I’ve worked at large companies and startups and know dozens of people who’ve done the same. Everyone comes across those companies who, from all outside opinion, should be regarded as “Technology” companies but end up labeling themselves as something different.
The label is important because it highlights a company’s focus. A service company focuses on service. A media company focuses on media. A hospitality company, you guessed it, focuses on hospitality.
For technology enthusiasts, it’s important to work at a company who respects, invests in, and fosters a solid technology foundation and culture.
How do you know if you work in a technology company?
If you could replace all the technology in your company with a purchased, widely available solution, would you and would the company’s value change?
If the company would still be able to provide the same value at the same cost, you are not in a technology company.
If a substantial portion of your company’s value would immediately disappear, you have a technology company on your hands! Congratulations!
This is an important question to ask yourself because it allows you to recognize warning signs earlier and to make sure you are in a job that you can be happy with over the long term.
This is important.
Recognizing a company’s identity allows leadership to recognize where it can compromise and where it can’t. If a company is conflicted on its identity then it suffers from the inside out with competing interests and lack of focus.
What does this mean for you?
If you find that you are not in a technology company and want to be, you need to leave. You are not going to get what you need and you are fighting what is best for the company.
If you are in a technology company and you are reading this post, you probably have some concerns. Does your leadership recognize they are running a technology company? Do you have a technology leader that can make and execute necessary decisions? Is staffing engineering as important as every other department, or is it anemic and overworked? Is engineering the most respected department in the company, or is it labelled as “IT” and ignored?
If your shoulders drooped at any of these questions, you have some important decisions to make. The most beneficial thing you can do for yourself throughout your career is to distill your future into as few easily assessable scenarios as possible.
If you’re happy, keep doing what you’re doing only more so. Make sure you are learning things that can be transferred to other companies.
If you’re not happy, try to change the company so that it’s a place you want to work. If it works, then great! If it doesn’t, then you know you need to go. If you happen to get fired for your efforts then even better, the choice was made for you!
Figure out where you are, figure out where you want to go, and make sure you act when you see things aren’t working out for you.