They’re starting companies. Heck, even some of your worst employees are starting companies.
If you’re not treating them like you value them, sooner or later they’re going to look for an exit strategy. And if they’ve never thought about starting a company — and there may be ten people who haven’t — the latest issue of Business 2.0 clues them.
In 5 ways to start a company (without quitting your day job), Erick Schonfeld details five startups that started during work and went on to great things. It’s definitely worth a read.
And on the B2 blog, he details the five steps to moving straight from a day job to being your own boss:
- Use Your Salary as Funding
- Turn Common Complaints Into a Business Plan
- Make Your Boss a Beta Tester
- Cash In On Your Company’s Reputation
- Convert Your Employer Into a Business Partner
Cost-of-living raises and nominal bonuses don’t say, “You’re an important part of this company.” They say, “This is the minimum we have to do, and if you leave we can just replace you — and probably pay your replacement less than we were paying you. It’s really a win-win for us.”
If you can’t answer the question, “Why would a top-level employee want to work here?” you’re probably already starting to see the exodus.
Comments
I just found you through May, of aboutanurse.com - a timely post in my life, as I am kicking around the idea of starting a small home-based internet business… seeing where it takes me, if it remains small, fine, if it becomes big, fine also.