The most motivated businesses are employee-owned – and we told you that 20yrs ago

SMTW-GBW-coverDo you ever have that sense of deja vu when you see a piece of headline news?

Well I’ve had one today. According to the Chartered Management Institute, “GROUND-BREAKING NEW RESEARCH FROM THE CMI REVEALS HOW MUCH GIVING OWNERSHIP TO EMPLOYEES CAN IMPROVE BUSINESS AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE” (their capitals). (REF: http://www.managers.org.uk/insights/news/2015/july/meet-britains-most-highly-motivated-companies)

They go on to say; “New research from the CMI, published today, reveals that employee-owned companies are more ethical, more motivated and more successful than traditional shareholder-owned companies.”

To help us relate to real world examples they offer this teaser: “John Lewis; Arup; WL Gore and Associates. These companies regularly top the lists of the most successful and respected companies in their fields, but what is the secret behind their success?”

But hang on a minute. Is this really such ground-breaking news? Didn’t Tom Peters imply as much in his seminal work with Bob Waterman, “In Search Of Excellence“, which was originally published in 1989?

And, I even seem to recall drawing the same conclusion and even perhaps mentioning those three firms in my own book, “Self Managed Team Working“, published in 1995.

Sorry guys, you really need to be a bit more on the ball with your research. What about a few more contemporary examples, like; Childbase Partnership, Gripple, Wilkin and Sons, Page / Park Architects, or CSH Surrey? You could even check out the Employee Ownership Association, where you’ll find a lot more detailed research and experience.

Cheers, Graham

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