Help on O visa/GC application

Currently I am on H1B visa status (academic) and got an intriguing offer from an industrial company. Here are some questions I had and I appreciate any answers.

1. The company agreed to apply for O visa and then immigration visa (GC) for me. As I understood, requirements for O visa application is almost the same as that for EB1 /EB2 application. Could the company go directly to apply for EB1 for me now, instead of the O visa? (I need this info to negociate with the company)

2. What is the advantage/disadvantage of a O visa compared to a H1B visa?

3. The academic institute I am currently work for also agreed to apply for a GC for me (I don't know under which catogary they are going to apply for it for me though). If I could get an O visa through the company, which way is faster to get an green card: through the O visa - green card path in the indrustry, or through the H1B - green card path in academia?

Thanks again in advance for your reply. Any additional info on the O visa/GC application are welcome and appreciated.