Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

Kathy Sierra over at Creating Passionate Users has done a great job of comparing and contrasting start-ups with corporations in her post, “Dignity is Deadly” She’s even nice enough to put it in chart form for those of us with limited reading time.

Three in particular caught my eye:

Voice: In a start-up, it’s conversational, human to human. In the corporate world it’s business speak, corporate entity to consumer.

Business Plan: In a start-up, “changes more often than our software specs” In the corporate world, it’s the “five year strategic plan.”

Mission Statement: In a start-up, it’s, “We love what we’re doing. We need to make a profit so we can keep doing it.” In a corporation, it’s, “Our mission is to create expert solutions to customers while maximizing shareholder value.”

Boy, doesn’t that corporate mission make you just wanta bound outta bed every morning and head into your lovely beige cubicle!

Of course, there are deadly dull, toxic start-ups and big companies that are both innovative and - yes - fun. Even “bad” big corporations have their great groups and divisions. I had some wonderful jobs and worked with some terrific leaders during my time in Corporate America. I also learned a lot - what to do (and perhaps more importantly NOT to do) in product development, customer service and “managing” people.

My perspective: Any company of any size or age is ultimately what the people – from the CEO to the receptionist – make of it.

For those you stuck in cubicle land: Instead of posting yet another Dilbert cartoon on the wall – think how you personally can make a difference (at least in your own perspective and motivation.) And, nope this isn’t some marketing consultant (who’s never worked a real job) pontificating. I’ve toiled long hours in highly toxic environments where the only thing I could control or change was my reactions, attitude and interactions with others. Got me through some dark days and I learned lessons I can use for the rest of my life.

Oh, and Start-ups? Don’t get too smug. You could well be confusing activity with results and fun with revenue generation. Those all-day staff brainstorming meetings are often necessary and can be energizing – but are they ultimately getting to any actions? (And - for heavens’ sakes - write those software specs down somewhere!)

Tags: business development, entrepreneur, entrepreneur sanity check