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Would you follow your partner (boss) to a brand new boutique?

post #1 of 28
4/13/11 at 10:12pm
Thread Starter 
Let's say you're a decent performer for the past two years (right out of undergrad) at a pretty good consulting firm (not MBB). Culture of the current firm is shifting and mostly not for the better. The partner you are under leaves the firm along with a few other higher level people. Later you find out it's to start a boutique consulting firm doing very similar things.

A couple months later, you get offered to join his tiny firm of <5 people. Pay is better and you probably will have more responsibility. Let's say they only have one big contract in place.

Would you do it?
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post #2 of 28
4/13/11 at 10:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by level32 View Post
Let's say you're a decent performer for the past two years (right out of undergrad) at a pretty good consulting firm (not MBB). Culture of the current firm is shifting and mostly not for the better. The partner you are under leaves the firm along with a few other higher level people. Later you find out it's to start a boutique consulting firm doing very similar things.

A couple months later, you get offered to join his tiny firm of <5 people. Pay is better and you probably will have more responsibility. Let's say they only have one big contract in place.

Would you do it?

Yes.
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post #3 of 28
4/13/11 at 10:15pm
Go for it. Unless you're incredibly worried about brand names on your CV this sounds like a pretty interesting gig.
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post #4 of 28
4/14/11 at 12:44am
Easy, take it.
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post #5 of 28
4/14/11 at 1:20am
Even if it doesn't work out for you in the end, your being loyal will be noticed by the partner you follow. I'm sure he will take care of you. Then again, what do I know? I'm a senior about to graduate and I still haven't landed a fucking job. Can you ask him to give me one?
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post #6 of 28
4/14/11 at 2:09am
Will you be the only junior person there?

Who is the client?

What type of project do they have running? Are they interesting and aligned to your aspirations?

How extensive are the Partners' networks?

What are their expansion plans?

How many delivery consultants do they expect to have on board?

What is their contingency if their sole client fails?

Can you go back to your old company?

Can you jump into something else if things go pear shaped?
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post #7 of 28
4/14/11 at 2:15am
Companies are many, a boss you actually like working for.. hard to find.
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post #8 of 28
4/14/11 at 2:17am
How long have you been at your current firm? Do you have plans of going on to bschool? (alternatively, does your firm expect you to go and get the MBA in order to be promoted?) If answers are (1) long enough and (2) yes, then definitely follow your partner, I think.
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post #9 of 28
4/14/11 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenFrog View Post
Even if it doesn't work out for you in the end, your being loyal will be noticed by the partner you follow. I'm sure he will take care of you.

Then again, what do I know? I'm a senior about to graduate and I still haven't landed a fucking job.

Can you ask him to give me one?

Do appreciate your comments. I think our mindset might be more similar due to being relatively close in age. I can definitely see the answer changing depending on age and appetite for risk.

Wish I could hook you up but I'm not even set myself haha

Quote:
Originally Posted by ThatGuy View Post
Will you be the only junior person there?

Who is the client?

What type of project do they have running? Are they interesting and aligned to your aspirations?

How extensive are the Partners' networks?

What are their expansion plans?

How many delivery consultants do they expect to have on board?

What is their contingency if their sole client fails?

Can you go back to your old company?

Can you jump into something else if things go pear shaped?

It depends on what you would consider junior. I think the next person up is ~5 years worth of experience.

I wish I could answer your questions but I can't give out too much information at this point in time.

I really do appreciate your insightful questions though. There is definitely one question that I haven't asked about yet that I need to.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kxk View Post
How long have you been at your current firm? Do you have plans of going on to bschool? (alternatively, does your firm expect you to go and get the MBA in order to be promoted?)
If answers are (1) long enough and (2) yes, then definitely follow your partner, I think.

My current firm doesn't expect MBA to be promoted for one more level ahead of me. I can probably make that level in one more year if I stayed.

I'm planning on going back to school either 2012 or 2013. My dilemma is that the work is in the same category as what I'm doing now (just more interesting), but this overall industry may not be what I want to pursue post-mba.
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post #10 of 28
4/14/11 at 12:30pm
If the boss is a good leader, and you believe in his mission, yea. It is a good opportunity to start small and have a favorable position in place for when the company expands.
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post #11 of 28
4/14/11 at 12:32pm
Yes, if you're young and have nothing to lose, no if you're old and have lots to lose
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post #12 of 28
4/14/11 at 12:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by level32 View Post
Let's say you're a decent performer for the past two years (right out of undergrad) at a pretty good consulting firm (not MBB). Culture of the current firm is shifting and mostly not for the better. The partner you are under leaves the firm along with a few other higher level people. Later you find out it's to start a boutique consulting firm doing very similar things.

A couple months later, you get offered to join his tiny firm of <5 people. Pay is better and you probably will have more responsibility. Let's say they only have one big contract in place.

Would you do it?

Based on what you've said, sure. You haven't provided any reason to stick with the current job, maybe minus not having to be reliant [most likely, temporarily] on one contract.
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post #13 of 28
4/14/11 at 12:50pm
It sounds like it might be a good deal. It depends on if you like your current firm more than you like the one guy you used to work for but if you are willing to work hard (the smaller, new firm should be a lot more work...if it isn't, it is a bad sign) the startup could be a really good move.

Does it come with any equity stake (or at least the opportunity?) In my industry, it seems like a lot of firms that branch off either fold (so the equity wouldn't matter) or have a partner who wants to cash out so they end up selling to a larger firm. It isn't internet-startup type equity gains, but it is something worth thinking about if you are in on the ground floor.
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post #14 of 28
4/15/11 at 11:38am
Go for it!!!!!!!!!
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post #15 of 28
4/15/11 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JhwkMac View Post
Companies are many, a boss you actually like working for.. hard to find.

This is very true in my experience.
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