I blogged about Semco SA yesterday, but it was a shallow, dull post merely outlining the ways in which the management philosophy has improved operations for the Brazilian manufacturing and environmental/IT services company. Some more interesting details: Due to management style clashes with his father and founder of the company, current CEO Ricardo Semler threatenedContinue reading “Saga of Semco continues”
Monthly Archives: August 2006
Unorthodox management style is paying off for Semco
Semco is a Brazilian company that has recently taken digg by storm and is making waves amongst more real world folks too. The company is turning pretty much everything we know about how to run a business organization upside down, and getting great results doing just that. The long and short of it: Employees setContinue reading “Unorthodox management style is paying off for Semco”
Improving cash flow through better payables management
There are several ways in which a business can improve their cash flow situation by optimizing their payables management. Mostly this relates to timing issues – when to pay your suppliers. Pay invoices on or close to the due date. Supplier terms are typically the only source of interest-free credit your business is going toContinue reading “Improving cash flow through better payables management”
Accounting is prestigious
A recent Harris Poll has concluded that 47% of Americans see accounting as having “considerable to great” prestige, and another 40% of the population attributing “some prestige” to the profession. Although it isn’t clear whether you have to have a professional designation to be considered prestigious. Firefighters, doctors and nurses are in the lead withContinue reading “Accounting is prestigious”
Emerging markets are exciting, but risky
I’m in full study mode now, preparing for the final exam on the way to a Chartered Accountant (CA) designation here in Canada. I wrote a case yesterday about a company that needed a certain high tech piece of equipment to compete in a globalizing and consolidating industry, and was considering two opportunities. They couldContinue reading “Emerging markets are exciting, but risky”