Devoted to Corporate Attorneys, Corporate Lawyers, and Corporate Counsel

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP hosted a meeting by 106 Miles on December 14, 2006 in Menlo Park, CA.  A panel of speakers answered questions on the advantages and disadvantages of working at a start up as opposed to a brand name company.

Big companies seemed to have many chains of command which made it difficult to complete projects.  There were guardians to the resources.  The person in charge of resources might report to different people who did not have the same goals to complete tasks.  This was opposed to smaller companies where one could easily speak with the CEO for resources.  It was advised by a speaker to understand the deliverables of one’s manager, and the deliverables of the manager’s manager to see how the goals of each individual affected one’s work. 

While big companies offered time for learning with concentration in a segment of business, the incremental changes to products or services did not offer a chance to change the world. 

There was the opinion that jobs at big companies were just as insecure as jobs at start ups.  Though small companies might be acquired, whether there was job security depended on the acquiring company’s motives for buying.  Was it an acquisition of assets or a team?  If a company was purchasing assets, the people would be more likely dispersed.