Without going into specifics, I will lay out the situation, and you guys tell me what your instincts suggest. I have a business proposal being reviewed by four companies. I can choose only one to sign a contract with, if they offer to do so.

Two of them are large and well established; I would love to go with either one, but I suspect they will take a long time to respond.

The other two are just starting, but the people I have dealt with from each one are very experienced and knowledgeable in the field. If I choose any of these, I would be taking a chance on a new venture, to some extent.

Which would you choose? If one of the smaller / new companies responds with an offer, would you wait to hear from the big ones or jump on it?

Thanks!

Sometimes we have to take risks in our lives and hope that they benefit us, if it was my 1st business I would be more inclined to go with the most experienced company. You can't beat experience and when you are more experienced yourself dealing with companies then maybe take risks on the more newer companies.

My first instinct is to go with the larger companies, because you have a better chance of that working out very well for you. However, if one of the smaller companies offers first, I would grab it. I would be worried about you saying no to the smaller company, waiting for the larger one, and then them not responding at all.

I would say, whoever offers first, take it, because it sounds to me like you feel very strongly about all of the companies. If you got a bad vibe from any of them, I would say pass it up.

Yes, that's exactly what I think. I would love it if one of the biggies responded first, but it is not likely to happen. And if a smaller one offers, I would feel terrible if I refuse, wait for the big ones, and then get a "no" from them.

Thanks for your input everyone.

Yeah I say give the small company a shot. You can gain a lot of experience in them since you said that their employees are great.

You really have to balance everything and be willing to take risk on whatever eager beaver decision you'll come up. You don't you follow with said to follow your instinct? Sometimes they are also helpful to us.

Well business is full of risks and choices. It is how you manage those risks that counts. I would strongly suggest that you look for the stability and versatility of the company you are dealing before engaging to it because i'm quite sure you will invest your time and money to work for the services you are trying to offer so take a calculated risks.

Hmm... this is a tough situation. I still think going for the bigger one is best, but you know what's going on more than we do, so you gotta weigh out the pros and cons. I mean, how likely is it for you to get accepted by the large company and get that extra cash? Is it worth risking getting nothing at all? Or should you go with the smaller one that's more likely but you make less. Could you later work up to something larger??? Just a few things I thought you might wanna think about...

Thanks, you are right. I had a lot to think about, and since my proposal did not have to be exclusive, I went ahead and submitted it to both the big guys and the small one. The small one was quicker to respond (of course), but eventually declined. The biggies are playing the waiting game on me. We'll see what happens.

Gosh that's a bummer! Good thing you were able to work on both of em. You would think the smaller one would have needed you. hmm.. well, good luck!!!