Why I love working in a small business

Aug 2

By Anonymous

If you had asked me 5 years ago if I would work for a small company, I would have wholeheartedly refused. In fact, I did. I felt that big companies are more secure, provide opportunities to grow, and come with a team of people that can support you.

I have changed my mind.

Here are the six reasons why I love working in a small business.

1) Autonomy. I don't have roadblocks to get the job done. My company supports my autonomy and counts on me for my judgment and independence. I am encouraged to make decisions and create a schedule that best support our customers. If there is a problem to solve, I am expected to solve it in a way that meets the customer needs and reduces risk to the organization.

2) Ownership. It's more than a job. The things I do everyday matter to a whole team of people. I am my customers' advocate. I have the power of a well-structured business behind me to meet my customer needs and solve problems.

3) Opportunities to Grow. There are times when it has been intimidating, but looking back, my small company challenged me to grow in ways that a large organization never would. I came to this small business as a skilled project manager with no knowledge in defense. Now, I not only execute with confidence, but I am also responsible to establish procedure and policy so future employees can learn the industry faster.

4) Making a Difference. I am not simply a doer. I must think and look at how my actions will impact the future of the company. We are all called upon to resolve issues, even if that means setting aside my own work for the moment and jumping in to help the team.

5) Accountability. It would be clear to everyone if I didn't do my job. But I'm a hard worker and my small business sees that. I don't feel like a cog in a large machine. Instead, I feel like my work is paramount to the success of our customers, our vendors, and the people in our organization.

6) Impact. The best reason of all is my ability to make an impact. My company has a mission that is meaningful to me. It's a privilege to know that my work matters for something bigger than corporate bottom line.