Loud Thinking

Succeed as a Start-Up Within an Established Business

New growth initiatives can sometimes disrupt an existing business, but it is possible to succeed on both fronts. Two tactics can help an entrepreneurial unit succeed within a bigger company:
Don’t define the battle as “old” versus “new.” Too many people go into existing organizations and define success as recreating what is there. Instead, think about how to utilize existing assets, like a strong network or a devoted customer base. Take advantage of those resources.
Bring in new talent sets. Define your unit’s priority going forward (Is it software platforms? Digital capacity?). Bring in people who understand your goal, and team them up with people who understand the company. Blending new and existing talent can be very powerful.

Adapted by HBR from “How an American Express Executive Drives Growth” by Dan McGinn.