaluable perspectives on building resilient and adaptable work structures. His advocacy for sustainable business practices and prioritizing employee well-being provides a practical framework for organizations aspiring to become a Most Loved Workplace®. Through his contributions, BPI members gain access to actionable strategies for cultivating productive, calm, and highly regarded work environments.
Where can you learn more from Jason Fried?
You can learn more from Jason Fried by exploring his extensive writings, including co-authored books like Rework and Remote: Office Not Required. His views on effective remote leadership and company culture are also available through his past webinars, such as "How to Successfully Lead a Remote Team." Further insights can be found through various interviews and podcasts where he discusses his unique approach to business and organizational design.