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The problem with tiny startups is often that people are really inexperienced with people problems. Large corps somewhat fix that by having HR departments and all. But ultimately I'm starting to think today's business often relies on some sort of hype train.

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There are plenty of businesses that don't rely on hype, you just won't find them on HN. The average supermarket chain, steel mill or insurance company just produce valuable goods or services that people and/or businesses want to buy, and they can be stable businesses for decades or even centuries. Hacker news is a forum hosted by a VC that predominantly invests in software startups however, and so you won't find a lot of stories here about companies that don't fit that mold.

I tend to think of HR departments as a people problem, not the solution to one.

HR is often awful, sure. But it helps get the basics right.

My brother works at a small (<100 people) startup in the material sciences, and the amount of times that his and his co-workers pay statements got messed up in creative ways is incredible. Meanwhile I'm working at a decades old big company and never had any problems like that.

Yeah if HR would stick to benefits administration / support and nothing else, I would have no issues with them.

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