Sparkfun has not had to compete talent just yet. Wait until the competition for talent in Colorado reaches SV level. Sparkfun will have to stop relying on "I want to work at a cool/fun/relaxed place badly" and start paying market rates for talent.
Take a look at their crazy application process. It's built around how badly labor wants to work there. This strategy doesn't work in SV anymore.. Good candidates want to get paid, not have "fun times" at work. Sparkfun's talent strategy is built on concepts that are well over 15 years old.
Take a look at their crazy application process. It's built around how badly labor wants to work there. This strategy doesn't work in SV anymore.. Good candidates want to get paid, not have "fun times" at work. Sparkfun's talent strategy is built on concepts that are well over 15 years old.