Hi Folks,
Maverick”, by Ricardo semler is a unique book on a Management true story
In which most contemporary management principles and practices have been turned up side down,
SEMCO – one of the fastest growing Brazilian Multinational company and the most popular one( according to the author) in Brazil and Ricardo Semler is the 2nd generation offspring leading it and virtually overhauling the entire setup left for him by his father…This book is a true story of the New work practices he introduced in his company…. I give you a few from the summary in the book to
Ignite some “OFF THE HAT THINKING”
1) BOSSES – workers themselves are in charge of processes thus eliminating
Many conventional departments like Process, quality control, etc…And thus excluding the supervisory structure in a conventional firm.Bosses are 75% less compared to conventional firms
2) Organization chart- Circular
A) Councilors-they evolve the general policies and strategies
b) Partners- they run the different units of SEMCO
c) Co-coordinators – Marketing, Sales, Production engineers and Assembly area fore- men
d) Associates - Every one else including cleaners
3) Clean outs- Twice a year there is a compulsory shut down and everybody has
To clean his work place
4) Democracy- There are Factory committees that take part in all important
Decisions taken in the firm and subordinates take a vote on the performance of their bosses
5) Flexi time- even shop floor workers are given freedom to set their own time to
Work in a 24 hour day of course in consultation with the factory committee.
6)Compulsory leave- For professionals every year for few days or weeks to recuperate and learn new skills (PAID FULLY)
7)Job rotation- A minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years are after
Encouraged that the employee has to go for a new job in the firm
8) Profit sharing- A quarter of the company profit is shared with its employees and they decide How it is to be distributed
9) Manufacturing Cells—Instead of long assembly lines the products are made by individual cells of Workers who are totally responsible for it and are given full autonomy on how to do it
10) Reverse Evaluation- Before anyone is promoted, he/she is interviewed and evaluated by his core group, peers, and subordinates.
11) Rules- Few as possible, no dress code, no travel restrictions, no internal audits
12) Salary- 25% of employees set their own pay scale (… amazing)
13) Support staff- almost nil like secretaries, personal assistants etc.. Every councilor has to do his own work even if it is to include getting a cup of coffee... (Something to think about)
14) Transparency- All company information like profit, pay scale of individual employee is made public to its employees… workers are even given annual Balance sheets and Profit loss statements to read
15) No Barriers- There is no walls in its admin offices people are encouraged to mingle and wander around freely
The important thing to note here folks that SEMCO is a manufacturing firm and has applied these Practices, we would have heard OF firms like WIPRO or Infosys etc... Applying some of the above practices but name any one manufacturing firm world wide…. NIL
Semco has been making profits year after year….
Well read the book, it should give a new perspective to those in Management or interested in it.
Regards
juzer