     
|
Mike Harris's Blog
Start up guysFriday, April 25, 2008
 I was in the IOD at 123 Pall Mall this week. There's two IOD buildings close together - 117 Pall Mall, which is quite formal and occupied by the captains of industry and 123 Pall Mall which is informal and occupied by start up guys (and gals). It's a useful and lively place to drop in for a coffee, a quick meeting or to do a bit of email. I was meeting Startup Guy (also a member of the IOD) and a couple of members of his team. I got there early and started a tab with a bottle of water and four glasses (classy!).Startup Guy had a quick and contemptous look at the water and went off in search of the waitress. Hot chocolates, lattes, capuccinos and teas soon began arriving with monotonous regularity. When the meeting finished Startup Guy was leaving and I reminded him - "don't forget your tab." It's a pain if you do forget because of course they are holding your card and you have to go back to collect it - I was being helpful. Startup Guy looked at me contemptuously again - "I'm a start up guy , I used your tab".Startup Guy is actually a good friend and I was very happy for him to use my tab but it reminded me of a story he had told me a couple of years ago. He jumped in a cab in Palo Alto in the heart of Silicon Valley and gave the name of a hotel- not one of the smart ones:The taxi driver laughed and said "A start up guy!"The insight here is that start up guys make every penny count ; they stay in cheap hotels, they travel second class , they only use taxis when there is no alternative, they stretch the company's precious cash as far as it can be stretched. This can be a shock for someone coming to work in a start up from the corporate world. It's more fun, more exciting and ultimately it can be a lot more lucrative - but don't expect life's little luxuries, or even necessities, on the company's account!There was a happy ending for me at the IOD this week I ended up bumping into Commercial Guy and laying the tab off to him.
|
|
Post a Comment
<< Home