Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
(OP)
Hi,
I'm looking at the possibility of moving from a very small company to one of the larger companies in the world. Whenever I see job ads saying "fast paced environment," I wonder what that exactly means.
Has anyone moved from small to large company, or vice versa, and found that to mean anything significant in the way things are done? Because I kind of think every place tends to be fast paced if it is in a field that is competitive with other companies in the market.
Thanks
I'm looking at the possibility of moving from a very small company to one of the larger companies in the world. Whenever I see job ads saying "fast paced environment," I wonder what that exactly means.
Has anyone moved from small to large company, or vice versa, and found that to mean anything significant in the way things are done? Because I kind of think every place tends to be fast paced if it is in a field that is competitive with other companies in the market.
Thanks





RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Bigger company ----> Lot of hierarchy -------> More time for decision making -------> Very slow !!!
This is a general comment, though. Larger companies also generally have well-laid out procedures and check-points and can be quite fast in routine kind of work as opposed to specialised kind of work.
Again, this is a very generic comment and may vary depending on your type of business, competition, market, etc., etc.
HVAC68
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
I see this a lot in big companies--it takes forever to make a decision, but they want the work done immediately, what they call "fast paced" really means, "once we get around to a decision, you'd better be ready to work around the clock, but don't do any prep work while we're dithering".
David
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Possible translation: you will be expected to bring in new work, i.e., revenue.
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Sometimes you see "Fortune 100/500," mission statements etc.
It's all the same.
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
-OR-
"fast paced = "Sales commits to unrealistic timelines and engineering is expected to make up the difference."
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
"fast paced" = "the rest of us are lazier than the pace dictates"
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Good Luck,
Greg Hansen
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Stress and impossible deadlines are independent of company size. Stress is in your head and nowhere else. You let it happen or you don't.
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
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RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
A) If you have some decision making authority with only moderate cost constraints (i.e. no consumer product design) then fast pace will mean you work on a lot of different things, wear many hats, but will ultimately see many different things shipped out which you had a part of - good experience.
OR
B) If you don't have much decision making responsibility, or products have several cost constraints, then you will chase your tail in endless circles and ultimately end up highly fustrated with little to show for it.
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
I have worked in more than my share of companies. They all say fast paced, dynamic, etc. They pretty much all work at the same "pace" from my perspective.
I think it is sort of like car commercial. You can't really come out and say, "We're a medium paced, average company." That's not really good advertisement. Honest, but not effective advertisement.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size
Man, an optimist had to come along and ruin the cynic party...
And does the ability to cope come with increased income - I say "probably." Get the work done quickly, properly and delight your customers: you can't lose...