© 2025 ElCode Collective
THIS IS HOW WE SHAPE PROJECTS AND FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE, AND HOW WE THINK ABOUT AUTHORSHIP, BUDGETS, AND SHARED PRACTICES
WE DON'T MEASURE SUCCESS BY HOW MANY PROJECTS WE TAKE ON OR HOW FAST WE SCALE. WE MEASURE IT BY THE QUALITY OF WORK PRODUCED, THE SATISFACTION OF CONTRIBUTORS, AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE NETWORK WE'RE BUILDING.
We prioritize on product depth. Shallower runs are called "consultancy" is what lets us avoid the trap of trying to be everything to everyone. Projects that don't align with our values or capabilities get redirected to others who can serve them better. This keeps the network healthy and sustainable, which means we can deliver excellent work for clients and fair compensation for contributors.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS RETAIN AUTHORSHIP OF THEIR WORK. WHEN SOMEONE DESIGNS AN INTERFACE, WRITES CODE, OR CREATES A VISUAL SYSTEM, THEIR NAME STAYS ATTACHED TO IT. THIS ISN'T JUST SYMBOLIC—IT AFFECTS HOW PEOPLE APPROACH THEIR WORK AND THE PRIDE THEY TAKE IN IT.
CONTRIBUTORS ARE PAID DIRECTLY FOR THE WORK THEY DO. NO HIDDEN CUTS, NO UNCLEAR PERCENTAGES, NO "AGENCY OVERHEAD" THAT GETS SKIMMED OFF THE TOP. THE BUDGET IS TRANSPARENT, AND EVERYONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE GETTING PAID AND WHY.
WE DON'T USE DARK PATTERNS, MANIPULATIVE DESIGN, OR ATTENTION-HACKING TECHNIQUES. IF WE'RE BUILDING SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO CAPTURE ATTENTION, IT SHOULD DO SO THROUGH GENUINE VALUE AND QUALITY, NOT PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLOITATION.
NOT EVERY PROJECT IS A GOOD FIT. IF A CLIENT'S VALUES DON'T MATCH OURS, OR IF THE WORK WOULD REQUIRE US TO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY OR ETHICS, WE SAY NO. THIS KEEPS THE NETWORK HEALTHY AND ENSURES CONTRIBUTORS WORK ON PROJECTS THEY CAN BE PROUD OF.
STRUCTURE ISN'T JUST ABOUT CONTRACTS AND PROCESSES—IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE CULTURE WE MAINTAIN. HOW PEOPLE COMMUNICATE, HOW FEEDBACK IS GIVEN, HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE. THESE CULTURAL PRACTICES ARE AS IMPORTANT AS ANY FORMAL SYSTEM.
LEADS ARE THERE TO FACILITATE, NOT DICTATE. THEY MAINTAIN QUALITY AND TIMELINES, BUT THEY DON'T MICROMANAGE OR IMPOSE TOP-DOWN DECISIONS. CONTRIBUTORS HAVE AGENCY OVER HOW THEY WORK, AND LEADS SUPPORT THAT AUTONOMY.
THIS ISN'T A SHORT-TERM EXPERIMENT. WE'RE BUILDING SOMETHING THAT CAN LAST—A NETWORK THAT SUPPORTS PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS, PRODUCES EXCELLENT WORK, AND MAINTAINS ITS INTEGRITY OVER TIME. DECISIONS ARE MADE WITH THAT LONGEVITY IN MIND.
IF OUR APPROACH RESONATES WITH YOU, LET'S START A CONVERSATION