Leaving a Large Company: What You Need to Know

When it comes to job changes, many people expect to move on from smaller businesses. The thought is, you may start with a small company or startup, but inevitably you will move onto the big leagues. Still, that is not always the case or even what is best for your career. If you are in the process of leaving a large company for a startup, there are a few things that you should do beforehand.

1. Consider your options.

There is a risk when it comes to leaving a big business. Larger companies and corporations provide a sense of job security. Make sure to weigh the risk of leaving that stability for any unknown scenario. A new business is liable to fail for any number of reasons. These reasons can include poor location, lack of capital, or tough competition. If your heart is set on joining a startup, look at different ones and assess their business plans and methods for dealing with hard times.

2. Speak with the startup hiring manager.

It is always advisable to speak with the hiring manager or owner before you take any next steps. Make sure that you are guaranteed a position with the startup. If you are taking a chance on an up-and-coming company, you will want to minimize the risks as much as possible.

3. Understand the weight of your daily decisions.

Large companies can make employees feel more secure in their decisions. Unlike startups, your decisions for a big corporation will not necessarily have an enormous – or any – ripple effect on the viability of the business. Focus your energy in part on trusting your judgments so you can make these decisions with purpose.

4. Adjust to waterfall budgeting.

Budgeting can be vastly different at large companies versus at startups. Large companies tend to have annual budgets. Alternatively, startups can budget on an ongoing basis or incrementally depending on the company’s present standing. It can take some time for a startup to establish a locked down budgeting process. However, the early stages can give you the opportunity to have budgeting conversations in a quick, straightforward manner.

There are plenty of useful skills that large company employees can bring to startups. Even so, there are skills that can prove detrimental in the startup environment. Knowing the difference between the two will help to solidify your future success at a smaller company.

How to Transition from a Small Office to a Large Company

Starting a new job can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Many times, new jobs can involve a blank slate. A blank slate may mean a new city, a new title, or a new specified field. While these factors can be appealing, they can also be intimidating.

It is even more intimidating for employees who leave a small office for a large company. That is why, when you decide to make a significant career move, it is crucial to know a few things. The first thing that you should know are the ways to navigate a transition into a larger company.

1. Embrace the move.

A professional change can feel overwhelming, but moving to a new and larger company is nuanced. People will likely find good parts of the company culture, as well as unlikable parts. You may find yourself worried about a larger company having a bad culture. It is important to consider that the company may possess more readily available learning and developmental resources.

2. Ask for help.

It is not inherently bad to ask for help when it is needed. In fact, knowing when it is appropriate to seek guidance can reveal your ability to problem-solve and willingness to accept advice. If you are struggling to adapt to a new company culture, consider speaking with your manager. Similarly, there is no shame in discussing with peers any tips on adjusting to a new workplace.

3. Look into training opportunities.

Employees in any field should research professional development opportunities. Exploring new training can expand your skill set and future marketability. Although you may have sought new training prior to your move, seeking additional hands-on experience is valued. It will also show your new employer that you are committed to personal and professional growth.

4. Work your way up the ladder.

Working for a large company or corporation can provide some flexibility. Learn if it is possible to request work on smaller projects from your manager. These projects may give you a chance to spearhead a smaller team for the first time. Do not disregard these smaller projects. Everyone has to start at the beginning at some point.

Every company move comes with its own set of challenges and learning curve. There is no need to let these factors discourage you. If you choose to lean into obstacles as they arise, many of your future career decisions may feel less overwhelming.

How Big Corporations are Going to Fare During the Looming Recession

The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in an economic downturn that may last for several months. While the specific impact of a potential recession won’t be known for months or years to come, some general predictions can be made based on what we already know about the coronavirus. Let’s take a closer look at which industries may be the hardest hit, which will likely come through unscathed and which may struggle to survive.


The Travel Industry Could Look Very Different

Executives representing a number of airline companies say that they may not be able to survive without a government bailout. In addition, cruise lines and other companies in the travel industry are also going to be significantly impacted by the upcoming recession. This is because travel has literally come to a halt in many large cities and countries throughout the world.

Retailers Could See an Uptick In 2020

If you have been watching the news recently, you know that toilet paper is one of the most popular items in the United States and throughout the world. Regardless of how much money people have, they will still need to buy food, cleaning supplies and other essential items to survive.

