Nearsoft commits to evolving workplace democracy
First company in Latin America to win Most Democratic Workplace award
Monday April 27, 2009 -- Camille Jensen
Matt Pérez says he couldn’t put a name on the type of workplace he wanted to create until he picked up a book by Ricardo Semler entitled The Seven-Day Weekend.  

“This guy just wrote the book,” recalls Pérez, who after reading Seven-Day Weekend went on to read Semler’s seminal book, the international best-seller, Maverick.

The two books document the transformation of Semco, a Brazil industrial equipment manufacturing company, into a democratic workplace and a multi-million-dollar organization making the case for why more businesses should adopt an open-management model and invest more authority in employees.

For Pérez, chief operations officer of Nearsoft, which provides software product development and is based in Mexico, the books helped formalize and clarify many of the ideas he and co-founder Roberto Martinez had about the company they wanted to build — a company of leaders.

“My partner and I have always been of the opinion that we would rather work with adults, soar with eagles than flock with turkeys,” says Pérez. “You have to create an environment that is fulfilling for those people.”

That environment at Nearsoft includes a commitment to complete transparency and open communication. Every month the company has an all hands meeting where the entire team goes over the financials to discuss any areas of concern or new opportunities.

Staff members are able to say have a direct say in the operations of the company through its Operations Board, an eight member elected board responsible for overseeing the main functions of Nearsoft.

Decisions on the board are currently made through consent but Pérez says they are experimenting with other formal decision-making approaches. He adds among the benefits, the board is a great way to show respect for staff members while enhancing transparency.

“We hire really smart people so why not leverage those smarts for everything not just technology development,” says Pérez.

While the company’s work is billed by the hour, staff members are given flexibility over when those hours are worked. Pérez adds the main principle behind their company is to treat everyone as responsible adults, which means letting them decide when and how the work gets done.

As the company continues to evolve its workplace democracy they are also introducing new polices — such as allowing staff members to choose their own wage — and unearthing certain practices they feel are outdated.

“We still keep track of vacation but we are talking about abolishing that too.”

Nearsoft was one of 40 companies name to the WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces 2009 and is the first Latin American winner.

In a press release issued by Nearsoft the company states that “besides the personal satisfaction of working in a place where everybody is treated as an adult, this practice has very tangible benefits for the company and our clients.”

Nearsoft invites other companies to entertain similar ideas, and provides links to resources as well as contact information, to learn more about organizational democracy.

If you have feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext.24, or e-mail camille(at)axiomnews.ca.