Since 1844 when the Rochdale Pioneers founded the first co-op that endured in history, business leaders have attempted to reconcile the advantages of a democratic business model into the economic rewards of a corporation. As early as 1998, aware of the increase in market growth, Good Vibrations started hiring an experienced management team: professionals with the experience to make the business structure more competitive and nimble without loosing the fundamental characteristics that made them successful in the first place. Always a non-traditional business, Good Vibrations worker/owners and management knew their task was marrying its one-of-a-kind history with state-of-the-art contemporary best practices.
"The opportunity of taking a co-operative into a new business structure is very exciting," Theresa Sparks, Good Vibrations' CFO, said. "Helping shape a company to adapt and embrace global growth without compromising its democratic operations is a challenge, but a participatory style of management is a core value of Good Vibrations and fundamental part of who we are."
One thing that hasn't changed is the company's dedication to up-to-date education. Good Vibrations, founded almost 30 years ago by a sex therapist and educator, was the first company in the industry to employ a doctor of human sexuality. Dr. Carol Queen, Staff Sexologist, has been with Good Vibrations for fifteen years and is well known worldwide for her nine books, sex education videos, and a multitude of television appearances, hundreds of interviews and published articles. She has been the company's sex education spokesperson since the retirement of Joani Blank, Good Vibrations founder, sold her business to its workers in 1992.
"Ours is an industry that has historically sold products regardless of their quality, and when it's provided, any information at all has often been riddled with inaccuracies," Dr. Queen said. "Misinformation about sexual functioning, pleasure and health can have serious consequences in people's lives; we promise our customers informed good quality, plus correct and non-judgmental information. It is imperative to continue the grassroots outreach and emphasis on education that has been the cornerstone of the company. Our customer service and our brand depend on it."
What are the ingredients to making a successful shift from a co-operative model to a more traditional, yet progressive culture? Sparks highlights a few key points; "Never loose sight of the original vision that launched your current success, budget for profitability, institute planning, efficiency and accountability as part of our business model, re-invest in the people and infrastructure of the company, never compromise on training and education and, finally, make change and strategic adaptation fundamental to the culture and daily operation of the company."
For more information, visit www.goodvibes.com.
