The Caring Capitalist - Brazil

July 2005
Some call it anarchic socialism, some cutting edge capitalism. At Brazilian manufacturer Semco, the workers have sacked the boss, and run the company themselves.

At the lavish reception, one of two receptionists meet and greet the great and mighty. But no-one really ever knows which one it will be at any given time. "'We are not sure which one will be there, because they set their own schedule" explains IT worker boss Joao Neto. There are hammocks to help workers think in comfort, and departments can choose their own furniture. Even salaries are set by the employees themselves, and bosses are just as likely to tell you to ask for more money than less. But although it sounds like a workers dream, the rest of the department keeps an eagle eye on lazy employees: "There is peer pressure for bad behaviour. If you're here just to profit from other people's efforts, you're not wanted". The easy going atmosphere has paid dividends -- annual profits at Semco are up to US$ 160m these days, from $ 4m when owner Ricardo Semler took over 25 years ago. Now he has turned his attention to teaching -- without the teachers. Like Semco, pupils at Lumiar primary school in Sao Paulo dictate the rules. Vive La Revolucion?

Produced by SBS/Dateline
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

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[Benzidrine]

@Alex989Y Socialism by definition doesn't have corporations that are privately owned. This is a good example of capitalism working well hence the title. You might want to read a book before you attempt intellectual discussion of matters obviously alien to you beyond a passing exposure to propaganda.

[CiaranPaulRoche]

The TPS reports never get filed in this company.

[braaitongs]

It seems that hey work almost like our company. This is innovation! it is giving people max freedom and relying on their integrity to do the necessary work. Big companies are far to rigid. I will never beable to work for a corporate. The guy says, people can go home when work is done, to me this is so obvious, it needs not to be even said. But try to do this in big corporate and you would get fired. It is a completely free market solution. and I think they are far more efficient.

[MetroConsPlace]

@LaharlD2 Your good ideas belong to the company if you have it at work



[LaharlD2]

@lscali17 And your supervisors don't give jack shit if they steal your good idea, do they and make big benefits off it? A lot of supervisors, managers, and Ceos live by the ideology "Why pay for it when I can get it for free" ...

[DeLorean4]

I've always wanted hammocks in my workspace. ALWAYS.

[ratside]

Das ist echter Kapitalismus ! Echte Freiheit ohne Zentralistische Chef abteilung. So könnte auch ein Staat aussehen behandelt uns nicht wie Kinder die nicht für sich selbst sorgen können. Kauft euch mal Mises Hayek und Roland Baader. Und es geht dort auch um Profit nich in dem Sinne das die Firma Profit macht sondern die Mitarbeiter Geld verdienen. Das ist die Natur des Menschen.

[lscali17]

First everyone works on commission. Second millitary psychology here. People fight for their friends that is why recuits are encourage to enlist with their friends. Here peer presure keeps people working hard and inline. Here good ideas are not stolen by supervisor. Very healthy model not like Japanese model where workers drop dead at their work station they even have a name for it.

[ianrkav]

Now, there's a company I would like to work with:-)

[indefiance24]

This isn't socialism, this is volunteerism/agorism . Very Awesome!

[hilletehnoob]

if the system is good it will spread,if it's not...well it won't.