Usually we run a command in dos, it stays peacefully until it is complete. You cannot run any other commands during the process unless you open another command window.
For example, ftp bla bla bla, then you will be in ftp session.
If you change that to
start /min ftp bla bla bla or start /max ftp bla bla bla
This will start your ftp session in a new command box. You still can continue run any other command in the same command window. This is very useful when you make bat file.