Insights of a Maverick Exit Advisor_Sample

INSIGHTS OF A MAVERICK EXIT ADVISOR
Mortgage
and Payroll
10
“
usiness Man” – read the status description of a former
Bcolleague on an association website. Last I checked, he
was the employee of a bank… and sure enough, he still
worked for the same.
“Intrapreneur” – quipped a retired executive upon my
question of what he did for a living. “This is what you call
individuals who autonomously create businesses inside
companies” – he explained.
A couple of my friends started an internet business when a
conglomerate funded their business idea. The enterprise lasted
until the seed capital ran out. The “founders” then took refuge in
middle management jobs at a local bank.
My own mindset was similar fifteen years ago, when in
charge of the corporate finance department of a Central
European commercial bank. Management knew little of the
investment banking business and I enjoyed substantial
autonomy in picking colleagues and going after clients. “Heck,
why be an entrepreneur when I can enjoy all the freedom AND
be sure of a salary check?” – I thought.
My euphoria lasted until the bank was hit by a slow
summer, and on an early September Friday afternoon, I and my
deputy got fired. My staff was shocked and promised to jump
with us to a competitor… but by Monday all was forgotten. “My
intrapreneurial business” turned out to have been just a job.
The ensuing years have taught me what entrepreneurship
is all about. It has nothing to do with building a business… That
can be done by a hired hand who enjoys the confidence of, and
g e t s a b u d g e t f r o m , t h e i r e m p l o y e r o r i nvestors.
Entrepreneurship begins where your business hits a rough spot
and you commit family silver to keep it alive. When you