Unlike small companies, larger companies (500 people or more) generally have formal software and hardware policies in place. Having done work in both types of companies (including major Fortune 500 companies), you might think that the policies are all alike.
Well – surprise, they’re not.
One of the largest software companies in the world let me bring in my own software tools, and did not worry about me making a mess of their networks. Another company – an aerospace company – was so air-tight that even FREE programs had to go through their Requisitions and Purchasing departments. Even with mid-level managers saying that I should be able to test the software to see if it was something usable by others in the company.
When you’re dealing software and you want to approach a major company, first get a bead on what kinds of polices they have.
If they’re loose, like the software company at which I worked (you’d know the name if I mentioned it), then it might be worthwhile approaching anyone you know within the company. I think of this as the “post-its” model.
One of the many stories about the origin of Post-Its™ is that an engineer at 3M was trying to develop a very strong adhesive. Instead he got a very weak one. He had a bunch of tablets all held together with the adhesive and, rather than let them go to waste, he just dropped them on everyone’s desk, letting them figure out if they could use them. When they started clamoring for more, Post-Its™ was born.
If the company is has a much more restrictive and formal policy in place – those that work with the Government tend to be exceptionally tight on this because of government requirements – you will need to go through Purchasing. Thus it behooves you to get to know the players at such companies.
And this is true, even if every bit of your contact is online. Don’t make the mistake that I’ve seen many make of thinking that “online” means “relaxed.” The two are not related; treat your online contacts with the same seriousness as you do your “real world” contacts. After all, is there any other world than the “real” one?
- Bal
