[quote style=”boxed”]Mostly I try to get through correspondence in the first hour of the workday, so the rest is available to focus on tasks that need a good deal of concentration and minimal interruption.[/quote]
Philip Goward founded Smile with Greg Scown in 2003. Smile makes productivity software for the Mac, iPhone and iPad. He brings more than two decades of experience developing object-oriented software to the team. He’s been a Mac user since System 6 and his first Mac was an SE/30. In the past, he has worked for Cogent Research, Wyatt Software Services, Ithaca Software, ParcPlace Systems, SmartStuff Software, Zat (as founder and vice president), Webgain and now Smile. He delights in creating consumer software focused on user experience.
What are you working on right now?
Updates for our new product, PDFpen for iPad.
Where did the idea for Smile come from?
Smile began as Greg’s company, Smile Software, and my company, OnMyMac. Just before Apple Expo Paris in 2003, we decided to join forces and become SmileOnMyMac. I vividly recall the conversation in the park under the Tour Eiffel. Since our company focus has widened from its Mac beginnings, now encompassing mobile devices, especially iOS, we reduced the name to Smile last year in order to reflect what we do.
What does your typical day look like?
Coffee, reading, coffee, breakfast, walk 10 feet to my office and start work. LOL. I work from home, so I have plenty of flexibility to take breaks in the day. Mostly I try to get through correspondence in the first hour of the workday, so the rest is available to focus on tasks that need a good deal of concentration and minimal interruption. I have an iChat channel open most of the time for conversation with the rest of the team and other buddies.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Planning, clearly thinking through problems, and then having the focus to make it through the nitty gritty details of making a product solid and deliverable. Delivering a product to its customers is really the beginning.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Mobile devices with a screen appropriately sized for expressive work.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I am fortunate enough that it’s never been the job, but the people. I’ve learned which personalities can make a business sink or swim.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would’ve met Greg sooner.
What’s on your playlist?
Presently, Andreas Scholl singing Handel. Sublime.
If you weren’t working on Smile, what would you be doing?
Probably working on something like Smile.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
Last night. Great conversation and good company.
Who is your hero?
Tintin from childhood. The recent movie is great!
Connect:
Phillip Goward on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/philipgoward
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.