Kathy Sierra nails it yet again with a laugh-out-loud funny list of differences between the startup and the corporate mindset.
I added a few examples of my own in the comments:
| Startup | Corporate | |
| When we screw up | Admit it, apologize, fix it, compensate customers, move on. | Hide it. When that fails, blame the customers. |
| Meetings | Fun, chaotic, everyone is heard. | The boss talks, you listen. |
| When you disagree with management | You’re valued. | You’re fired. |
| Work-time | Whatever works for you | 9-5. On paper. In reality: 9-9. |
| Having children | Congratulations! Come back in 6 months. Or when you’re ready. | Are you sure you want to jeopardize your career? |
| When you succeed | The whole company celebrates with you. | “Employee of the month” certificate. |
Kathy is awesome.
I really like your additions.
How about this one for still more examples.
When you quit:
Startup – you’re treated like a graduate who will take what you learned here and used it for good
Corporation – you’re treated like a traitor, “how dare you leave!” or you’re treated like a moron, “how stupid are you to leave”
Heh, great one. I just thought of these:
Rules:
Startup: Make them up as we go.
Corporate:Delivered from on high on stone tablets.
Training:
Startup: Whatever you want, whenever you need it.
Corporate: Centrally mandated training schedule.