Moving from a Large Company to an SME
14 April 2009
Read by 1481 persons
Three out of four French people have a positive image of SMEs. This is far from the case for large companies. Professionally, leaving a large group for an SME is a career choice that is increasingly appealing to employees, especially executives.
According to a survey conducted by Ipsos-CGPME in February 2006, 76% of French people have a "good image" of small and medium-sized enterprises. This attractiveness is not shared by large companies and particularly multinationals. "Judgements concerning large companies are nuanced (49% positive opinions, 45% negative opinions), and downright critical for multinationals (31% positive judgements against 62% negative opinions)" analyzes Ipsos. In this context, leaving a large company for an SME is increasingly tempting for employees, especially executives. A career choice that requires weighing the pros and cons beforehand.
Defining your priorities
Are you ready to exchange the prestige and reputation of the large company that employs you for more responsibilities and autonomy within a lesser-known company? Are you willing to give up internal advancement opportunities to work in a human-sized company? "After the first part of their career in a large group, some executives turn to SMEs to take on a more significant role in the company's development strategy, to have a one-to-one relationship with the boss and a global vision of their job" explains Franck Hébert, founder of the recruitment firm Hébert Conseil.
A question of salary?
Contrary to popular belief, leaving a large company for an SME does not always mean a loss of salary. "SMEs are aligning themselves with large groups in terms of benefits and profit sharing to attract certain executive profiles from large groups" underlines Franck Hébert. In 2006, APEC's study on executive salaries showed that salary increases for executives employed by SMEs were higher than those granted in large companies.
A choice dictated by a project
Choosing an SME after a career in a large company can also be part of a geographical mobility or business takeover project. "Some executives who wish to leave the Paris region are ready to accept a pay cut to join an SME in the region of their choice. This career choice can also be a stepping stone to taking over a business. An SME owner nearing retirement will recruit an executive from a large group to train them for two or three years before handing over their business" notes Franck Hébert. Finally, for those who wish to change careers, SMEs are a priority target. Indeed, they are often less attached to diplomas than large companies and can offer you the opportunity to retrain, provided you know how to highlight your transferable skills.
Posted online on July 28, 2008
france5.fr
According to a survey conducted by Ipsos-CGPME in February 2006, 76% of French people have a "good image" of small and medium-sized enterprises. This attractiveness is not shared by large companies and particularly multinationals. "Judgements concerning large companies are nuanced (49% positive opinions, 45% negative opinions), and downright critical for multinationals (31% positive judgements against 62% negative opinions)" analyzes Ipsos. In this context, leaving a large company for an SME is increasingly tempting for employees, especially executives. A career choice that requires weighing the pros and cons beforehand.
Defining your priorities
Are you ready to exchange the prestige and reputation of the large company that employs you for more responsibilities and autonomy within a lesser-known company? Are you willing to give up internal advancement opportunities to work in a human-sized company? "After the first part of their career in a large group, some executives turn to SMEs to take on a more significant role in the company's development strategy, to have a one-to-one relationship with the boss and a global vision of their job" explains Franck Hébert, founder of the recruitment firm Hébert Conseil.
A question of salary?
Contrary to popular belief, leaving a large company for an SME does not always mean a loss of salary. "SMEs are aligning themselves with large groups in terms of benefits and profit sharing to attract certain executive profiles from large groups" underlines Franck Hébert. In 2006, APEC's study on executive salaries showed that salary increases for executives employed by SMEs were higher than those granted in large companies.
A choice dictated by a project
Choosing an SME after a career in a large company can also be part of a geographical mobility or business takeover project. "Some executives who wish to leave the Paris region are ready to accept a pay cut to join an SME in the region of their choice. This career choice can also be a stepping stone to taking over a business. An SME owner nearing retirement will recruit an executive from a large group to train them for two or three years before handing over their business" notes Franck Hébert. Finally, for those who wish to change careers, SMEs are a priority target. Indeed, they are often less attached to diplomas than large companies and can offer you the opportunity to retrain, provided you know how to highlight your transferable skills.
Posted online on July 28, 2008
france5.fr
