The Vision Web is a unique example when it comes to entrepreneurship. It demonstrates very clearly how visionary leadership can lead to huge successes nowadays. How is it possible for a company grow from 3 to 450 people in the space of five years and this without an office?
In 1996, three colleagues decided to begin a new business, they developed their own ideas with regard to the business management. Making the acquaintance of Semco was the deciding factor. The way in which Ricardo Semler organises his business is proof for initiative-takers that their own ideas are feasible. The guiding motto is "Turning talent into enterprise".
The Vision Web is the exploiter of a business formula within which there is space for numerous initiatives. Eight other companies were started on the basis of Solvision’s success. Each company has its own speciality. Each company consists of micro-businesses, that is to say, small teams which act as the initiator, manager and entrepreneur of a certain business activity.
New micro-businesses are constantly being started up. Everyone can take the initiative to do this and present the business plan to a self-composed sounding board group. The formula is underpinned by five principles:
The daily working method is underpinned by innovative technology. Central to this is an Intranet / Sharepoint in which all of the matters relevant to the business are fully accessible to everyone. This includes knowledge systems, financial administration and results (balanced score cards). Every employee can make contact with the network from various locations. Everyone has a workplace at home with ISDN connection, and a mobile telephone and laptop in order to be able to work and to get a connection with the network.
There is no office and there is no central staff because every team is self-supporting. The physical bond consists of a number of meeting places furnished like cafés in attractive buildings. This very informal background lays the foundation for the collective bond and the commitment to one another. No-one is compelled to go to the café, but there is a great deal of interest in the meetings. Furthermore, one can always go to the café outside a meeting, if one wishes to work in an inspiring setting, either alone or as a team.
In 2004 The Vision Web is merged with Ordina. One of the Vision Web labels, FiNext, is supporting fincancial function of major Dutch organisations.
We thank Fokke Wijnstra (project leader at FiNext / Ordina and independent management consultant) an Eric van Mieghem (Founder of the Vision Web) for numerous inspiring work sessions!
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