General

Re: Radical new Business Model

Cork — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:58:11 GMT

Cool model, but as I pointed out to the mutualist who originally linked me the video, it's still hierarchical and has a division of labor (despite the autonomy). The anarcho-lefties have yet to come up with any working example of the completely "flat" firms they want.

Re: Radical new Business Model

William — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:14:54 GMT

Amazing video, Amazing ideas, amazing man. In my small business I use a hands off type approach, I wouldn't have it any other way. I have seen far too many owners and managers made less effective by their own inflated egos.

Re: Radical new Business Model

The Rev — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:12:12 GMT

They're distilling out the Industrial Age regimentation and replacing it with an honest stake in the performance of the company. Brilliant.

The Rev

Re: Radical new Business Model

Stranger — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:58:21 GMT

This is a management philosophy. I don't see how different it is from the Koch family's market-based management.

Of course the drawback, and the entrepreneur makes it clear at the end, is that the employees are more at risk. But as long as there is no problem filling staff the model works.

Even Wal-Mart gives its employees some freedom.

Re: Radical new Business Model

wilderness — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:45:06 GMT

Ho Pin:

It seems great. But I would just take it as a proof that other business models can work. Think that there could be the temptation around there that there is no need for more freedom because Semco proves that even in a interventionist country such as Brazil, this business model is working. Of course we know that anything that is done in Semco would be possible without property rights, but you know, socialist are better than us in distorting reality and persuading.

It doesn't prove that a sort of 'libertarian' company is superior to a traditional 'dictatorship' company with a strong hierarchy. What is superior is the capability of free market to select the companies that match consumer preferences, and get rid of the ones misallocating resources.

Of course, you can think that Semco is kind of libertarian society at a small scale, but I don't think so, it is just a company. Think in Hong Kong, perhaps it is not an example of libertarian world at all, but it is the closest example of free market capitalism that I can think of. Nothing is preventing many Hongkonese companies to follow Semco's model. But as far as I know it is not happening. What it is happening is free cooperation between companies, but companies itself are pretty hierarchical, with flexibility but with formal bosses deciding, controlling and supervising, much less that a few decades before, but still recognizable bosses.

If Semco's model become worldwide imitated and proves succesfull, it would be interesting to review whether Hayek's refutation of socialism based on knowledge widely concentrated vs knowledge widely dispersed in capitalism is more solid that we thought.

It's the free market. It is libertarian. Whether in Hong Kong or Semco. I didn't catch your point, maybe it's me. You're not forced to work at a business in Hong Kong or Semco are you? No.

Re: Radical new Business Model

Ho Pin — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:12:23 GMT

It seems great. But I would just take it as a proof that other business models can work. Think that there could be the temptation around there that there is no need for more freedom because Semco proves that even in a interventionist country such as Brazil, this business model is working. Of course we know that anything that is done in Semco would be possible without property rights, but you know, socialist are better than us in distorting reality and persuading.

It doesn't prove that a sort of 'libertarian' company is superior to a traditional 'dictatorship' company with a strong hierarchy. What is superior is the capability of free market to select the companies that match consumer preferences, and get rid of the ones misallocating resources.

Of course, you can think that Semco is kind of libertarian society at a small scale, but I don't think so, it is just a company. Think in Hong Kong, perhaps it is not an example of libertarian world at all, but it is the closest example of free market capitalism that I can think of. Nothing is preventing many Hongkonese companies to follow Semco's model. But as far as I know it is not happening. What it is happening is free cooperation between companies, but companies itself are pretty hierarchical, with flexibility but with formal bosses deciding, controlling and supervising, much less that a few decades before, but still recognizable bosses.

If Semco's model become worldwide imitated and proves succesfull, it would be interesting to review whether Hayek's refutation of socialism based on knowledge widely concentrated vs knowledge widely dispersed in capitalism is more solid that we thought.

Re: Radical new Business Model

bearing01 — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:08:51 GMT

The free market capitalism (that sort-of still exists in some places) now days is very impressive. Companies willing to make drastic business model changes are flourishing. Take Ryanair airlines (Irish). They're as cheap as possible. Everything costs extra. It's to your discretion if you want the extra good or service and you pay for it. If no, you don't pay.

ABC Nightline: ABC Video #1

and

Video #2

And they have great marketing:

Video #3

Video #4

Re: Radical new Business Model

wilderness — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:08:42 GMT

banned:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gG3HPX0D2mU

This is pretty awesome

Excellent! Thanks for sharing.

Re: Radical new Business Model

yessir — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:23:28 GMT

banned:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gG3HPX0D2mU

This is pretty awesome

I recommend everyone here to read "the future of management". It shows the radical new business models already implemented and what is to be expected in the future.

Here is a video from the author:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVX8XhiR1UY

Re: Radical new Business Model

R.J. Moore II — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:52:39 GMT

I saw this video a while back and found it very interesting, especially the ideas the guy had about schooling (all the damage is done, he says, around 2). But I would certainly hesitate in making any statements about the ideology of a business model. It might be superior, and it's certainly a neat idea, but a business is a business. It's only as 'anarcho-capitalist' as the pot dealers around here. Given the prevelance of voluntary relationships, almost any business or society is 'anarchic' in that it suffers but does not invite or utilize government intervention.

Re: Radical new Business Model

solos — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:38:25 GMT

It seems the only thing that the union has done has gotten comics printed. The way the worker is paid takes away from collective bargaining cause. It doens't make sense to pay someone to supervise to make sure someone is doing their job. If they aren't, then they would be fired. The way the workers are kept in check reminds me of Heinlein's cell structure in "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress".

Re: Radical new Business Model

jmw — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:51:22 GMT

..spontaneous order in action...this isthe market reaction to the stagnant, oversized corporation.

thanks for sharing!

Re: Radical new Business Model

liberty student — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:15:20 GMT

I think it is great because it challenges people to question why they have bosses, or why they tolerate lazy and ineffective coworkers.

It's a great video. It deserves some promotion.

Re: Radical new Business Model

Nitroadict — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:40:05 GMT

krazy kaju:

I understand this is still private property and is perfectly compatible with capitalism, it just makes me sick that somewhere, some syndicalist or wob is just loving this.

I understand what you mean, actually; syndicalist's would interpret this as an affirmation that they are correct, when in reality, it's just another model that is competing in the marketplace.

It could be said Liberals would view this same situation sympathetically, but see it is as merley another reason for regulation as the company itself seems too "unstable" based upon the real life forces of the workers being (rightfully) pressured by the market to keep up the pace & motivation in order to compete.

Re: Radical new Business Model

krazy kaju — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:32:45 GMT

I understand this is still private property and is perfectly compatible with capitalism, it just makes me sick that somewhere, some syndicalist or wob is just loving this.