In a large company you often get shafted. The nature of the system is one in which people compete for positions. They don’t compete for the company, they compete within the company.
How many people in your organisation are truly working for the financial and strategic benefit of the firm? In reality they are competing for perception and then their ability to get promoted. They compete for promotions, because within that territory is increased income. The pie is big, it is existential. This creates a political culture of internal competition, read here “Shafting”.
When working with Investors, small business operators and suppliers it is an environment of collaboration. It feels good. Yes, a simple fact like that can make it worthwhile. Actually enjoying your day and not getting shafted. You see, these people want to do business with you and make money with you. You are all actually aligned. The suppliers only do well if you do well, your venture capitalist only does well if you do well and your employees only do well if you do well. Yes, it is in their interest to mentor, but they do it because they are driven by personal values.
This is not the case with conglomerate X. People can do really well, while the company performs very poorly. A certain profile of person will perform in such environs. You’ve met them. They can be part the largest corporate loss in history and still receive bonus and incentive payments!
The CEO of Vodafone Group Plc Arun Sarin lead them to a $4.1bn loss this year and yet received a tasty $2.4m bonus share issue. Hmm, how many people (other than shareholders) had to get shafted for this to happen?
I’d rather mix with true mentors, not unaccountable corporate pretenders.
