Why Hiring From Your Direct Competitors Usually Doesn’t Work Out
Screen Shot 2013-04-21 at 7.46.40 PMThe time will come when you
are first tempted to hire someone from your competitor.  They
must know so many things we don’t.  Have so many skills.  It’s
pretty tempting.  People will tell you about the risks in
litigation, trade secrets, etc.  I don’t think any of those are
necessarily a big deal or a showstopper if you do it right — and
if the ROI is there.  But let me tell you – it usually isn’t.
Hiring from your Competitor.  It may sound great.  But it’s
usually not really worth it.  At least not from one direct
competitor SaaS start-up to another.   1.  First, they probably
aren’t that good.  Why leave one start-up and go to a
competitive start-up?  Because you got fired, or underperformed,
at the first company.  It’s the only logical reason.  2. 
Second, they aren’t loyal.  Something happened.  Why weren’t
they loyal to your competitor?  Did they really treat him / her
so badly?  I’m not sure.  They won