The Success Story Behind the World's Most Unusual Workshop

Maverick

The international bestseller that tells how Ricardo Semler created one of the most successful and inspirational companies in the world. Con tains a new introduction by the author

The way that Ricardo Semler runs his company is impossible; except th at it works, and works splendidly for everyone. I relish this book. It revived my faith in human beings and my hope for business everywhere

In this book, Ricardo Semler tells how Semco, Latin America's fastest growing company, uses a revolutionary way of working to run a profit-making company with a work force who love their jobs.

Are there real-life lessons to be learned? The answer is yes...Pragmatic, inspirational and intriguing advice.

Semco takes workplace democracy to previously unimagined frontiers

Ricardo Semler took over his father's company, Semco (founded in 1954), at the age of 19. Not only did he turn the company round, he made it an outstanding success. On the brink of bankruptcy in 1980, Semco achieved revenues of $34 million in 1993 - and $160 million in 2000. Semler threw out the rule book: for example, workers make their own decisions; every corporate decision is put to the vote; people turn up to the meetings they want to be at. It sounds insane: but it works.

The international bestseller that tells how Semler tore up the rule books - and defied inflation running at up to 900% per year! 
 
- Workers make decisions previously made by their bosses 
- Managerial staff set their own salaries and bonuses 
- Everyone has access to the company books 
- No formality - a minimum of meetings, memos and approvals 
- Internal walls torn down 
- Shopfloor workers set their own productivity targets and schedules 
 
Result - Semco is one of Latin America's fastest-growing companies, acknowledged to be the best in Brazil to work for, and with a waiting list of thousands of applicants waiting to join it. 
 
Learn Ricardo's secrets and let some of the Semco magic rub off on you and your company.

Ricardo Semler

Ricardo Semler tells how Semco uses a revolutionary way of working to run a profit making company with a work force who love their jobs

The Seven-Day Weekend will certainly encourage managers to look very carefully at their management practices

In The Seven-Day Weekend, Semler explains how he transformed a small family business into a highly profitable manufacturing, services and high-tech powerhouse - 40 times larger - while watching his favorite movies or relaxing with his son in the middle of the business day. Praise for The Seven-Day Weekend'Are there real-life lessons to be learned? The answer is yes-Pragmatic, inspirational and intriguing advice' The Times'Ricardo Semler is our kind of capitalist.' Guardian'In this book, Ricardo Semler tells how Semco, Latin America's fastest growing company, uses a revolutionary way of working to run a profit making company with a work force who love their jobs.' The Sunday Times'The Seven-Day Weekend challenges conventional approaches to work. It sparks ideas that can be applied to one's own business [and] will certainly encourage managers to look very carefully at their management practices.' Rocco Forte, Management TodayPraise for Ricardo Semler's Maverick!'Semco takes workplace democracy to previously unimagined frontiers' The Times'His egalitarian approach works like a dream' Today

Ricardo Semler

Praise for The Seven-Day Weekend

Ricardo Semler tells how Semco uses a revolutionary way of working to run a profit making company with a work force who love their jobs

The Seven-Day Weekend will certainly encourage managers to look very carefully at their management practices

Ricardo Semler is our kind of capitalist

Ricardo Semler tells how Semco uses a revolutionary way of working to run a profit making company with a work force who love their jobs

The Seven-Day Weekend will certainly encourage managers to look very carefully at their management practices

Ricardo Semler is our kind of capitalist

Ricardo Semler tells how Semco uses a revolutionary way of working to run a profit making company with a work force who love their jobs

The Seven-Day Weekend will certainly encourage managers to look very carefully at their management practices

Ricardo Semler is our kind of capitalist

Books by Ricardo Semler

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter