[wubbfindel]

I do like the idea of a "flat" team/company - but I'm finding it hard to see how it would work with a company that does work for other clients. Clients expect deadlines, and progress reports and so on. How do you handle that without a project manager to keep things on track?

[wsc981]

I guess that's the difference in being a product company vs a service company. A service company might not have that kind of luxury I agree.

[wubbfindel]

I've been thinking about it and wondering if it could work for service company. Possibly it would if the clients also bought into how things are done.

Maybe the starting point for this would be if the whole team is involved in the process of vetting the clients and choosing the projects.

If enough people on the team are interested enough to make it work, then they will be motivated enough to please the client, agree to time scales, budget and all that sort of thing.

But, in all honesty, I'm not sure. You would have to be a company that everyone wants to use, so that you would have enough potential clients 'bidding' to be actual clients.

If this was possible, I would love to do it!

[ngenworks]

That's exactly right. At nGen Works we're working everyday to be a flat service company. We recently published out process so others can learn from our successes and mistakes. It's human nature to chase that which retreats from us. When you tell a prospect the team has to select them it turns the traditional model on it's head. Some prospects laugh and walk away. Others understand that they will get a passionate team that cares about their goals.

You can access our process wiki here. Check out the New Biz section (Phase Zero). http://process.ngenworks.com

Also, here is a video on our model. http://www.ngenworks.com/blog/the-jellyfish-model-a-video-su...

We're also working on a site that will be a resource for other service companies looking to go flat.

So far, being a service company going flat hasn't been easy, but we are seeing positive cultural and bottom line results. The toughest part is getting through the fear that it won't work.

[wubbfindel]

Interesting. Thanks, I'll look into that.

I kind of makes me happy that my thoughts are in line with what people are actually trying.