Comments on: Ten Cons of Working for a Small Business http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/ Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:07:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Michael http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-87793 Michael Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:05:48 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-87793 This sounded like my life exactly. Loved the response number 6. I have worked for 3 small biz each only had one owner. Each worked out the same way all work and no security then they get mad when I quit HA beware sole proprietorship if you don't want to share the wealth than don't hire do it all yourself This sounded like my life exactly. Loved the response number 6. I have worked for 3 small biz each only had one owner. Each worked out the same way all work and no security then they get mad when I quit HA beware sole proprietorship if you don’t want to share the wealth than don’t hire do it all yourself

]]> By: fern http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-84749 fern Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:23:36 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-84749 While Mule's case is extreme, I have to agree that this can sometimes be the case. I worked for two very small businessees (owner on the premises and maybe 5 employees) that "did not work out." In each case, I was fully qualified for the position, but the owner had unrealistic expectations and demands. And it is certainly true that in a small company, you need to be willing to do everything, from working 'mail room duty' to dealing with office machine repairs, not just your specific job function. You have to be willing to pitch in whenever needed and have no prima dona mentality. Many small businesses, in my opinion, lack the more formal, often written, policies and procedures that protect employees in a larger corporation. While small companies offer potential rewards and satisfaction that can't as easily be matched by working in a large company, i guess it depends on what you're looking for from your job, in addition to making a living, of course. While Mule’s case is extreme, I have to agree that this can sometimes be the case. I worked for two very small businessees (owner on the premises and maybe 5 employees) that “did not work out.”

In each case, I was fully qualified for the position, but the owner had unrealistic expectations and demands. And it is certainly true that in a small company, you need to be willing to do everything, from working ‘mail room duty’ to dealing with office machine repairs, not just your specific job function. You have to be willing to pitch in whenever needed and have no prima dona mentality.

Many small businesses, in my opinion, lack the more formal, often written, policies and procedures that protect employees in a larger corporation. While small companies offer potential rewards and satisfaction that can’t as easily be matched by working in a large company, i guess it depends on what you’re looking for from your job, in addition to making a living, of course.

]]> By: Mule http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-84525 Mule Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:16:14 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-84525 Let me begin by saying that the 10 cons are absolutely true but they're described in very favorable and "diet" light compared to the real world. I would say that the one thing missing is the biggest problem of a small company boss VS a large company manager/boss. The problem is "My wallet" mentality VS Corporate Capital mentality. That is the source of all problems within a small company run by 1 person (usually a closeted, greedy tyrant). One of the biggest difference between a SME and a corporation is that EVERYTHING you do is looked at as taking money out of the boss's pocket. If you take a sick day (god forbid) that is looked upon as theft of company property aka boss's wallet. If you dare take a lunch (at Boston Market) on a business trip, that is blatant theft. Also a slave master tendency often arises in SME bosses where if you're a salaried employee (read slave/indentured servant) you are expected to stay many hours after work and with very little thanks if at all. However if you dare ask for a vacation day, that is always labeled as inappropriate behavior (bordering outrageous and mentally unstable), you're reminded that you're a salaried employee (slave) and politely escorted out of the office with hushed whispers and an aura of secrecy and shame as if you have committed a horrible atrocity and is being easily let off for the crime. I'm not saying this is always a case, just a RL experience. If you're going to work for an SME, make sure it has more then 1 owner! Let me begin by saying that the 10 cons are absolutely true but they’re described in very favorable and “diet” light compared to the real world.

I would say that the one thing missing is the biggest problem of a small company boss VS a large company manager/boss.

The problem is “My wallet” mentality VS Corporate Capital mentality.

That is the source of all problems within a small company run by 1 person (usually a closeted, greedy tyrant).

One of the biggest difference between a SME and a corporation is that EVERYTHING you do is looked at as taking money out of the boss’s pocket. If you take a sick day (god forbid) that is looked upon as theft of company property aka boss’s wallet. If you dare take a lunch (at Boston Market) on a business trip, that is blatant theft. Also a slave master tendency often arises in SME bosses where if you’re a salaried employee (read slave/indentured servant) you are expected to stay many hours after work and with very little thanks if at all. However if you dare ask for a vacation day, that is always labeled as inappropriate behavior (bordering outrageous and mentally unstable), you’re reminded that you’re a salaried employee (slave) and politely escorted out of the office with hushed whispers and an aura of secrecy and shame as if you have committed a horrible atrocity and is being easily let off for the crime.

I’m not saying this is always a case, just a RL experience. If you’re going to work for an SME, make sure it has more then 1 owner!

]]> By: Elwyn Jenkins http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-60968 Elwyn Jenkins Tue, 19 Jun 2007 05:51:56 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-60968 I like your connections BUT I do not agree on many points here. Your Pros for working with a Small Business resonates better. I have worked with Small Businesses and two large ones. Many of your Cons in working with small business applies to working with large businesses if you are working for a new arm of a large and older business. I like your connections BUT I do not agree on many points here. Your Pros for working with a Small Business resonates better. I have worked with Small Businesses and two large ones. Many of your Cons in working with small business applies to working with large businesses if you are working for a new arm of a large and older business.

]]> By: Ten Pros of Working for a Small Business - SavingAdvice.com Blog http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-60122 Ten Pros of Working for a Small Business - SavingAdvice.com Blog Sun, 17 Jun 2007 08:23:18 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-60122 [...] there are some great pros to working at a small business, also realize that there are a number of cons to working for a small buiness, [...] […] there are some great pros to working at a small business, also realize that there are a number of cons to working for a small buiness, […]

]]> By: Elena http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-59303 Elena Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:36:41 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-59303 There are some intangible good points of working for a small business too. There is a "family feeling" about. A savage loyalty to each other that you won't find in a conglomeration, and your good work shines forth! It may not be for everyone but if you want to feel like a respected, needed person, small business might be the right way to go. There are some intangible good points of working for a small business too. There is a “family feeling” about. A savage loyalty to each other that you won’t find in a conglomeration, and your good work shines forth! It may not be for everyone but if you want to feel like a respected, needed person, small business might be the right way to go.

]]> By: Alfa http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-58808 Alfa Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:26:54 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-58808 These cons make running a small biz more challenging, which is what many entrepreneurs are looking for. These cons make running a small biz more challenging, which is what many entrepreneurs are looking for.

]]> By: Fern http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-58559 Fern Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:23:26 +0000 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/06/13/ten-cons-of-working-for-a-small-business/#comment-58559 As someone who has spent their entire career (all 26 years of it) in small and mid-sized businesses (not planned, it just happened that's where the jobs were), I can relate to many of these points. One thing you didn't mention, working for mostly small companies can be a handicap when you look for jobs in larger corporate environments; the concern is that you lack the 'corporate mentality' and may not understand the heirarchal structure and customs. Actually, I understand it very well. And good riddance! As someone who has spent their entire career (all 26 years of it) in small and mid-sized businesses (not planned, it just happened that’s where the jobs were), I can relate to many of these points.

One thing you didn’t mention, working for mostly small companies can be a handicap when you look for jobs in larger corporate environments; the concern is that you lack the ‘corporate mentality’ and may not understand the heirarchal structure and customs. Actually, I understand it very well. And good riddance!

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