Amazon has recently announced plans to hire 100,000 workers while Walmart has planned to hire 150,000 new workers. These individuals will be asked to clean stores, work in warehouses and deliver goods to people who opt to have items sent directly to their homes. Local grocery stores will also likely survive the recession as they mostly carry items that people need.

Government Spending Should Increase

The president has invoked the Defense Production Act, which allows the federal government to tell companies what they should be making. While businesses aren’t necessarily mandated to meet production targets set by federal agencies, the government can provide incentives to do so.

In the near future, medical supplies such as masks and ventilators are going to be in high demand. Therefore, companies that make those products will likely see an uptick in their revenues. The same is likely to occur for organizations that are searching for a vaccine that will prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Self-Employed May Be Alright

Self-employed individuals are used to working at home, and they are also used to getting creative when it comes to finding work. Therefore, they may stand a greater chance of finding work or to take actions that will help them get through the upcoming crisis. There is also a chance that the recession will provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to create new products or offer services that will be in higher demand as the recession unfolds.

The upcoming recession will likely result in significant job losses and corporate bankruptcies. It may also change how the government approaches issues such as providing a universal basic income and paid leave. However, it is important to note that regardless of how bad recessions get, they will not last forever. Therefore, it is important for everyone to take steps to help them get ready for the next bull market.

Best Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Right Now

2020 has proven to be one of the most challenging and volatile years in stock market history. This year, there are many economic challenges that the world will face. However, there are still companies that could succeed during this volatility. There are several blue-chip stocks to buy right now that could be a great addition to your portfolio.


Johnson and Johnson
Johnson and Johnson (JNJ) has been in business for over 130 years and continues to be a staple of the economy. The company produces a range of consumer products, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals. With the amount of uncertainty in the healthcare industry, all of these products are bound to be in demand in the future as well.

Netflix
Netflix (NFLX) has been one of the top technology stocks for the past decade and the trend is bound to continue. This stock has fared very well compare to the market during the recent drop in price. This trend is expected to continue as more people choose to spend time inside, which should increase the subscriber base for the company.

Berkshire Hathaway
During these uncertain times, investing with a seasoned professional is a great option. Through both BRK.A and BRK.B you can invest directly alongside Warren Buffet’s investment fund. Berkshire Hathaway has a proven track record of taking advantage of all market cycles to earn a good return on investment. This was proven following the 2008 recession when the fund earned great returns for investors.

Alibaba
Alibaba (BABA), which is commonly referred to as the Amazon of China, has been a very successful company for years. Investors that started with the company following its IPO a few years ago would be pleased with their investment returns. Going forward, Alibaba will continue to offer a lot of return potential as they offer a wide range of products through their online shipping model. They are also continuing to expand into other markets and product areas as well.

Big-Company Response to Coronavirus: Industrial Support in the Works

In this trying time of a pandemic, the economy is plummeting to the ground as supplies become scarce and lives are taken by the Coronavirus. The threat has sent the entire nation into an emergency, has canceled schools across the country, and has forced many state governments to limit their transportation to business-only while in the middle of this crisis. However, whilst amidst this fearful time, while many of the nation’s people have turned to a more primal mindset of “Do what is necessary to survive” many others such as business owners have stepped up to the plate to give back, and those efforts are shown through the many different types of aid they give to the citizens during this time of need.


Since Coronavirus is a sickness that attacks the respiratory system, and mainly the youthful and elderly, there is a sense of urgency to getting help to these immune-weakened citizens in the best way possible. This is often through ventilators as they fall into pneumonia and respiratory failure. However, with the national case count of 9000 and growing, there has been a shortage of this life-saving technology. Thankfully producers are pushing overtime to get as many out as quickly as possible to try and lower the causality rate of this illness. While there is wonderful news, this only helps the sick. What about the families that are desperately trying to keep from falling ill?

Those who have not yet fallen ill to the virus to the point they need that type of assistance, find themselves of food, essential daily items, and cleaning supplies. After news spread about a possible quarantine, everyone who had the funds went out to gather as much as they could to last a couple of months, leaving others without. Thankfully other big-name companies are helping through funding and heavier production of those materials as well.

