I think it is a good idea for aspiring entrepreneurs to get some experience of working with a startup as well as some experience of working in a large company.
Here’s why: Working with a startup and working with a large company offer very different learnings and experiences for an aspiring entrepreneur.
For example, working in a startup helps an aspiring entrepreneur understand how to make things work in a resource constrained environment, how to hire people when you are not a known brand, how to be flexible and nimble, etc. Working on a startup also helps aspiring entrepreneurs understand how business models evolve, how a gradual ramp-up is implemented, how a business plan has to be adjusted, how quickly things can change… and how assumptions are tested and hence, adjustments made in goals, strategy and implementation plans.
On the other hand, working in a large company helps aspiring entrepreneurs learn about the power of processes and systems, the challenges of working at scale, the way to handle HR issues when there are multiple layers in an organization when, unlike a startup, you don’t know your colleagues by name. Working in a large company also teaches aspiring entrepreneurs about business focus, being goal & objective oriented and about increasing profitability.
In effect, both environments – large company and startups – offer experiences that are varied and very useful when you yourself will start your own venture.
vineet banthia
Another option would be to explore small companies (100-200 people) as they, IMHO, offer the best of both the worlds.
Nice post. Thanks.
Karan Pandhi
Hi Prajakt,
I totally agree to your points, I wish to add myself I have worked 2 years in the hospitality industry with Oberoi Group and Hilton, London. and also I do have almost since childhood experience in my Dad’s manufacturing business of sweets and savories.
It does help to have a little knowledge and idea how the business works.
Prajakt Raut
Thank you Vineet.
Sudarsan Ravi
Very well written. I worked in a startup after finishing up my career with Deloitte and have sampled both. I now run my own startup. Here are my take aways:
1. Big organization experience does give structure, planning and people skills
2. Startups teach you about agility, execution and challenges with no backup support.
I think experience in both domains will help you balance the startup on an even keel.
Prajakt Raut
Thank you Sudarshan.
Abhishek Bharadwaj
There is no Should or Should Not. It is about learning right strategies to nurture a startup. Whatever way you learn is upto you. There are considerable precedence in each way to prove it right.
Asghar
The problem with ” Getting Experience and then Startup ” is that most people stick to their comfort zones once they have a job . I think starting up right away after college is the best option
Puneet Sharma
Learning is a continuous process. There is learning in whatever job you do.
But, the best ones come after starting up. I think – it is better to start up & learn the hard way.