Life After Corporate America
In our society things that are big are often perceived as better. Big city, big break, the big cheese, big boy, do big things, and the list goes on. All considered powerful or positive notions. But what about when it comes to business? Just like everything else bigger is always better, right?
Having now been on both sides of the fence, the big corporate America Company and the small online start-up, I can honestly say that bigger is NOT better…not by a long shot. Here’s why.
Bureaucracy
In the big company, it takes days, weeks, and sometimes months to get anything approved. In a small firm, walk into the President’s office, discuss the plan, get approval, and get rolling. Speaking of the company president, in the big company it meant a prestigious visit where everyone’s office had to be cleaned and the walls were repainted and you had to dress in attire you didn’t normally wear (i.e. the classic 3 piece black suit). You were to feel privileged if the man stopped to say hello or nodded at you as he past your cubicle. He didn’t know what you were working on, nor did he seem to care – as long as it was putting fuel in his private jet and paying his body guard. But, in the small firm, the president is part of the team. He (or she, as often is the case) sits with you at lunch, stops by your office to ask how your kids are, and most importantly, knows and cares what everyone is working on. He’ll be the first one to pitch in and the last one to leave at night. His door is open – come on in and talk.
There’s no I in TEAM
Moreover, in the big company it’s every man for himself. If it’s not in your job description, you don’t do it. You pass it off to someone else and it goes around and around until it finally gets to where it needs to be, often at least a week after when it was needed. In the small company, however, there are often no job descriptions. Sure, everyone has their role, but the atmosphere is one of team. Oh, so you need to take you child to the doctor today? Sure, I’ll cover for you. Wow, you’re swamped with that big project? Is there anything I could do to help? Those are phrases I never thought I’d hear in an office environment…until I took a job at a small company. Small Business is a way of life. A passion. A place where there aren’t big egos or big mouths, or big pockets. There are only big hearts, big commitments, and big teams – and I’ll take those over big business any day.
About the Author
Lisa Caudle – Web Marketing Expert
With 9+ years of strategic marketing experience, Lisa has expanded her expertise into profound knowledge of online advertising and social media.
Fact: Lisa can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
