Slashdot Mirror
Relocating an Entire Software Engineering Team?
An anonymous reader asks: "I was recently laid off, along with the entire Vancouver Development Centre, from a large network security company. The software engineering team at our office has performed well and is highly cohesive. I was wondering if anyone at Slashdot has been in a similar situation and the probability/prospects of being able to start a new venture with the existing team. I'm sure most understand the importance of a good team, and the time it takes to grow one. Is it worthwhile for the core team to pursue a new venture or should we all just disband and go our separate ways? Where might we find someone with the entrepreneurial mindset to take advantage of this great resource?"
Myself and two friends left an IT solutions company after being laid off. We all got on somewhere else and interviewed together. We had enough skills on the table between the three of us to convince the employer we could do the job of six-ten people. (Which is what companies want first and foremost.) Now all three of us just got huge raises and a solid contract guaranteeing employment. After ten years in IT, we are finally appreciated.
You're unlikely to find some kindhearted individual/company ready to take on an entire group of people with their associated costs.
However, I would suggest that if they've been saving a bit and aren't living paycheck to paycheck, starting a consulting company and chipping in to hire a sales/marketing person might be a viable alternative. Especially if the team has contacts with customers that could be persuaded to stay with the people they know, instead of your old company.
As always, consult a lawyer before doing anything, and if you signed away your soul in your employment agreement, be careful...