| Indeep that sounds great. Many young people feel they know more than any other generation and want to do it themselves, but that means that many startups end up re-inventing the wheel, when older tried models might help (at least in the case of financing). If you do some other research you will find there are many big mistakes that are made, some with terrible ends, that might have been avoided with some experienced help. How many startups do you think end up as successfull as facebook and google?? Very few startups last, much less grow exponentially. Experience can help these companies avoid making costly mistakes that have already been made by other companies. Even college or an MBA cannot teach what solid experience can teach. The point is, there is room for new innovative blood, but there is also a need for old fashioned knowledge to help protect against running wild and ignorance about industry.
Most innovators don't necessarily come in knowing about all sides of a business. You can be super technically, but that doesn't mean you're an expert on finance or marketing. I just saw a story on 60 minutes about the founder of Facebook, (I believe), and he had made some mistakes that wouldn't have happened with some experienced people around. AND by the way, i know of older workers who do love startups. They are very willing to work at one, hoping to end up with large stock portfolios. These young innovators just have to interview until they find someone who has the experience, yet is open to new ideas. As an IT recruiter with 29 years of experience... BELIEVE me they do exist!
I also think the point is that a good mix of people might make for a better percentage of successful startups! It reminds me of the old adage when I was young : "Never trust anyone over 30". Well guess what...30 comes and goes and you will one day be one of us. :-) I hope you get to work on a new and exciting job and don't get cut out because your're too old and people think you no longer know "anything". |