Building a self-organized sound supersystem.

The Echo1 principles & practices is the secret martial arts manual of every one of our companies. Our vision for a better company is one that is transparent, diverse and holacratic, in which there are no power structures or hierarchies, and where every partner is valued equally. We believe in open data and open financials, and we think everyone should have a say in how time and money are shared and invested.

Trust
Fun
Freedom
Extreme

Trust

The foundation of any relationship, trust is all the more crucial in an organisation of equals, so we seek to foster absolute trust among every Echo1 partner.
Fun

We think working should be a pleasurable and important part of our lives. So we strive to make it fun and challenging at all times.
Freedom

Everyone is given the right to carve their own path within the company, and everyone has the duty to respect everyone else's freedom.
Extreme

Self-organized and informed by fractal theory, we continuously evolve to express our purpose. Similar to nature, work at Echo1 is emergent, fluid and multi-layered with interesting details emerging at all scales. Every individual is autonomous and empowered to operate across the organization.

Self Organization Framework - Holacracy

In traditional hierarchies, layers of management establish how products are approved and monitored. Echo1's approach is different and based on Holacracy, where the power traditionally reserved for executives and managers is equally spread across all employees.

Fractal Acceleration

Echo1 is more than a company, it's a breeding ground for entrepreneurs and innovators. We're building an ecosystem that is not only about business co-creation but also contains a built-in business co-creation feedback loop inspired by fractal theory - Every Echo1 movement pledges to invest in and co-create other movements on their own with the help of our accelerator DNA - SCALE. Through this, we endeavour to exponentially scale our efforts.

Collaboration

We believe collaboration is the best way to navigate our complex rapidly changing world. Collaboration allows us to come together as a multi-sensory/multi-skilled force that is able to tackle problems beyond our individual limits. We leverage Collaborative Human Intelligence (CHI) that is multiple times more powerful than the current best artificial intelligence. Our people are free to choose the whole spectrum of collaboration modes from “tribal” style discussion sessions to formalized Design Thinking methodologies.

Lean Experimentation

A culture of experimentation is supported across Echo1. Our people often sense problems and opportunities they are passionate to solve or pursue. They are free to solve or pursue these any time they want. We encourage the adoption of techniques/ideas from Lean Startup or similar lean principles in order to inform experimentation and maximize value creation.

Dare to Fail

Nothing dampens evolution like fear of failure. At Echo1, we’ve created an environment where failure is not only accepted, but celebrated. Because once you're comfortable with the possibility of failing, your most daring and impactful ideas start to emerge.

Metric System - Objectives & Key Results

Self-organization is not always efficient. A fractal-influenced metric-based system like Objectives & Key Results ensures that our people are happily trodding along the right path.

Consultation Process

Just like a wild eco-system, Echo1 is often full of surprises. Sometimes these surprises come in the form of “forest fires” that impact multiple Movements/Individuals. It is our responsibility as partners of the eco-system to announce clearly our intent even if we eventually decide to start a forest fire! No one should stop what they are doing just because others think it is not right. Conversations and consultation within the eco-system allow each Movement/Individual to leverage CHI to make the best choice possible.

Measure Engagement

We measure engagement frequently using anonymous feedback tools. We distribute this information regularly to our people so that they can decide on how best to act.

Language & Maximizing Freedom

Language is one of the pillars of humanity's success as a species and it is also what makes us uniquely human. Unfortunately, the impreciseness of language is a double-edged sword giving rise to both wonderful happy accidents and bitter arguments. Good communication is key in Echo1. We encourage our people to use language that maximizes freedom - allowing everyone to obtain full expression of ideas.

Push Information, Pull Decisions

Maximizing emergence is key to proper functioning of CHI. By not pushing decisions onto others, our people allow others to surface ideas. Collaboratively set boundaries, share information and watch the magic happen!

Set clear, non-limiting boundaries

To solve any complex problem, we have to set clear boundaries. But our boundaries should allow maximum emergence within its borders, so that ingenious and innovative solutions can emerge naturally.

Financial Information Transparency

Open access to information is pivotal for the proper functioning of CHI. Sharing financial and salary information is especially tricky as they are often cultural taboo topics. But, just like the human body does not hide the pain of one part from the other, we believe that being fully truthful about our finances and adopting peer to peer controlled remuneration systems would allow our people to make the best choices within Echo1 and create the most equitable distribution of wealth possible.

Mission

Making the world sound better.

Discover our mission

Echosystem

We're bringing great ideas together.

See our portfolio