POST: Is it possible to be entrepreneural within an existing company?

I have recently come in contact with a company which happens to be the leader in our industry.  This company is currently launching a new range of products which according to them are going to create sales opportunities in the mass channel which currently do not exist.  Furthermore, they are willing (or so they say) for this product to be spun out of or incubated to be spun off from the parent company.

All this sounds really interesting to me.  It is appealing to have the resources ($$$) of a large and healthy organization, while enjoying the autonomy and ability to build a culture and organization that is separate and distinct from the mother ship.

But I can't help but ponder, is it really possible to build something that can be truly entrepreneurial and have it flourish inside a larger organization?  For example, how will people feel when they find themselves grinding away the same old way they have for years, only to have this new group emerge beside them who appear to be free to reinvent every aspect of their job and business practice?  Or what happens if the staff working at the parent company all decide they want to imbue their jobs with some more excitement and the way to do that is try something new- i.e. join this new enterprise? 

My sense is that these are great "problems" to wrestle with.  Also, what I didn't tell you is that this company is run by people who don't believe that status quo and taking the safe path is how you build a great company.  So it should be no surprise that less than 5 years ago they sold-out to a larger conglomerate for a tidy sum.  Meanwhile retaining all control and more than doubling the size of their enterprise.

I think I'm going to "go for it".  This is an opportunity to have investors, but investors who really care about your success, not just a GMROI.  Oh, they care about profit to be sure.  But they also care about individual success and personal fulfillment.  Sound to good to be true?  Well as I've written many times, stay tuned for more details...

Comments

[C. Minh]

This is a very good question. I will be "watching" as you say closely... From personal experience it is possible to do what you are trying to do, but only if executive management in the parent organization is closely aligned to your ideals. Good luck!