A different way to run a company and manage people

For a while I have been hearing good things about a company called Patagonia, especially relating to the way they run their business. So to read a book by Patagonia's founder, Yvon Chouinard, was fascinating.

The company is run around eight philosophies:

• design


• production


• distribution


• image


• human resources


• finance


• management


• environment

Each philosophy is used as a guide rather than a set of rules and, for me, the approach can be summed up by their 'Let My People Go Surfing' flexitime policy - if the swell is good then go surfing in the afternoon or be there for the kids when they get off the school bus. Loyal happy employees wont take advantage of the system, and in fact will be more dedicated.

The whole plan seems to be around minimising the negative impact that the business has on the world and maximising the positive impact. They donate 1% of sales (not profit) to good causes.

If you are into finding out about different ways of managing people and business take a look at the book 'Let my people go surfing: an education of a reluctant businessman' by Yvon Chouinard. They also do great clothing! http://www.patagonia.com/