Question

Topic: Career/Training

Continue To Work Or Start My Own Business

Posted by Anonymous on 5/21/2008 at 5:17 AM ET 250 Points
Right now I am working in a global Logistics Company in Shenzhen, China. I'm responsible for the Warehousing operation of a seasonal project, offering value added services in the warehouse. Since it is a little complicated project, I can see our manager how to control the whole process, and I now have a clear picture of the whole project and how to use several management systems to monitor the whole process.
I can see that if I continue to work in this industry, maybe I can become a professional in managing a warehouse. And China lacks this kind of experts also.
But there is a better chance for me. My Dad started to run a factory manufacturing and selling women's underwears. The brand sells good in China, since it has a good sale point of being functional and hand-made. The monthly turnover exceeds the whole project which may last for 3 months. Money seems to come easier in my Dad's company, and we did very hard in the project, the CM1 is very low.
If I go to my Dad's company, I can start to do marketing which is also my favourite. Since my father does not have any business educational background and lacks modern marketing sence, I just want to help him to catch this golden chance. The underwear market in China is larger and larger; but almost half of the business-owners still run their business in a rough way (they manufacture and then distribute to district distributor), so the competition with them are mild at this stage. They might not have any idea of Warehouse Manamgement, Customer Shopping Experience Caring, Email Database... But after a lot of talents start to join this industry, the competition will be fierce. And I just do not want to lose the oppotunity now.
But in this company, I can see the standard operation and inner control of a global company. My manager told me that the experience in a large company could not help me a lot in running my family's small business. And he suggested me to go to a well-known Chinese Garment-selling company to learn some relative knowledge in this industry.
So now I have 3 options:
1, Continue to work in Logistics to experience a global company.
2, Go back to My Dad's and Father and I shall fight together.
3, Follow my manager's advice and find another job.
The final decision is that I will surely run my family business and make it larger. But now, I have to make a decision.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Neil on 5/21/2008 at 8:25 AM Accepted
    My gut instinct tells me you WANT to go work with your father and it sounds like you do have some solid work experience.

    If that is what you want, go and work with your father and work hard to grow your business. I also think that would be the most enjoyable and rewarding route for you.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 5/21/2008 at 8:57 AM Accepted
    Why not do both? Start by working evenings/weekends for your father. This way you'll have a steady income and perhaps develop some long-term professional contacts that can help you with your Dad's business.

    There are no guarantees in life. If your heart wants to work in your family business, then do so. There will always be opportunities for other jobs, and your skills working in the small business will be useful for other jobs in your future.
  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 5/21/2008 at 9:55 AM Accepted
    First of all, allow me to compliment you. Rarely do young people consider long term options in planning their careers.

    It sounds as though ultimately you will join your fathers business. The question really can be broken into two parts:
    1) will I do better with my families business if I work outside the company and gain experience with other companies that can be brought back to the family business?
    or
    2) If I join my fathers business now, will I add value and learn at the same time.

    Based on these two questions, I would advise you to find a job which allows you to learn from as many of your father's competitors as possible. I would like for you to learn about the industry without influence from your father.

    Regardless of which you do, I have these points of advice.
    1) Build a network of talented people - if you have many friends you can call for advice you will always make better decisions.
    2) Volunteer your leadership to community organizations.
    3) Find a non-family mentor.
  • Posted by jcasalou on 5/21/2008 at 3:50 PM Accepted
    Business is business.

    Knowing how business works in general will allow you to apply that knowledge to any type of business. It seems that you're logistics background should provide you with a foundation to help your dad's manufacturing company.

    The answer is simple really. Look at what's on the table.

    1. You have a business background
    2. You have a passion for marketing
    3. The competition right now is allowing an opportunity for success
    4. This is a family business and if successful it can be yours one day

    These are all reasons that have the potential for success.

    Would it be beneficial for you to have industry experience? Yes. However if you are a savvy enough marketer you will find a way around that through research.
  • Posted by Neil on 5/26/2008 at 3:09 AM Member
    I do not presume to speak for Frank but I think that is correct that you would benefit from a mentor or mentors outside the company.

    That outside mentor or mentors could bring a perspective not possible within the business. This advice could probably apply to just about everyone to get outside mentors in addition to inside mentors.
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