Evaluating a Career Transition OpportunityYohannes HaileRenee Sanchez is a senior business executive who has spent more than twenty yearsworking in the high tech communications technology industry. She has held seniormanagement positions in several such firms and has supervised a dozen high-techdevelopment projects from idea development through project implementation.But today’s working lunch meeting with her long time friend Gustav Salimon, who so farhas been a successful entrepreneur in several small tech start-ups, may have significantimplications on Renee’s future career. During their working lunch, Gustav shared hisvision for a small start-up business in distributed energy generation and exploration of themini smart grid market segment. He enthusiastically shared with her the identifiedopportunities, spoke enthusiastically about the money to be made, his plans for deliveringvalue, and strategies to raise capital. After enthusiastically sharing his vision about thisbusiness, he asks Renee if she would join his small start-up IDG, Inc., as the CEO. At thetime of this conversation IDG, Inc., has less than ten people working for it, and it hassecured initial funding for the first two years of its operations.Renee is excited and concerned at the same time. She has several questions about theopportunities and challenges of Gustav’s proposal before she makes such a majordecision about her career.Her questions include:1. What is the market potential for these products?2. How difficult is it to find qualified staff for this project?3. What skills will the CEO of this firm need at this time?4. What challenges does Gustav see in this venture?Gustav’s reply:1. The market potential of this segment is estimated to be $40 to $70 millionannually for the first five years2. Some challenges are expected in finding qualified people, but can be resolvedwith some additional training of tech. professionals in the auto sector3.Key skills the CEO needs include forming working relationships with utility &power distribution industry, local regulators and policy makers, recruiting skilledwork force and keeping the work force engaged and motivated4.Completing projects on time, and focusing on the primary business of the firmDiscussion questions:1. What more information does Renee need before she makes a decision?2. Should Renee take this job? Why or why not?
