Managing growth in the high-tech industry: the size of your company dictates your approach to developing successful employee partnerships.(MANAGER'S FORUM)

High technology companies, specifically electronic manufacturers, vary in many ways. Corporate culture differs from company to company. These are factors to consider before joining a company.

Over the span of my 30-year career, I have observed many corporate cultures. My overall perception is that company size, stage of growth, and location all affect employee development.

To simplify the issue, I will focus on three company sizes--small with less than $10 million in sales, mid-size having less than $100 million in sales, and multinational exceeding $100 million in sales with offices worldwide--and some key differences including recruitment, motivation, and employee retention. A common element in all companies is great people. However, different people will excel in different organizations.

Particular Needs of Each Company

Small companies put great demands on their employees. Individuals are asked to multitask just so the company can survive. Resources usually are scarce. Prioritizing work seems impossible because every task is a priority.

Most small companies have a limited product offering. Because of the small number of products, survival of the company relies on consistent delivery of these products. Also, if a problem occurs, everyone involved with the product gets called to solve it, stealing time away from other projects. …

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