The Poorly-managed Company

THE UNMANAGED COMPANY

A few weeks before graduating from business school, Pablo Cervantes began his job search in San Diego, California area. While he was reading through the classified advertisements, his eye caught one ad in particular.

“Energetic, go-getter wanted to join newly formed firm in the waste disposal field. We anticipate 500 percent growth in the first few years. Person joining our team must forget about constraints and roles imposed by most firms. Write us about yourself, Box 7654, this newspaper.”

Thinking “what can I lose?” Cervantes sent in his letter and resume. Much to his surprise, he received a telephone call about one week later. Marty Berg, the caller, said the represented Solar Waste and would like to meet Cervantes. The two men arranged a convenient time. Cervantes followed the directions to a cinder-block building in a fringe area of the city.

Berg escorted Cervantes to a corner of virtually empty building. They sat on two battered chairs adjacent to a work table. “Don’t let the appearances deceive you”, said Berg. “We’re into something big around here. We have one-million dollar contract up front the experiment with a new sun-driven solid waste disposal system. It is the wave of the future. The ad said we expect a 500 percent growth in the first few years, but that a conservatives estimate. The co-founder of the firm is a scientific genius. She thinks that she has the right idea to cure the waste-disposal problems in any sunny climate”.