- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Warner Books; Reprint edition (1 May 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0446670553
- ISBN-13: 978-0446670555
- Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 2.5 x 20.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,180,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'The way that Ricardo Semler runs his company is impossible; except that it works, and works splendidly for everyone. I relish this book. It revived my faith in human beings and my hope for business everywhere' Charles Handy
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
The Times
‘Semco takes workplace democracy to previously unimagined frontiers’
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Every Wednesday afternoon dozens of men and women file through the front gate on their way to a third-floor meeting room at Semco, the company I lead in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Every Wednesday afternoon dozens of men and women file through the front gate on their way to a third-floor meeting room at Semco, the company I lead in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a management consultant I found this book very useful indeed - much of it is directly applicable to shop-floor and pressure-politics situations - the 20-page cartoon "rulebook" at the end is more than worth the price of the book itself - buy it! And if you have the courage, apply what it says, too: It's been known for some time that organizations are designed according to "command and control" principles that very poorly match how humans are really built to behave. More complex self-ordering behavior is always observed when any lack of hierarchy exists, and the hierarchies that do emerge tend to be more effective than those that were designed by managers with experience in previous eras. Semler just chose to trust it more than, say, Tom Peters. Prof. Nicholson, head of London Business School recently wrote (in the Harvard Business Review) that Semler's model was the only one to really respect "stone age nature" of human behavior (the many insights from evolutionary psychology that tell us that we're far more often feeling our way through decisions than thinking our way through).
Semlers assessment of Human Resource Management (HRM) practice is truly radical but built on a foundation of good management practice and a healthy dose of common sense. HRM managers and departments confuse traditional and successful hierarchies and should be the first thing to be axed if any organisation is serious about survival in the 21st Century.
Excellent book and guide, highly practical and an enjoyable read.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love this book. It doesn't read read like a business book at all but is more like a fascinating biography. I would recommend it to anyone not just people with an interest in business. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I've probably bought around 50 copies of this book (over the years) for friends and colleagues.
Wonderful you must read it.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read a lot of success story business books - many of them are full of motivational phrases which mean very little; many of them are badly written (just because someone is successful in business doesn't make them a great writer!).
This book is different. You can really feel the author's vision through his writing. As well as talking about his philosophy he gives concrete examples of how he implemented his ideas. Also, he tells us all his mistakes and how he learnt from them. I found this inspiring as I've realised you don't have to be perfect from the start to create something amazing.
You must read this!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the only management book I have managed to read cover to cover
the title says it all - I have been asked to read a lot of management text books and often give up about a quarter of the way through, the initial interest in the sales blurb... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. E. Smith
SEMCO in action
This is the earlier of the books I've read on SEMCO. And it seems to be more a recent edition.
It is really good for some of the personal story behind the amazing... Read more
It is really good for some of the personal story behind the amazing... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Peter W. Burden
Secrets of good managing in a story
This is a brilliant book which tells the story of how an old fashioned business was saved from decline by innovative management methods. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ming
Maverick a bible for production managers
If you have a factory to run, an open mind and the need to improve, then take a weekend to read Maverick. You will find it eye opening, insightful genious! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ivor
Refreshing and motivating
If you are trying to change an organisation then this book won't act as a manual, the situation and players are far from generic. Read more
Published 17 months ago by smokinggnu
Maverick - FANTASTIC
Ricardo builds the story of Semco from its very humble beginnings to the success story it is today. He tells two stories; 1, how semco went from the emergency room to being one of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by feroz
Best inspiration for 'The New Way of Working'
It reads like an adventure story, but it is not. It happened real life and the story is continuing.
The natural human way will bring extraordinary results for all. Read more
The natural human way will bring extraordinary results for all. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Joscelin Trouwborst
The full works
Ricardo Semler describes his book about his Brazilian company - Semco - as "an invitation." A guide to a business philosophy with one underlying objective: "to make people look... Read more
Published on 13 April 2010 by G. M. Sinstadt
Wish I worked for Semler
Having heard of this book, i ordered it as part of my research for a work project. If this was a work of fantasy you'd be howling with laughter at some of their ideas - this is... Read more
Published on 12 April 2010 by Katharine M Rogers
BRILLIANT
This is how any business should be run - but copying this would be a life times' work.
Full of stress but would eventually make life easier for the boss, and the employees.
Full of stress but would eventually make life easier for the boss, and the employees.
Published on 31 Dec 2009 by roscow jim
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