Corporate world for long has used designations as an ego booster for its employees, creating complex hierarchical structures. The well-defined job roles that exist in big organizations perhaps even make it necessary. On the other hand, startups, the antithesis of established organizations in more ways than one, instead of following the pomp and circumstance of serious sounding designations are making their own set of rules and making up designations to achieve a flat structure. No matter, how unusual or quirky they may sound.
Considering most startups are started under informal circumstances following office protocol doesn't seem to figure high enough on their priority list.
Bipin Preet Singh, Co-founder, Mobikwik who founded his company in his flat, while describing his home that doubled up as an office says, "Just as soon as you enter, there is a drawing room and we kept 2 tables. Myself and 2-3 first level employees used to sit together and work on those tables, so it never occurred to me that we are going to build lot of processes or hierarchy in the organization. So I think these quirky designations help in achieving that a lot, they act as perfect conversation starters and ice breakers."
Diwanshu Pahwa whose role is not very different from that of an Office Administrator, chose 'Jack of Jagaad' as his designation during the job interview conducted by the 'Chief Everything Officer' and the 'Chief Delights Officer' of Smartprix, a Noida based startup.
Taking a little break from talking to us to address a situation at work, he was heard instructing his sub-ordinates to buy fake fruits for a photoshoot instead of real ones', explaining why he asked for fake fruits instead, he says 'fake fruits can be used again!' highlighting his wisdom behind choosing his designation.
Marked by an absence of cubicles, employees in startup offices like Mobikwik's look completely different from their corporate world counter parts. If sitting by the window and chit chatting with colleagues while working makes you more creative, so be it!
While some startups have emerged as pioneers of the trend, few others that we spoke with, think it is indeed a great idea and are planning to start the practice of new-age designations in their startups.