Will this be enough to help the community rise above this crisis? It’s unclear but it is a start.

Planogram Technology Still a Defining Force in Age of E-Commerce

In the early phases of e-commerce, people saw the Internet has a way to expand their choices and find the best price on big-ticket items—while still routinely going to the store for the daily essentials. As time goes on, this paradigm seems to be reversing itself. People are increasingly buying basic household items through Amazon, while going to a brick-and-mortar store for their big-ticket items so they can see the products and services for themselves before making a final decision. With increased convenience and choices come increased expectations for the value offered by products and services. Making the wrong decision for one’s phone, TV, gaming platform, car, or bigger pieces of furniture can be a regret that one must live with for years. And so, people are more motivated to visit a brick-and-mortar store for these and other items.

As such, many of today’s Big Companies have transformed more of their floor space from inventory displays to showroom floors and an interactive customer experience, while also offering many or all of their products through delivery from their distribution centers. Newer planogram and inventory management technologies allowed these retailers to analyze the dynamic effects associated with adopting an integrated approach to their retail sales model and how to best use their in-store inventory and assets.

Data Reporting and Planogram Compliance

Planogram technology—even in its traditional role of modeling the placement of retail products on shelves to maximize sales—is still as important as ever. More so. In addition to floor planning and range planning software that have been around for years, today’s retail industry is using more powerful data technologies for analyzing the performance of individual products within product categories as well as niche categories within broader categories. Which products benefit most from being featured on particular shelves? Which products hardly benefit at all from being on the retail floor? What products don’t benefit directly from being featured but which increase overall sales through related products? Take a look at this example of category management software to get a glimpse into the types of nested product information that can be reported on an easily viewable dashboard display.

To be sure, it’s not just about the data collection and mining. It’s also the data reporting and actionable intelligence. Especially when it comes to planogram compliance. Image recognition software can be used to create automated reports for planogram compliance. Store associates will know when store shelves or retail displays need attention. Visual merchandising managers can track planogram compliance remotely. Supply chain managers will know when products are under- or over-performing. Even newer planogram and merchandising technologies are turning the cameras around and using facial recognition software to measure customers’ eye movement across the shelves to optimize sales and inventory management.

Competition and Integration

Too often, today’s retail sector is described as the unstoppable march of e-commerce capturing an ever-increasing market share. But this isn’t really reflected in the data anymore. Even as some legacy retail brands go bankrupt in the rise of e-commerce, brick-and-mortar sales have stabilized and been positive for many years now, increasingly in lockstep with e-commerce sales trends.

The competition has also spurred plenty of innovation along the way. Price-matching guarantees seem so commonplace today that it’s easy to forget how relatively new they are. Digital Commerce 360 offers this reminder that it was only in 2012 that Best Buy’s newly minted CEO, Hubert Joly, made a price-matching guarantee policy one of his very first actions. “Customers who entered the store to personally try out the product felt empowered to buy on the spot—thanks to the guarantee. Further, he carved out showroom space for big brands, including Apple, Microsoft and Samsung so vendors could interact with customers.”

More and more, e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail stores are evolving together. Recent trends show momentum toward a more complete integration of e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail. More traditional retailers than ever have a robust e-commerce operation, while Amazon has shown increasing commitment to, and value in, establishing brick-and-mortar stores.

Planogram Tech Finding Applications in More Sectors

Beyond its role as a defining force in retail, planogram and merchandising technology are demonstrating their value in other sectors of the economy. For healthcare, for real estate, for hospital and entertainment venues, merchandising and other display strategies help these industries get more value from their available space. Even as many shopping malls are struggling to survive, commercial real estate prices have surged over the last several years, putting additional pressure on companies to optimize and monetize their space.

Working with Big Companies: Essential B2B Tips

Working with large business-to-business clients is a demanding process and making the transition to serving large accounts can be difficult. However, businesses of every shape and size are beginning to work together—whether it’s to improve market reach or PR relations. Access to lending and a global talent market mean that your business may land a contract with a big company. If this happens to you, here’s what you need to know.

