Basecamp built a company by eliminating meetings!

11 Apr 2026 · 1 min

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In this commentary, Dan Novaes explains how Basecamp deliberately minimized meetings, replacing them with asynchronous written communication. He argues that typical workplaces suffer from constant meetings that interrupt focus, repeat information, and waste time. Basecamp’s approach lets updates be shared in writing, allowing employees to read and respond on their own schedule, keeping work documented and accessible. This continuous information flow reduces interruptions, enables longer periods of deep focus, and makes decisions clearer because they are recorded. Novaes emphasizes that productivity isn’t about adding more meetings but about removing them so real work can happen.

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Basecamp built a company culture where meetings are almost completely eliminated. In most workplaces, meetings are constant. Daily check-ins, weekly updates, long discussions. They take time, interrupt focus, and often repeat information. Basecamp chose a different approach. They replaced meetings with written communication. Updates are shared asynchronously. People read and respond on their own time. Work is documented, organized, and accessible anytime. Instead of gathering everyone at once, information flows continuously. Employees can focus longer without interruptions. Decisions are clearer because they're written down. Basecamp didn't remove communication. It changed how it happens. Sometimes productivity is not about doing more meetings. It's about removing them so real work can actually happen.