A STAKE IN THE OUTCOME ™
Jack Stack wrote his second book to tell the world that Open-Book Management works, and that if done right, it leads to long-term business success for organizations and long-term personal success for employees... Building Value in Business and People
Like its namesake, A Stake in the Outcome™ is a program that gives forward-thinking companies an edge over their competition and sends a clear message to consumers that they care about their people.
HOW IT WORKS
Every employee is given the measures of business success and taught to understand them.
Every employee is expected to use their knowledge to improve performance.
Every employee has a direct stake in the company’s success.
Each "Stake in the Outcome" company undergoes a strict annual appraisal process that ensures these principles and practices are in force in that business.
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Askinosie Chocolate ™ has been getting a lot of press for their Authentic Single Origin Chocolate and the unique way they share their success with both their employees and their suppliers.
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JOIN THE PROGRAM
If A Stake in the Outcome ™ sounds like you and your company, we invite you to join the program. Please contact Steve Baker at The Great Game of Business, 800-386-2752, or to apply.
A LETTER FROM SHAWN ASKINOSIE
In January, Shawn Askinosie, founder of Askinosie Chocolate, traveled to Costa Rica to visit with the cacao farmers he employs as part of his participation in the Stake In The Outcome program. Following is a letter written by Shawn during that trip.
Thoughts on my meeting with the farmers...
The town we traveled to for our meeting in Soconusco is just above the coastal plains, about 500 meters above sea level. The road rises sharply and the town is literally in the clouds all of the time. It took some time to get to; as the road is not paved, the main means of transportation is horseback.
A alarm siren sounded and people from around the village began to gather inside the meeting hall. At first the sound reminded me of a tornado siren. We began the meeting with a representative of the local government making introductions. I asked our lead farmer / manager Jorge Marroquin to speak first and explain the history of our relationship.
Then I talked about A Stake In The Outcome, what it means to share profits, and why that concept has been important to me from the beginning. I explained our packaging and showed them the picture of Jorge on the front. I showed them the map that comes in every bar of chocolate and that Soconusco is on the map, literally. I used an overhead projector (obtained miles away in the capital) to show photos of our factory, our family, our equipment, our chocolate, and pictures of them and their town. They erupted in laughter and excitement at seeing themselves. I am glad we took the trouble to show the photos because it was something I almost didn't do.
Jorge then explained our Stake In the Outcome calculation line by line. He explained that we had not completed selling the chocolate and that these numbers were based on historical fact and also projection. Then I told them the bottom line of how much each farmer would receive.
Applause was not something I expected but applause we got Wednesday at the meeting of our farmers. The stress of the loss of my luggage just melted away.
One by one as each farmer's name (19 in all) was called the group applauded for them in congratulations. I handed them the money, shook hands, and they signed their name in receipt.
Several of the farmers rose to speak after we shared profits with them. All of them spoke of how much they appreciated what we did, and of how their local buyers that they have done business with for a long time have never done anything like this. They said that I was a person of my word. Several of the farmers thanked God for putting us in their path.
One of the farmers in attendance at the meeting hall asked if it was too late to sell to us and be part of the group. THIS kind of attitude is exactly what we were hoping for.
After the meeting we took a group photo.
The farmers all live in the town of Nuevo Costa Rica in Soconusco and after the meeting they wanted to give me a gift. It was only a few minutes and the men returned with a bag full of fresh oranges, which were wonderful by the way. Then one of the senior leaders of the farmer group invited us to his house. His wife wondered if we had time for hand-made tortillas; my question is when isn't there time for such a delicacy. Along with the tortillas the ladies served fresh chicken soup, some beans and cheese. Then more gifts of fruit to take back with me.
Since the airlines have found my luggage I am going back to Nuevo Costa Rica today to bring the farmers some of our chocolate and let them taste what we made together.
I am planning to have Jorge present a workshop to these farmers on tree pruning as a means to prevent disease on the cacao pods sometime in the next two weeks. This will further underscore our commitment and enhance the relationship between us and them.
Your friend,
Shawn