Definition of "fast paced" with respect to organization size 6

[keepinitcool]

Hi,

I'm looking at the possibility of moving from a very small company to one of the larger companies in the world. Whenever I see job ads saying "fast paced environment," I wonder what that exactly means.

Has anyone moved from small to large company, or vice versa, and found that to mean anything significant in the way things are done? Because I kind of think every place tends to be fast paced if it is in a field that is competitive with other companies in the market.

Thanks

 

[MikeHalloran]

The phrase 'fast paced' usually means that the place is in utter chaos, so they do everything twice, fast, sloppy.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[HVAC68]

My experience is :

Bigger company ----> Lot of hierarchy -------> More time for decision making -------> Very slow !!!

This is a general comment, though. Larger companies also generally have well-laid out procedures and check-points and can be quite fast in routine kind of work as opposed to specialised kind of work.

Again, this is a very generic comment and may vary depending on your type of business, competition, market, etc., etc.

HVAC68

 

[GregLocock]

I don't know what you mean, we've been running windows xp for at least six months!

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[zdas04]

I just finished what has been deemed a fast paced project for a large Oil company--I designed a $20,000 widget for them 10 months ago, they took 7 months to decide to do the project, then ordered the parts for expedited delivery (4 weeks instead of 12, for a premium price), called the manufacturer every day asking where the parts were, spend a month (after the parts came) getting approval for the Management of Change, gave me 2 days to put it together. The project paid out in 3 days and the company is patting themselves on the butt about their "nimble performance".

I see this a lot in big companies--it takes forever to make a decision, but they want the work done immediately, what they call "fast paced" really means, "once we get around to a decision, you'd better be ready to work around the clock, but don't do any prep work while we're dithering".

David

 

[DaveVikingPE]

"fast paced environment"

Possible translation: you will be expected to bring in new work, i.e., revenue.

 

[MintJulep]

"Fast Paced": Your carefully thought-out and well engineered design will be deemed unacceptable by a bunch of non-technical managers and bueareaucrats at the final design review, forceing you to redo several month's or work in the next few days.

 

[Zapster]

“Fast Pace” is the same as overtime without compensation.

 

[kontiki99]

"Fast Pace" = vanity words to please upper management in the event they bother to see what HR is doing

Sometimes you see "Fortune 100/500," mission statements etc.

It's all the same.

 

[TheTick]

"fast paced" = "We don't have enough people to do the work"

-OR-

"fast paced = "Sales commits to unrealistic timelines and engineering is expected to make up the difference."

 

[rhodie]

"fast paced" = "the rest of us are lazier than the pace dictates"

 

[gregha04756]

"Fast paced" is a euphemism for "Out of control".

Good Luck,
Greg Hansen

 

[epoisses]

Referring to your second question: yes I moved from very big to rather small and it makes a big difference. Corporate strategy can be reinvented and reimplemented overnight and decision-making is done at light speed if necessary. This does not mean sloppy or chaos. Just think of going to the restaurant just the two of you without the kids, that is the kind of "fast pace" that you should compare it with. (Does that sound like paradise or what!?)

Stress and impossible deadlines are independent of company size. Stress is in your head and nowhere else. You let it happen or you don't.

 

[SomptingGuy]

A "fast paced environment" could be one where responsibility increases rapidly for those who can demonstrate an ability to cope with it.

 

[MadMango]

I agree with theTick, "fast paced" usually means you will be required to wear a few different hats, sometimes at the same time.

[green]"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."[/green]
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
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[Comcokid]

A "fast paced environment" can mean any of the things others have posted. Having worked in two different "fast paced environments" at small companies it can mean either of the following:

A) If you have some decision making authority with only moderate cost constraints (i.e. no consumer product design) then fast pace will mean you work on a lot of different things, wear many hats, but will ultimately see many different things shipped out which you had a part of - good experience.

OR

B) If you don't have much decision making responsibility, or products have several cost constraints, then you will chase your tail in endless circles and ultimately end up highly fustrated with little to show for it.

 

[Ashereng]

I have no idea. It's one of those terms that are generic enough the job descriptions all include, but none define.

I have worked in more than my share of companies. They all say fast paced, dynamic, etc. They pretty much all work at the same "pace" from my perspective.

I think it is sort of like car commercial. You can't really come out and say, "We're a medium paced, average company." That's not really good advertisement. Honest, but not effective advertisement.



"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[DaveVikingPE]

SomptingGuy said, "A "fast paced environment" could be one where responsibility increases rapidly for those who can demonstrate an ability to cope with it."

Man, an optimist had to come along and ruin the cynic party...

And does the ability to cope come with increased income - I say "probably." Get the work done quickly, properly and delight your customers: you can't lose...