I had the privilege to spend quite a bit of time in Silicon Valley over the past 3-4 years for business and had many discussions with a company executives who during the early boom years were having a hard time holding on to seasoned employees. They were leaving in droves for the .com companies. I visit this company recently and I see people in the hallways that I have not seen in several years. They have been re-hired probably at lower salaries and working for people that used to work for them.
They lost in the gamble of quick riches. Reminds me when I came back from Overseas in 1997 I had the Internet start-up fervor only to have to have my next work assignment having me stuck in Southern Maryland the hub of technology :( So being venture capitalist were knocking my door down to promote my ideas.
I had the brilliant idea to build my endeavor on my own venture capitol mainly Visa/Master-card. I learned allot about business and also learned that you probably should not finance a small business on the back of credit cards. We did not go broke but we didn’t make a hell of a lot of money either.
So I think the next time I go to Silicon Valley I am gonna go with some of my old business plans and try and do it right the 2nd time around and score some cash wonder if anyone will throw some my way. I guess if we can show were we went wrong in round 1 maybe round 2 will work out. Life in Silicon Valley may never be the same but at least the scientist and engineers can do what they do best. [Anchorage Daily]