Will Bob Moore's legacy continue to live on in the company he founded?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the legacy of Bob Moore and the implications of his decision to transfer ownership of his company to its workers. Participants explore the potential challenges and dynamics of this model, including governance, conflict resolution, and the effectiveness of employee ownership structures.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for Bob Moore's philosophy that "the company belongs to the people who make it possible."
  • Others question the viability of the employee ownership model, suggesting skepticism about its sustainability and management.
  • Concerns are raised about whether all employees will be equally capable of running the business and how conflicts regarding business decisions will be managed.
  • Some participants share personal experiences with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), highlighting potential pitfalls such as lack of independence among directors and poor decision-making.
  • There is speculation about whether Bob Moore will continue to provide guidance to the company and the importance of mentorship in ensuring its success.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are multiple competing views regarding the effectiveness and sustainability of the employee ownership model, as well as concerns about governance and management.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal experiences with ESOPs, indicating that their views may be influenced by past outcomes, which could affect their perspectives on the current situation.

Astronuc
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Grateful boss gives company to workers :approve:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=18227127

Bob Moore - "The company belongs to the people who make it possible."

I tip my brow to Bob Moore.
 
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Astronuc said:
Grateful boss gives company to workers :approve:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=18227127

Bob Moore - "The company belongs to the people who make it possible."

I tip my brow to Bob Moore.

:rolleyes: Who wants to place bets on when that business goes under?
 
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Choronzon said:
:rolleyes: Who wants to place bets on when that business goes under?
My thoughts too. Is everyone equal? Who knows how to run the business as opposed to just doing a specific job? How will conflicts on how to run the business be resolved? What if some want to sell and others don't? Can any of them borrow against the business? If so, what limits are there?
 
This reminds me of a government that sprung up a long while ago in a far off land.
 
Evo said:
My thoughts too. Is everyone equal? Who knows how to run the business as opposed to just doing a specific job? How will conflicts on how to run the business be resolved? What if some want to sell and others don't? Can any of them borrow against the business? If so, what limits are there?
As far as I know, the ESOP rules apply. The shareholders get to vote for board members, like any shareholding company.

Then again, I got burned in an ESOP. We had two inside directors and 4 outside - but then it didn't appear that the outside directors were completely independent of the insiders - based on the stupid (negligent) decisions that were made. The outsiders resigned fairly quickly when the company took a nosedive.

Hopefully they have some business sense, and can work together.
 
Astronuc said:
As far as I know, the ESOP rules apply. The shareholders get to vote for board members, like any shareholding company.

Then again, I got burned in an ESOP. We had two inside directors and 4 outside - but then it didn't appear that the outside directors were completely independent of the insiders - based on the stupid (negligent) decisions that were made. The outsiders resigned fairly quickly when the company took a nosedive.

Hopefully they have some business sense, and can work together.
Hopefully he plans to stay on as an advisor as long as he can to make sure they are able to run the company.
 
Evo said:
Hopefully he plans to stay on as an advisor as long as he can to make sure they are able to run the company.
I think he's 81. Hope he mentored some people, or that his style influenced others.

I still keep in touch with the managers with whom I worked at the previous company (except for the Pres. who piloted the company into the nose dive). We actually had two presidents, because of our geographic distribution. The president of the division in which I worked is now a good friend, more or less, and we keep in touch. He surprised me one day when he came into my office for a father-son type of talk, just before he retired.
 

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