THE BEECHMONT CREST CAREER GUIDE:
SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN THE CORPORATE JUNGLE
Chapter 1: What do Employers Want?
On bureaucracy and red tape
“Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned.”
-Milton Friedman
Small companies have less of a tendency to develop bureaucracy and red tape. Since they have smaller cash flows, and must therefore be more vigilant against wasteful practices. Secondly, small companies are often headed by entrepreneurs who despise red tape themselves (often as a result of a previous professional life as an employee of a large corporation).
Large corporations have to manage more complex operations, and cope with the competing interests of multiple decision makers. This necessitates an extensive system of checks and balances, which inevitably means more “red tape.” If you go to work for a large corporation, then you need to accept a certain amount of bureaucracy as part of the bargain. If you are really, really bothered by the idea of wearing a photo id badge or filling out requisition forms in triplicate, then perhaps a large corporation is not the place for you.
Copyright 2006 Beechmont Crest Publishing