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I was one of the early folks at eBay, and by 1999, it was…

“I was one of the early folks at eBay, and by 1999, it was completely overrun by consultants from McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. It went from being a cool, fun startup to an MBA factory.” quote by Gil Penchina
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“I was one of the early folks at eBay, and by 1999, it was completely overrun by consultants from McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. It went from being a cool, fun startup to an MBA factory.”

Gil Penchina

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Describes eBay's shift from innovative startup to consultant-driven MBA factory.

In simple terms: eBay lost its startup spirit to consulting influence.

Key Takeaway

Beware of over‑consulting in growth.

Themes

growth consulting culture

Mood

analytical critical

Type

reflective business

When to use this quote

  • scaling startups
  • maintaining culture
  • consultant impact

Key Concepts

organizational change management styles

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is external advice beneficial?
  • How to balance innovation with structure?
A Different Perspective

Consultants can also bring valuable expertise.

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