We are currently helping two exciting companies in New York build high performing product teams.

• One company is fairly old and profitable. Let us call it X.
• The other is fairly recent and barely profitable. Let us call it Y.

X has everyone they need to get the job done. We are helping X by doing an organizational assessment and an in-depth GAP analysis. We are helping Y hire new members to their dynamic team. Both share the same goal to grow strategically and become market leaders.

It is enriching to study how both companies differ in their approach to management, leadership, processes, incentive controls, formal structures, culture and most importantly people. I am amazed by folks who still insist that there is one best process or one best structure or one best leadership style.

While helping company Y with their hiring, I asked the CTO what was most important for him when we bring on new people, his answer: “Has the candidate happily worked in a fast-paced startup environment recently?”. I could not agree more.