ese dynamics just might out-weigh the risk. I liken start-ups to riding in a sexy, sleek sports car. There is a lot of power, velocity, creativity and appeal, but if you hit a wall, you probably won’t make it out alive. On the flip side, medium size companies with flat organizations mean you’ll have to wait for someone to get fired or retired to get the next1. Work/life Balance. This is something both companies and employees are striving for. Employees want a life and companies want to avoid costly burnout that affects productivity and quality. Fortune’s 2005 “100 Best Companies to Work For” showcased how culture is key. Using criteria that included benefit programs, health care and paid time off, the 100 best were broken out between 37 large companies; 34 mid-sized companies and 29 small companies demonstrating that good things can come in all sizes.

2. Resources. Resources and support are indicated as key reasons large organizations can attract accomplished professionals. True “means to an end” resources allow employees to focus on the core responsibilities of their job instead of spending time handling administrative or nonessential and unimportant tasks.

3. Bureaucracy. Culture will definitely affect this, but as a rule, larger companies have deeper layers and more complex issues that intensify the need for tighter rules and regulations and all the red tape that accompany them. As a result, the decision-making process and implementation ability can be slower and more cumbersome in a larger company then a smaller one.

4. Job Advancement. Start-up companies can offer the most rapid advancement opportunities but it is important to remember there is a risk factor tied into the thrill ride. If you are jazzed by speed, challenge, opportunity and change, these dynamics just might out-weigh the risk. I liken start-ups to riding in a sexy, sleek sports car. There is a lot of power, velocity, creativity and appeal, but if you hit a wall, you probably won’t make it out alive. On the flip side, medium size companies with flat organizations mean you’ll have to wait for someone to get fired or retired to get the next

were broken out between 37 large companies; 34 mid-sized companies and 29 small companies demonstrating that good things can come in all sizes.

2. Resources. Resources and support are indicated as key reasons large organizations can attract accomplished professionals. True “means to an end” resources allow employees to focus on the core responsibilities of their job instead of spending time handling administrative or nonessential and unimportant tasks.

3. Bureaucracy. Culture will definitely affect this, but as a rule, larger companies have deeper layers and more complex issues that intensify the need for tighter rules and regulations and all the red tape that accompany them. As a result, the decision-making process and implementation ability can be slower and more cumbersome in a larger company then a smaller one.

4. Job Advancement. Start-up companies can offer the most rapid advancement opportunities but it is important to remember there is a risk factor tied into the thrill ride. If you are jazzed by speed, challenge, opportunity and change, these dynamics just might out-weigh the risk. I liken start-ups to riding in a sexy, sleek sports car. There is a lot of power, velocity, creativity and appeal, but if you hit a wall, you probably won’t make it out alive. On the flip side, medium size companies with flat organizations mean you’ll have to wait for someone to get fired or retired to get the next

s of their job instead of spending time handling administrative or nonessential and unimportant tasks.

3. Bureaucracy. Culture will definitely affect this, but as a rule, larger companies have deeper layers and more complex issues that intensify the need for tighter rules and regulations and all the red tape that accompany them. As a result, the decision-making process and implementation ability can be slower and more cumbersome in a larger company then a smaller one.

4. Job Advancement. Start-up companies can offer the most rapid advancement opportunities but it is important to remember there is a risk factor tied into the thrill ride. If you are jazzed by speed, challenge, opportunity and change, these dynamics just might out-weigh the risk. I liken start-ups to riding in a sexy, sleek sports car. There is a lot of power, velocity, creativity and appeal, but if you hit a wall, you probably won’t make it out alive. On the flip side, medium size companies with flat organizations mean you’ll have to wait for someone to get fired or retired to get the next

n-making process and implementation ability can be slower and more cumbersome in a larger company then a smaller one.

4. Job Advancement. Start-up companies can offer the most rapid advancement opportunities but it is important to remember there is a risk factor tied into the thrill ride. If you are jazzed by speed, challenge, opportunity and change, these dynamics just might out-weigh the risk. I liken start-ups to riding in a sexy, sleek sports car. There is a lot of power, velocity, creativity and appeal, but if you hit a wall, you probably won’t make it out alive. On the flip side, medium size companies with flat organizations mean you’ll have to wait for someone to get fired or retired to get the next

ese dynamics just might out-weigh the risk. I liken start-ups to riding in a sexy, sleek sports car. There is a lot of power, velocity, creativity and appeal, but if you hit a wall, you probably won’t make it out alive. On the flip side, medium size companies with flat organizations mean you’ll have to wait for someone to get fired or retired to get the next promotion. The larger the company, the longer it can take to move up through the ranks.

5. Company Growth. With companies of all sizes participating in the merge and acquire strategy, growth is no longer limited to sales projections and new product releases. Greater market share and revenue generation are often the result of acquisitions and partnerships. However, The Center for Simplified Strategic Planning Inc. has found that “as the economy has gained efficiency through technology and globalization, small companies have tended to lead the way into new niches and markets. As a result, job growth at all levels in smaller companies has consistently outpaced opportunities in large companies.” That said, based on research conducted by ExecuNet, search firms expect the greatest growth in 2005 to be in medium sized organizations.

6. Job Security. In a study done by Applied Research Corporation, it was found that small companies (not to be confused with start-ups) offer the most job security. They said “a small size organization that has strong management can more easily adapt to fluctuations in the market. In addition, smaller privately held firms have demonstrated greater tenacity, more patience in their strategic direction and a lower tendency to shut down profitable operations. The best bet is a rapidly growing smaller company in an emerging industry.”

7. Influence. Pick your poison - Start–ups represen