Resistance Is Futile, What The Borg Teach Us About Business

Resistance Is Futile, What The Borg Teach Us About Business

Jan 27, 2010
entrepreneur

If you’re familiar with Star Trek then you know of The Borg.  The Borg were a pseudo-race of cybernetic beings, half human – half cyborg, that were focused on capturing their enemies and forcing them to assimilate.  Assimilation consisted of turning their captured prey into a kind of half human – half cyborg type that only took direction from the mother ship.

As they captured their enemies and prepared to turn them into Borg’s they repeated “Resistance is futile” .  Why is it that many businesses treat their employees this way?

You Belong To The Borg

Today most companies have a standard set of policies and procedures that eerily reminds me of something The Borg would say.  “Work hours are 9-5, you will meet your quota’s, you will attend meetings on time, you will read  from the phone script, you will only take 2 weeks vacation, you will not be creative, you will only do your job, any attempt to deviate from the above will result in your immediate termination. Resistance is futile!” Ok so maybe I added that last sentence but you know the rest of it is pretty much standard operating procedure at most companies today.

So here’s the thing, why would you want to work for The Borg?  You don’t.  And that’s why you have aspirations of being an entrepreneur.

Breaking From The Borg

When you decide to branch out on your own and finally become an entrepreneur, breaking away from The Borg, how are you going to treat your employees?  Will you be innovative enough to offer 10 commandments like Zappos.  Will you have the guts to have a creative vacation policy like HubSpot? Well you can and its great to see that the companies that are doing the most innovative work are also the ones that aren’t assimilating to traditional business practices.

Let’s face it, with unemployment being as high as it is just having a job for many is a blessing.  However is that the best we can offer as entrepreneurs?  The days of businesses taking the stance that “your lucky to even have job” are over.  It’s time that each of us stop assimilating and start innovating.

What’s your feelings?  What are some trends that you’ve seen reshaping the work environment?  Leave a comment below.

photo credit

  • http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

    Man, I really like this. That’s exactly what it feels like when you have a job…or at least in all of them that I’ve had.

    Some people like that, but I can’t stand it. I’d rather live in a cardboard box than be assimilated.

  • http://jimijones.com/ Jimi Jones

    Hello, Rich.

    This is a nice piece, love that analogy.
    I left the corporate environment in 2002, hung up my shirts and ties for more control of my own fate. Many of my friends who still do the 9 to 5 thing are seeing a major shift backward as companies think they have the upper hand because of the sheer numbers of available replacements.

    But I have been telling them that the company really does not have the upper hand over your life.
    We were brainwashed into thinking this was the way it HAS to be, work 40 years and hope your money does not play out before you do. :-)

    The corporate life structure seems to be changing radically, and for the worst. People need to recapture their futures and not leave it to the decisions of a few starched shirts, but most will simply not move from their perceived comfort zones.

  • Todd Borton

    Hello Rich,

    Another good piece, but this one hits it right on. Was laid off in May form a Luxury boat company, playing a major roll in them getting JD powers award for 6 yrs., The blessings of my path changing, I've step into freelance design and it has been great, yes scary at times, the sense of newness is great!. I've found that companies are wanting some key people that are not full time (designers & engineers) and allow them the freedom to do other work seems to help keep you fresh,
    Example: I'm doing design/CAD work for a project that is being done at Lazzara, Bruce that owns Axcell (small world) and working 3 days a week for 5th wheel travel trailer company, plus My wife and I pruchase a Sign Studio in our town, So it's good to step out!!
    Thanks, Todd

  • http://www.RichLazzara.com/ Rich Lazzara

    Todd, crazy, yeah it is a small world. Neat that your working on stuff for the yachts. Im sorry to hear you got laid off but happy that youve been able to transition into freelance work. Your talented enough though to be able to do freelance stuff. Good luck and keep me updated.

  • http://www.RichLazzara.com/ Rich Lazzara

    Jimi, good for you!! I love your last quote..”but most will simply not move from their perceived comfort zones.” The perceived part is very insightful because that is the reality of it these days. The future of business is working for yourself. thanks for the comments.