BY AKSHAY.N.RAJMADHURA PADAKISWAPNIL DUTTABOOK REVIEW ON MAVERICK- RICARDO SEMLER

Maverick !Amazing Real Life Story of a Young man Ricardo Semler And his companyMaverick is the story of howRicardo Semler changed his family business SEMCO from an autocratic structure to a democratic structure.

SEMCO is a Brazilian manufacturing company.

This is not a business book It is a book aboutwork, and how it can be changed for the better.

Profile of SEMCOWas Founded by Antonio Semler in 1952 on his Dining Table(contraction of Sember & Company as SEMCO).

Started business by manufacturing oil separating machine and soon entered into Marine and related sectors.

Ricardo SemlerWas not a Bright Students (Passed mostly with D Grades).

Writes weekly newspaper column for 1.1 million readers.

Interested in politics & is a member of a large political party.

Served in Army for an Year(compulsory in Brazil).

Developed a Genuine Interest in Business.

Ricardo Semler

Joined SEMCO. But was not given authority to take decisions initially.

Was exploring the possibility of buying some sick company and starting his own business.

He always wanted to be an alumni of HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL , which he later became.

He has since written two books in English on the transformation of SEMCO and workplace re-engineering. MAVERICK & THE SEVEN DAY WEEKEND.

Management of SEMCOPyramidical Structure.Was being run by selected Managers of his father.SEMCO was not doing well.For his father personal and business life was intertwined.Was investing money in Marine Business without any returns.

Organizational Chart SEMCO does not use a formal organizational chart.

Only the respect of the lead creates a leader.

Hiring Before people are hired or promoted, the others in that unit have the opportunity to interview the candidates. This method was rejected by Ricardo Semler

Working Hours SEMCO has flexible working hours and the responsibility for setting and keeping track of them rests with each employee. People work at different speeds and differ in their performance depending on the time of the day. SEMCO does its best to adopt each person's desires and needs.

Working environment We want our people to feel free to change and adopt their working area as they please. Change the area around you, according to your taste and desires and those of the people who work with you.

Clothing and appearance A person appearance is not a factor in hiring or promotion. Everyone knows what he or she likes or needs to wear. Feel at ease WEAR JUST YOUR COMMON SENSE.

Authority Many position in SEMCO carry with hierarchical authority. But efforts to pressure subordinates is not acceptable in SEMCO.

Unions SEMCO believe unions are the important form of worker protection. Unions and company don't always agree or even get along, but SEMCO insist on mutual respect and dialogue.

Strikes Strikes are the part and parcel of a democracy Strikes are normal in an organization The workers assemblies are sovereign in this respect Absence from work because of a strike is considered as normal absenteeism without further consequences or punishment

Change SEMCO is a place where big changes from time to time. SEMCO considered change as healthy and positive impact always. SEMCO always welcome changes without fear. SEMCO considered change as the characteristics of the company.

Factory committees Employees at SEMCO are guaranteed representation through the factory committee of each business unit. SEMCO sees this conflict as healthy and necessary.

Participation SEMCO's philosophy is built on participation and involvement. SEMCO believe on participation opinion opportunities and advancement always. SEMCO maintain a principle where every voice are counted always.

Evaluation by Subordinates SEMCO provide questionnaire to its employees twice a year to fill and get their views. Company allows its employees to be frank and honest not just on the form but also in the discussion that follows.

Job security and Age Employees associated with SEMCO for more than 3 years or has reached the age of 50 can only be dismissed after a long series of approvals. This does not mean that SEMCO has no lay off policy but it helps to increase the securities of SEMCO employee.

Suggestions SEMCO doesn't believe in giving prizes for suggestions. SEMCO want everybody to speak out and ideas in SEMCO are always welcome. SEMCO believe that it is not healthy to reward them with prizes or money.

Private life A persons private affairs are considered sacred by the company. SEMCO never interfere in employees personal life as long as it does not interfere with work.

SEMCO women Women gets different respect in the company. Company runs series of programs exclusive for women to participate and become more socialize.

Vacations Semco is not one of those comapnies who believes anyone is irreplaceable. SEMCO allows its employees to take 30 days vacation every year.

JUST READING MAVERICK ISNT ADEQUATE TO LEAD A SUCCESSFUL IN SEMCO. ONE HAS TO BEGIN TO PRACTICE IT. I AM SURE THE YOUTH OF THIS COUNTRY, EAGER TO MAKE A MARK FOR THEMSELVES, WOULD MAKE AT LEAST A FEW OF THE PROCESSES THEIR OWN AND CONVERT THEIR LIVES INTO HAPPY HARMONIOUS ONES. - RICARDO SEMLER

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Trust doesnt work always

Policies and procedures are not universally applicable.

Everyone cannot expect the spirit of involvement and partnership to flourish.

Profit sharing does not create employee involvement.

SEMCO allows employees to hire their own BOSSES

The heart of the problem is the pyramid, the basic organising principle of the modern corporation.

HOW CAN THIS BOOK HELP US

Hard work always pays, may not be at the same time but in near future it will. Luck does not work every time.

Can learn new management concepts by reading this book.

Can help budding entrepreneurs to change their way of thinking.

ConclusionA Co. should trust its destiny to its employees.

SEMCO isnt a model, with objectives to be followed with precision ,it is in fact an invitation for companies to consider themselves and their employees. Invitation to concentrate on building organizations that accomplish the most difficult of all challenges-

To make people look forward to coming to work in the morning..

RATINGSSEMCO seeks to streamline and simplify processes and avoid complicated manuals. For example, the SEMCO company manual in an appendix is a brief comic book.

THANK YOU