Big B2B will change your business. A bigger client means a bigger budget. The extra revenue may help to fund resources you need to go after other businesses (both large and small), so think of large B2B contracts as investments in the future of your company. Additionally, larger companies will often have people in place to make your job simpler. Prominent clients can dramatically raise your profile and working with well-known businesses can boost staff morale and aid in employee fulfillment. A big B2B contract will allow you to “plug in” to larger networks.

 

Your small size is an advantage. Though your company will benefit from big B2B relationships, the larger company will also benefit. They’ll get faster responses, fewer bureaucratic hurdles, and personal relationships to make the process more enjoyable. Additionally, your team will likely be able to provide the outside perspective creative services many big companies seek.

 

Understand the risks. Working with large clients is both fulfilling and challenging. When taking on a massive client, it is essential to recognize how the contract can negatively impact your business. See below for our complete list of risks.

 

  • If you lose a major client, it will take a long time to replace the revenue source. Additionally, losing big clients will often happen without warning, leaving you and your team scrambling to make up the cash. Be sure to maintain additional clients to safeguard against disaster.

 

  • They will be demanding, and large clients will generally have several checks on process and approval requirements. They’re going to use up a lot of your time. To reiterate: do your best to maintain additional clients for the duration of the contract.

 

  • Price negotiation may be out of the question. To that end, becoming reliant on a big client will leave you without bargaining power when renegotiating fees and retainer arrangements.

 

  • They can cost you money. You will likely need to hire additional staff and subcontractors. Additionally, meeting the expectations of a large, demanding client will increase workplace pressure levels.

 

While entering a contract with a large-scale company will, in most cases, dramatically change your business for the better, it is essential to consider every side and outcome of the relationship.

Working at a Big Company: What You Need to Know

Big companies are impressive, and their actions can impact the lives of every American. But what is it like to actually work for one of these massive corporations? Whether you’re flirting with a job offer or simply curious, working at a large company may not provide the lifestyle you’d expect. Below, we’ve outlined the benefits and disadvantages of working at one of the world’s largest companies.

You’ll become part of a large community. Sure, you’ll be working at the same company as a brilliant CEO, or perhaps a company pioneering a new type of technology. It’s never a bad idea to rub elbows with those types of colleagues, but—more importantly—you’ll be launched into a global network of big company workers. Large companies often participate in global and country-wide networking events, meaning you’ll have a greater professional exposure.

 

It will probably come with a lot of perks. Large companies often have some extra money to spend on their employees. In addition to earning a competitive salary, you’ll likely have access to great office amenities, such as a gym, a canteen, or new technology. You might be able to finagle partial funding for another degree, or you could be sent on training retreats around the world. Regardless, your perks will be larger than those at a smaller company.

 

You’ll have more obvious structure. When you’re a part of a large company, you’re entering a machine that’s been in use for a long time. There is an established way of doing things, allowing you to learn the system quickly and effectively. Additionally, you’ll know exactly how you fit into the system, learning the best pathways for promotions and other benefits. Conversely, you won’t have as much room for creativity, but you’ll have a greater sense of stability.

 

You’ll have more room to grow. While your initial role may be specialized, you’ll have the ability to change positions and explore new areas without leaving the company. While you’ll still need to do some hunting, a lot of large companies prefer to hire and promote from within—that’s one less thing for the recruiter to worry about, and the onboarding process will be far easier.

 

Changes happen slowly. If you want to shake things up at your job, a big company may not be the best choice. Even if your company is open to new ideas, getting your department to move to a new model or create a system can take a lot of time, effort, and convincing.

Working at a Fast-Growing Company: What You Need to Know

We all know the benefits and disadvantages of working for large and small companies. However, few resources are able to address what it’s like to work at a fast-growing company. Making this step can be very difficult; these companies can experience a variety of growing pains, and you might not have the type of security that comes with working at a large company. However, signing a contract with a fast-growing company can change your career for the better. Here’s what you need to know.

You’ll never get bored. Fast-growing companies are consistently innovating, allowing employees to truly test the bounds of their creative abilities. Additionally, these businesses often hire individuals to do a variety of jobs. At a large business, you might get a job as a social media monitor. At a smaller, faster-growing company, you may be in charge of generating social media content, engaging the audience, and monitoring.

