Bill Morales

StudioBlu Show #5 :: How We Transitioned to a Democratic Company

Bill Morales :: CEO, Tracer Corporation

Can a company transition from a command-and-control model to a democratic model? Tracer Corporation, a provider of commercial aviation parts based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, did just that. Since 1993, CEO Bill Morales had been running his company using the traditional command-and-control model of management that he learned in the military. Then September 11th occurred, and in order for Tracer to stay in business, Bill had to radically rethink his leadership and management style. In this interview, host Traci Fenton talks with Bill about how he transformed Tracer into an award-winning democratic company and the powerful, practical, and challenging leadership lessons he’s learned along the way.

Derek Sivers
StudioBlu Show #4 :: How I “Messed Up” My Democratic Company
Derek Sivers :: Founder, CD Baby

What makes a democratic company get off track? In 1997, Derek Sivers founded CD Baby, the largest online seller of independent record labels in the US based in Portland, Oregon. He set up the company to run democratically. But as the years went on and the company grew, things began to change. In this candid interview, Derek talks openly with host Traci Fenton about how he “messed up” his democratic company and offers practical and clear advice about how to avoid the pitfalls that can make a thriving democratic company loose its way.

Mark Dowds

StudioBlu Show #3 :: We Vote for Our Leaders

Mark Dowds :: Co-Founder + CEO, Brainpark

Can a Silicon Valley start-up use a democratic, rather than command-and-control, model of business and still make its investors happy? Mark Dowds, co-founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Brainpark believes it can. This WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces™ awardee not only believes that organizational democracy is the best model of business, the company based its entire product line on it as well. Brainpark is a software product that makes the workplace more collaborative, transparent, and efficient. Listen as Mark Dowds speaks with host Traci Fenton about why Brainpark employees vote for their leaders and why more Silicon Valley entrepreneurs should consider taking a democratic approach to the way they run their businesses.

Brian Scudmore

StudioBlu Show #2 :: Why Democracy In Business Works

Brian Scudmore :: Brian Scudamore, Founder + CEO, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

1-800-GOT-JUNK?, based in Vancouver, Canada, is the world’s largest junk removal service. Founded in 1989 by Brian Scudamore, this three-time WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces™ awardee company is frequently recognized as one of the most people-centered workplaces in the world. Host Traci Fenton talks with Brian about some of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s best democratic practices, such as “huddles,” what it takes to successfully lead a democratic company, and why after all these years he finally understands why democracy in the workplace is absolutely vital.

Bill Taylor

StudioBlu Show #1 :: Is Your Company “Practically Radical?
Bill Taylor :: Author and Co-Founder, Fast Company

According to Bill Taylor, only the “practically radical” will survive in today’s global economy. And he should know. Bill is the Co-Founding editor of Fast Company magazine, co-author of the international best-seller, Mavericks at Work and author of the forthcoming book, Practically Radical. He has witnessed first-hand the evolution of the new economy into a flatter, faster and more decentralized networks where conversations, collaboration, and transparency are the new rules of the game. In this lively and energetic conversation with host Traci Fenton, Bill shares powerful examples of “practically radical” ideas – including organizational democracy – and how putting these ideas to work can help your company outsmart the competition and rewrite the rules of business in the process