Large to a small family company? Pros and cons
Discussion
I’m considering a job offer from small family run company to take ownership of their maintenance. I currently work in a rather large plant hire company and it hasn’t worked out as planned mainly due to internal politics and a hidden agenda from the hiring Director.
I’ve never worked for a smaller company so I was just wondering what people see the pros and cons might be as there may be some I’ve not considered.
By all accounts the company is well respected in their area business however the run older equipment and their Workshop is certainly interesting to say the least.
TIA
I’ve never worked for a smaller company so I was just wondering what people see the pros and cons might be as there may be some I’ve not considered.
By all accounts the company is well respected in their area business however the run older equipment and their Workshop is certainly interesting to say the least.
TIA
Edited by white2lsr on Tuesday 11th October 22:08
Main observation I've had working with small family firms is to be prepared for the family to close ranks and protect its own.
No idea what level you're going in at but if you're trying to manage a youngster who is part of the family, they may be totally useless but unsackable due to the family connection. Likewise, family tiffs will carry over to the workplace.
Also, they will likely look after their own and any promotions or progression will naturally end up going to family. Unlikely to end up with a seat in the boardroom if that's what you're going after.
YMMV but that's my experience at least.
No idea what level you're going in at but if you're trying to manage a youngster who is part of the family, they may be totally useless but unsackable due to the family connection. Likewise, family tiffs will carry over to the workplace.
Also, they will likely look after their own and any promotions or progression will naturally end up going to family. Unlikely to end up with a seat in the boardroom if that's what you're going after.
YMMV but that's my experience at least.
It can be a very nice experience. If the family is nice, the company well run and you do good work, you can find yourself becoming or treated like part of the family as well as the firm. The only downside to this is that you may find yourself developing 'over-loyalty' to them denying yourself opportunities to move on and up in the future.
Downside is that family feuds can fester and affect the workplace meaning you get caught up in stuff that doesn't directly affect you. And succession in the business will always prioritise family meaning those from the family subordinate to you may well become your boss at some point.
Downside is that family feuds can fester and affect the workplace meaning you get caught up in stuff that doesn't directly affect you. And succession in the business will always prioritise family meaning those from the family subordinate to you may well become your boss at some point.
The facilities in my current role are fantastic. It has however become a toxic place to work as it turns the MD employed me due to my background in Fleet maintenance management as he wanted rid of the current workshop manager.
I did get a very good warm fielding from the father and son that run the company. It’s a company that down line marking so it’s rather varies with all the systems they use.
I did get a very good warm fielding from the father and son that run the company. It’s a company that down line marking so it’s rather varies with all the systems they use.
Depends on your background. I went from director role in a 2bn turnover corporation with 4k employees to an SME business with 55 employees, the culture shock was significant.
As an example at the new place the MD would start the daily meetings with "innuendo of the day" and then come out with some horrifically sexist or sexual joke as if it were normal behavior. If you are used to well defined process and procedures following corporate guidelines then you may not find those in the small family business.
As an example at the new place the MD would start the daily meetings with "innuendo of the day" and then come out with some horrifically sexist or sexual joke as if it were normal behavior. If you are used to well defined process and procedures following corporate guidelines then you may not find those in the small family business.
Family business - this can mean many things.
It may be friendly and welcoming, but you arent family, they may make you feel welcome, but ultimately its their business to make money. You are an expense that they will want to minimise as much as possible. Not many small family companies pay over the odds for their employees. I got called on sunday mornings to come in and sort things urgently etc. I was treated like family to their benefit, but not paid as such...
Maybe thats my bitter experience, or maybe thats the way for most family companies, I dont know.
I am now in a large corporation. Defined ways to move up. Clear pay rules that have been tried and tested etc. Good benefits. Many different managers, most of them good.
It may be friendly and welcoming, but you arent family, they may make you feel welcome, but ultimately its their business to make money. You are an expense that they will want to minimise as much as possible. Not many small family companies pay over the odds for their employees. I got called on sunday mornings to come in and sort things urgently etc. I was treated like family to their benefit, but not paid as such...
Maybe thats my bitter experience, or maybe thats the way for most family companies, I dont know.
I am now in a large corporation. Defined ways to move up. Clear pay rules that have been tried and tested etc. Good benefits. Many different managers, most of them good.
Get a clear picture of the company finances first (companies house or whatever)
That goes for any small company, not just family owned ones (although they tend to run hand in hand)
I was approached by a family firm to run the Irish operation, while the patriarch explored business leads on the continent. 6 euro and 5 minutes later it was obvious that the company I would be running was in debt up to its eyeballs, mainly to the wife's company which "ringfenced" cash nicely away from the other company.
And they had been propping it up with equity from their house, which had nearly run out.
Loons, the pair of them.
Was a pity, as the main product they sold, developed by himself, was easily the best in it's class I've seen worldwide. They could just have licensed the damn thing worldwide and made a fortune while sat on their arses in the med.
If they ever lose copyright/patent on it I'll be all over it
M.
That goes for any small company, not just family owned ones (although they tend to run hand in hand)
I was approached by a family firm to run the Irish operation, while the patriarch explored business leads on the continent. 6 euro and 5 minutes later it was obvious that the company I would be running was in debt up to its eyeballs, mainly to the wife's company which "ringfenced" cash nicely away from the other company.
And they had been propping it up with equity from their house, which had nearly run out.
Loons, the pair of them.
Was a pity, as the main product they sold, developed by himself, was easily the best in it's class I've seen worldwide. They could just have licensed the damn thing worldwide and made a fortune while sat on their arses in the med.
If they ever lose copyright/patent on it I'll be all over it
M.
Mortarboard said:
Get a clear picture of the company finances first (companies house or whatever)
That goes for any small company, not just family owned ones (although they tend to run hand in hand)
I was approached by a family firm to run the Irish operation, while the patriarch explored business leads on the continent. 6 euro and 5 minutes later it was obvious that the company I would be running was in debt up to its eyeballs, mainly to the wife's company which "ringfenced" cash nicely away from the other company.
And they had been propping it up with equity from their house, which had nearly run out.
Loons, the pair of them.
Was a pity, as the main product they sold, developed by himself, was easily the best in it's class I've seen worldwide. They could just have licensed the damn thing worldwide and made a fortune while sat on their arses in the med.
If they ever lose copyright/patent on it I'll be all over it
M.
What is the product? That goes for any small company, not just family owned ones (although they tend to run hand in hand)
I was approached by a family firm to run the Irish operation, while the patriarch explored business leads on the continent. 6 euro and 5 minutes later it was obvious that the company I would be running was in debt up to its eyeballs, mainly to the wife's company which "ringfenced" cash nicely away from the other company.
And they had been propping it up with equity from their house, which had nearly run out.
Loons, the pair of them.
Was a pity, as the main product they sold, developed by himself, was easily the best in it's class I've seen worldwide. They could just have licensed the damn thing worldwide and made a fortune while sat on their arses in the med.
If they ever lose copyright/patent on it I'll be all over it
M.
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