 

You’ll always have a voice. Employee opinion is the bread and butter of fast-growing companies. If you have ideas, you’ll have the opportunity to pitch them to the people who matter. If accepted, your ideas could be implemented quickly and efficiently—without the bureaucratic mess that may come with introducing ideas at a larger company.

 

You’ll likely have stock options. If you join a company at the ground floor, you might have the opportunity to invest. In small, fast-growing companies, you might be able to turn a substantial profit on this investment.

 

You’ll have access to company leaders. You could spend a decade at a large corporation without ever meeting your CEO. At high-growth companies, you’re likely to get a lot of face time with the executive team. These interactions are incredibly valuable—for both professional connections and educational opportunities.

 

You’ll experience some frustration. Companies often grow faster than they can keep up. Whether that means increasing your personal workload, failing to regulate a specific function, or not understanding the hierarchy within the business, these growing pains can lead to severe frustration. In some cases, this frustration passes as the company is able to catch up with its projects. In some cases, the company is never able to catch up.

 

What’s Different About Today’s Biggest Companies

Today’s biggest companies aren’t the same as they were a generation ago, nor with a few exceptions were those companies the same as the biggest companies from a generation before that. And this is a sign of a healthy, dynamic economy. Fortunes are made by finding and creating the next big thing, not by entrenching in existing industries until their decaying utility makes the entire system collapse and reset. Nevertheless, it’s worth looking at the current-day behavior, effects, and larger consequences of today’s biggest companies.

A Conversation Starter

We recently heard an online interview with PJ O’ Rourke, economic and political writer, who was talking about the new, digital economy when he said:

“You think back 20-30 years ago and you think of the top ten companies and you knew them. You knew what they did; they made stuff. They provided services, and you used that stuff. They made Chevrolets. They made electricity. They made toothpaste. Now, you look at the top corporations and they make what?…Money. Money and trouble as far as I’m concerned.”

Marketing Today’s Big Companies

We’re not sure how much we agree with this view. As was also mentioned in the interview as part of the larger panel discussion: With Amazon, people like being able to buy things online and have them show up at their door step. It may be a different kind of service, but the digital economy delivers, in large part, digital services that make things easier, if the tech itself is complicated to understand.

On the other hand, it’s not entirely satisfying to say that appropriating and then monetizing the world’s social networks is just a different version of making toothpaste. So maybe here’s a better way to put it: We’re not sure how much we disagree with O’ Rourke’s larger point, either. And with this dueling perspective in mind, we wanted to take a deeper dive into how today’s big companies are marketing themselves.

Loyalty Marketing and Customer Success

If, like us, you keep tabs on trends in the marketing industry, you know that many of the buzzword practices currently include loyalty marketing and customer success. You have experts in the industry blogging about how companies need to understand the difference between customer support vs. customer success—with the obvious implication that many businesses need to put more emphasis on the latter. You have big-time digital marketing publications with articles discussing “how businesses can use AI tools to improve customer engagement. You have major marketing agencies, like rDialogue, out there talking about how loyalty marketing is “the root of their company.”

In turn, we wonder if, and how much, this new emphasis on businesses making a deeper connection with their customers is a reaction to the perception that the only thing “today’s biggest companies do is make money and trouble.” Loyalty marketing and customer success are more important than ever because being associated with a positive customer experience is necessary to reassure the customer that the company is offering any “real value” at all.

A New Generation of Socially-Conscious Monopolies?

What are the stakes if the new digital economy continues to churn out winner-take-all companies based on their unquestioned loyalty to their customers. Where does this path eventually lead us? Are we to believe that a new generation of socially-conscious monopolies is going to deliver an economic utopia? With the interconnectedness of customer networks and a business culture in which customer success is so deeply ingrained, will customers continue to have leverage if their success depends on a single company and for which they have no other reasonable choices? Or will the old rules of monopolies apply and loyalty marketing is just a Trojan Horse for price-gouging down the road? We noticed that Amazon Prime membership has gotten more expensive yet again, while you need to use more of their ever-expanding roster of benefits to make the higher membership fee worth the cost. Likewise, we’re skeptical that Facebook’s investment in network security and self-monitoring infrastructure (the one that took a big bite out of future profit projections and thus the company’s market value) was out of any obligation to their customer. Rather, it was to guard against governmental action that would change how the company was regulated, a potentially bigger threat to its bottom-line.