Molecular Questions

1999-2-1 09:42:00

Dave asks the following question:
If a company were setup like this, how would you make sure that the company remained on track? Every time someone took over the 'head' position in a company, wouldn't there be a possibility that the new occupant of that position could change the companies course?"

Answer:
Because cream will rise to the top in the Molecular Business a change of course by a new manager will generally be for the better. There is not enough changing of the course in most companies.

If the company seems to be going off track then those responsible for this would be replaced by election.

Dave continues:
"Couldn't this system possibly widen the gap between Managers and Workers? It seems to me, that this system would only reverse the problem. Instead of subordinates doing things to please their manager, the Manager would do things to please his subordinates. How would a manager maintain that certain level of discipline?"

Answer:
As mentioned in today's post except for having his hands tied so he can't fire employees for speaking up he can fire them for insubordination and has more power to carry out his job and give orders than a manager for a regular company.

Dave continues:
"9 out of 12 people in that department are here for a free ride. Thus, they must select a manager for their department that will support that. If they chose a manager that does not support that, they simply vote someone in that will. Thus, nothing gets done in that department, and the 3 workers that actually WORK have to support the load for that whole department."

Answer:
It sounds like you are talking about government employees. Normally the majority of employees will want to produce because they will make more money. If the majority were out for a free ride and their performance went down below company standards their income would go down. If one division became a chain around the neck of the company then the manager on the next level up would call a general meeting to formulate a discipline.

Dave again:
"How would you incorporate the molecular idea into a Corporate setting? I own shares in a start-up Corporation, and would be interested in knowing how to incorporate this idea."

Most established companies would be reluctant to become molecular because of the change involved. I believe that it must first be demonstrated by new start-up companies. Then when they prove the concept works better than the current methods, established companies will incorporate one or more parts of it into their processes.

By the way Dave I am glad you are back. There was a vacuum when you were gone.

Glenys writes:
"I suppose that while I agree with the principles espoused in the Molecular Business, I'm finding it a little difficult to fit into the NZ context. The population of NZ is only about 4 million people and it is a nation of small, independently owned businesses. I'm not sure of the exact figure but I suspect that over 80% of our businesses would fall below the threshold of having 24 staff for the Molecular Business principles to apply. Also, because of the diversity of the business, it could be difficult to form loose associations to enable several small companies to incorporate the principles in their workplaces (I'm still thinking on that one).

Maybe it's for bigger countries like the States and NZ should be looking at adapting the principles into something more suitable for its smaller operations."

Answer: It sounds like New Zealand has about the opposite ratio of the United States. However more and more people are getting involved in their own business here. Many of then who are doing so work for a large company or the government and are doing something extra on the side.

Let us say that we create several Molecular Business in New Zealand and they are successful. Then others would join in. Next we would have smaller companies wanting to participate in some way. Let us say that we have six small printers. These printers could merge into one company having six sections and have an elected leader.

During the next few days I will be posting more on The Molecular Business and will be commenting as we go along.