OK, well the company I’m at technically isn’t a startup. It’s been around for over 10 years. But its focus has changed from being primarily a research organization to a commercial one that is productizing its successful research initiatives. For all intents and purposes it might as well be considered a startup.
Pros
Probably the greatest benefit to working in a company like this is that almost everything we do is greenfield – and I don’t mean just software development, I mean business process development too. We get the unique opportunity to form the way the business operates from the ground up. Find something that doesn’t work the way you like? Change it. Find something that works really well? Use it. Nothing is off the table.
Even though we aren’t a software development company per se, it does form a significant portion of what we are. And to that end we have the responsibility to deliver high-quality systems. In order to deliver a robust solution to the client we have to employ sound architectural and software engineering practices. And the beauty of it is that we can look to the successes of other companies that have used Agile and Lean methodologies to their advantage and incorporate the same principles here. No having to strip away layers of process in order to make a streamlined software development lifecycle.
Naturally, we’re a small company. That means that in order to get things done people are empowered. Not just empowered to do their day-to-day things, but to actually think and reflect on the way we do things and come together as a team to make real change. It takes the concept of team ownership of code to a whole new level – to the company level – where you are truly an owner in the products and the way they are delivered.
Small companies such as this also bring one very important benefit to the table – that you’re not just a number in a faceless corporate machine. People know you and you know them. It takes the benefits of an Agile team to the next level and brings a sense of camaraderie to the game that makes everyone feel that they have others that they can depend on to get the job done.
Cons
Not surprisingly, as a small company in this phase of its life, budgets are tight. Everything from server hardware costs, to developer tool costs, to travel budgets for conferences is looked at from a necessity perspective. Unlike some companies with deep pockets and seemingly bottomless pits of funds for infrastructure, we have to be vigilant and ruthlessly efficient in our expenditures.
Probably not unique to startups, but common to small companies, is the need to wear many hats. As the software architect, I often field common support needs on the network or server platforms. I participate in presales calls and lend guidance to the business development team to help bridge the gap between techies and non-techies.
Pressure to build up a sustainable and recurring revenue stream is high. A small company operating in a niche market in a tumultuous economy has a lot to worry about. The focus of each and every team member has to be like a laser to deliver a high-quality solution that the client simply can’t afford to live without. Frankly, that should be the focus anyway, so making that a negative probably isn’t fair. The point is that letting your focus slip a little can have dire effects on a small company in a fledgling state.
In Summary
Although there are a number of pros and cons to working in this sort of company the pros far outweigh the cons. So many of the day-to-day impediments that hamstring teams and projects can be eliminated through tight teamwork and the empowerment that comes from knowing that you can make important decisions to improve things.
Funny thing is that you don’t necessarily have to work in a small start-up to have your cake and eat it too. Larger, well established companies can achieve the same results by empowering their employees and fostering a culture of entrepreneurial spirit. The main difference is the depth of the sludge you have to dig through and how far can you go to clean it up.
Good luck!
