Inside, even though structural supports are exposed and open space seems vast, the horsepower in this barn is all high-tech. Colorful cables, called pythons by West and his employees, spiral down from the lofty ceilings, serving as conduits for electrical, telephone and Internet connections. West abolished secretaries, tossed out the time clock, eliminated office walls and cubicles, and shredded the organizational chart. SEI s operation is based on customer-support teams. Another 450 employees work on 20 self-managed teams at SEI offices in seven countries.
Some teams are permanent, created to serve major customers and markets.
Others are temporary, employees who collaborate on a project or problem and disband. Desks, filing cabinets, pedestals and chairs are on wheels so employees can roll from one team to another. The company is so fluid it takes a software program to keep track of its rambling employees. SEI is the embodiment of West s vision of a 21st century company. In today s environment, you turn the organization upside down, West says.