Sidebar: Father Knows Best

Some parents dream that one day their son or daughter will join them professionally, allowing them the opportunity to work with their kids. For Paul Furdyk, that dream has been inverted. In March, at the age of 45, Paul left his job at NCR Canada Ltd. in order to become VP of sales for BuyBuddy.com -- a startup of which his 18-year-old son, Michael, is a founder.

"I'm sure that I'm not the first parent, nor will I be the last, to be in this type of a situation," Paul says. "Technology has made it possible for youth to innovate very rapidly. We're seeing earlier adoption, we're seeing faster exploitation, and, as a result, we're seeing a quicker entry into the business world for younger people. There will be a significant number of people who will be as successful as Michael is early on in their lives."

For Paul, the decision to take a job with BuyBuddy, a consumer-information and shopping Web site, was an easy one. "They wanted someone more mature to come on board and help them with sales and marketing development," he says. "It just seemed like it would be a good fit for me."

Jennifer Corriero's mother, Mary-Jo, says that she, too, can imagine working with her child someday, perhaps in accounting or in bookkeeping. "I've worked for my family my whole life," Mary-Jo says. "I've worked for my parents' restaurant and for my brother's law firm. And I've always pictured myself doing something with Jennifer. When I've said that to her in the past, her response has been, 'That would be perfect, Mom, because I can't think of a better person than you to trust with things.' "

Yet working with one of your children is not without complications. BuyBuddy's management style is intentionally loose and casual. But, as Paul himself observes, "Parenting is a lot more hierarchical in nature." However, Paul says that this contradiction has not been problematic for him at all: "There's a delineation -- with parenting on one side and business on the other. From a business perspective, Michael and I are on a peer level." Besides, Paul is quick to point out, Michael is unusually mature for his age.

No matter how professional the two Furdyk men are able to act, Paul is still Michael's father. "I'm very, very proud," Paul admits. "Every so often, I kind of pinch myself on the shoulder to make sure that this is real. I have to tell myself, Yes, I am standing here, and yes, I am beside my son."

Sidebar: When do We, Like, Hang Out?

Most teenagers have a lot on their plates: homework, dermatologist's appointments, and the thorny issue of who will be their date for the prom. Michael Furdyk and Jennifer Corriero have even more to contend with: They're consultants to Microsoft. As designated representatives of the Net Generation, their opinions and expertise are in high demand -- which can make for an awfully busy schedule. Herewith, an overview.

10:12 AM Microsoft cafeteria, building 16: Furdyk and Corriero are having breakfast. Their supervisor, Tammy Morrison, whom they have not seen since they returned from a trip to New York, walks by. Corriero jumps out of her seat to embrace Morrison. FC writer is warned that in order to keep up with Furdyk and Corriero, she might want to gulp down several cans of Mountain Dew immediately.

11:38 AM Corriero's office, building 18: Furdyk, Corriero, and Morrison prepare for Furdyk and Corriero's upcoming meeting with Kevin Purcell, director of organizational consulting in human resources. "Any time you meet with someone at that level," Morrison says, "you have to be prepared. Do you own the meeting or do they? You have to be flexible. It can go either way."

12:20 PM Campus shuttle: This shuttle, like all Microsoft shuttles, is stocked with candy. Furdyk and Corriero partake.

12:42 PM Conference room, building 28: Purcell is asking Furdyk and Corriero about how Net Genners break down barriers and achieve a common goal. Purcell says, "Let's do something, instead of just thinking about it."

"Like, do you want to stand up?" Corriero asks.

"Yeah, okay," Purcell says.

The three stand. Nothing happens. Purcell suggests that they try communicating only by writing on the whiteboard. Purcell draws a stick figure surrounded by the words "Help me be creative." Corriero draws a mouse eyeing a piece of Swiss cheese. Furdyk labels the mouse AOL. They all write words such as "energy," "inspiration," and "share."

Several minutes pass, filled with more scribbling. Finally, the silence ends. "That was really good," Corriero says.

"I found it really fun," Purcell agrees. "I especially liked the moments when I lost inspiration myself and felt anxious, and then one of you would do something."

FC writer has no idea what was achieved by the exercise and is deeply embarrassed for everyone present, including herself.