aiko

Sr. Account Executive

Work at a start up acquired by a larger company?

I am interviewing for a start up that was recently acquired by Cisco. They claim that they still have the start up feel to the sales environment but they have even better benefits.

Is this a good option if I prefer to work at a bigger company such as LinkedIn or Salesforce? Or should I stick with pursuing a larger company?

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Lumbergh

Politicker

Sr Account Exec

I'd posit that is the most dangerous time to go to any company as a newbie, and you'll likely get the worst of both worlds. When a bigco buys a startup, it's usually about 6-12 months of status quo as they figure out how to integrate the company into the monolith and after that you are bigco, often overlaid from a sales perspective, meaning you are selling a feature of the mothership and beholden to other bigco reps to tack onto their sales.

The bigco will also do a massive layoff of the acquisition once it's all integrated.

Just go to a bigco if you want a bigco

aiko

Politicker

Sr. Account Executive

🤔 interesting insights here. I am working with a betts recruiter and they are talking it up. I don't necessarily need the start up "experience". I want tailored training to level myself up to enterprise sales.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

I don't understand your post--do you want to work for a startup or do you want to work for a major company?

aiko

Politicker

Sr. Account Executive

I want to work at a major company with a strong reputation as I am early in my sales career. I work at a start up right now and there is only one person higher than me who is working our ent. deals. I want a quicker trajectory.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

You'll learn more and move up the ranks faster at a startup than at Cisco, trust me.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

-1

☕️

I've been on both sides of this story, and I prefer the smaller-scale startups. You build a reputation in a community that is far more powerful, in my opinion, than the big companies. Being one of 5 or one of 500...which sounds like an environment where you can make a mark?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

What part of Cisco? Collab, security?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

@aiko I likey have very relevant info for you... I don't think there is a way to dm here...

aiko

Politicker

Sr. Account Executive

Darn, I wish there was a way to connect separately! Its one of the security divisions.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Hmmm. I'll say that being in security is an important ... "factor"

If that makes sense, let me know. If not, happy to provide general guidance.

aiko

Politicker

Sr. Account Executive

As in, its not going anywhere?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

I have experience working at a security start-up that was acquired by Cisco. There are perks of working at Cisco (ESPP, great health benefits) there are also many downsides. It's very beaucratic and tends to get it its own way. It's also a laggard in the security space (outside umbrella). Can you share anymore about what company/unit you're looking at?

aiko

Politicker

Sr. Account Executive

It’s called Duo! They have great Glassdoor reviews, and I think it’s better to have some corporate experience before going back to a start up. But it’s not technically corporate if it’s only a division, right? I’m still trying to have a better understanding. What do you think?

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

I know this company and space very well. While Duo maintains its brand it is very much part of Cisco. Their product is stagnant and very much a commodity. They have growth in the SMB and emerging markets, but are stalling up market and in the F500. If you're looking to go into the security space and want to be part of a larger company I'd look elsewhere.

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

"They claim that they still have the start up feel to the sales environment but they have even better benefits." Bullllllllllshiiiiiiiiiiiit to the start-up feel.

You're going to work for Cisco. Cisco's supposed to be a great company but there is going to be significant change at this org over the next 24 months.

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

I don't understand your post--do you want to work for a startup or do you want to work for a major company?

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

I don't understand your post--do you want to work for a startup or do you want to work for a major company?

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

ISR

Mr.Floaty

Politicker

BDR

I think $100 per gift is a high starting point unless you’re very selective with your prospects.

Cyberjarre

Politicker

BDR

I think $100 per gift is a high starting point unless you’re very selective with your prospects.

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aiko

Work at a start up acquired by a larger company?

20 comments

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