Rating: 
Summary: Empowering
Review: I run a family business with about 20 employees. This book inspired me to do not only many changes in my workplace, but gave me a whole new perspective on how the relationship between people working here could and should be. Instead of telling everyone what to do, trusting and allowing people to think is much more effective, respecting and fun. After reading it, I felt the urge of doing things differently, and I really did! If someone would like to exchange views or ideas, please mail me. Hint to Brazilian readers: it's definetly worth reading even if you read the previous "Virando a própria mesa".
Rating:
Summary: Great Visionary and Great Ideas
Review: If you are familiar with Daniel Quinn's books, mainly Ishmael, The Story of B, and My Ishmael, this is clearly a good example of an organization with a new vision. A corporation really doing something different, not the classic rhetoric or programs of the day (decade) or just a greened up version of the classical hierarchy. The new vision is not maximum profits at ALL cost, it is about making a living and maximizing employees happiness - he admits they have a long way to go, but he has many, many great examples of what works and adds ... there is no one right way.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes you believe in people
Review: If you secretly believe in theory X and mouth tenets of theory Y, if you feel jaded running your team and co-ordinating with your superiors, if you look at each day with trepidation and shout at the kids and spouse after you return irritated from work, then you will wish that you worked for a company like Semco. It gives a lease of hope to people who believe in people, people who belive in a little anarchy that stimulates. Order or progress? That is what you should be thinking is what Semler says. But beware! You should be willing to trust. You should be willing to make mistakes and you should have faith.
Rating:
Summary: The accidental visionary
Review: In Maverick, Ricardo Semler has discovered what is the most effective, efficient, fulfilling way to be human not just be an employee or employer. Semler offers not only a model for organisational communication (rather than management), but also a seminal approach to interpersonal relationships at all levels. Oh how I wish education for our young people reflected these processes and valuings. How much more valued and responsible we would all feel. I'm totally sold on Semler's approach. It goes beyond the limitations of representative and participative democracies which demand either majority vote or consensus; both of which have significant disadvantages such as being time consuming and/or alienating. This maverick approach is all empowering and about getting things done responsibly and when they need to be done the way they need to be done. Full marks Ricardo! I have used some of the ideas when working with students and plan to extend my use of the principles.
Rating:
Summary: Because I'm just starting out, this is a real help!
Review: In Semler's book he talks about how he had to turn his company, literally upside down, because of what problems were currently there. I however, am just starting out, and I will be able to use some of his wonderful ideas right from the start. I believe this will let me skip many of the heartaches and problems Semco was dealing with. Highly recommended book for the new small business owner. I'm glad I got to it before my company got to me!
Rating:
Summary: I dont want to be a stone cutter i want to build a cathedral
Review: Ive almost finished reading the book and i bought it today!! Company is derived form the word companion.... which actually means "the sharing of bread" com=together panis=bread it wont sound ironic if u read the book. i learnt alot from this book!
Rating:
Summary: As readable as Wilbur Smith, as valuable as a blank cheque!
Review: Mar 5th 1999. We already practice some of his idea's. But this book is fantastic. make everyone you know read this book. As he says ... not everything will work, but many ideas can and do. This book is easy to read and very hard to put down. I bought a copy and am making all my managers read it. Starting with our owner (and my Chairman!).
Rating:
Summary: "Must Reading" on the Democratic Workplace Environment
Review: Maverick has a good claim to must read status for those interested in modern management in that it is probably the best exposition of a democratic workplace in successful practice. As both the story of a company and the autobiography of a unique business leader, it is of interest in various ways.Semler's account of how he arrived at Semco's democratic organizational culture is a fascinating case of personal growth. Some readers, however, may be less interested in "how I got there" and some of the Brazilian background than in its account what Semco has actually achieved in workplace governance. In this respect, Maverick is a seminal book, because Semco's management style is so unusual. Just reading about it is a liberating experience! As to practical application, the book has some very readable sections such as the excerpts from the famous Semco operating manual, its glossary (which has "valuably eccentric" ideas), and a test for employees to rate supervisors. These sections give a very good introduction to empowerment and workplace democracy that can be read usefully anybody. Put Maverick's operating philosophy together with Tom Peter's reinventing work ideas (most particularly in his The Circle of Innovation). Then, add in some Greenleaf servant leadership and combine with some shared vision (a la Chapter 11 of Senge's Fifth Discipline). You then have an excellent recipe for best practice 21st century management. More books like this showing in detail how advanced ideas actually have been successfully implemented in the workplace are very much needed.
Rating:
Summary: "Must Reading" on the Democratic Workplace Environment
Review: Maverick has a good claim to must read status for those interested in modern management in that it is probably the best exposition of a democratic workplace in successful practice. As both the story of a company and the autobiography of a unique business leader, it is of interest in various ways. Semler's account of how he arrived at Semco's democratic organizational culture is a fascinating case of personal growth. Some readers, however, may be less interested in "how I got there" and some of the Brazilian background than in its account what Semco has actually achieved in workplace governance. In this respect, Maverick is a seminal book, because Semco's management style is so unusual. Just reading about it is a liberating experience! As to practical application, the book has some very readable sections such as the excerpts from the famous Semco operating manual, its glossary (which has "valuably eccentric" ideas), and a test for employees to rate supervisors. These sections give a very good introduction to empowerment and workplace democracy that can be read usefully anybody. Put Maverick's operating philosophy together with Tom Peter's reinventing work ideas (most particularly in his The Circle of Innovation). Then, add in some Greenleaf servant leadership and combine with some shared vision (a la Chapter 11 of Senge's Fifth Discipline). You then have an excellent recipe for best practice 21st century management. More books like this showing in detail how advanced ideas actually have been successfully implemented in the workplace are very much needed.
Rating:
Summary: The Euphoria for Workers
Review: Maverick proves that respect is important in every society. Given the right respect , it will be treated properly. Employees that are fully trusted will feel that they are part of the family , and not just a slave. And being on the same boat, no one wants the boat to sink.
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