The Secret Life of Pamphlets: A Look at How Anarchism and Creative Business Come Together

Ari Weinzweig
September 16, 2015
5:30- 7:00pm
Hatcher Graduate Library, Gallery (Room 100)

Zingerman’s co-founder Ari Weinzweig draws on his in-depth studies of anarchist approaches—bringing out the best in everyone in the organization, reducing hierarchy, the import of free choice, an abundance mentality, teaching everyone to lead, creativity and caring collaboration—to show how they fit with and support the basics of good business. He will get you thinking and leave you with a wholly different view of what anarchism—and good business—is all about.

This talk celebrates the release of Zingerman’s series of “Secret” pamphlets—individual essays excerpted from Ari’s nationally recognized series of business books, Zingerman’s Guides to Good Leading. The pamphlets contain cutting edge business insight from Zingerman’s progressive and positive approach to business, while at the same time honoring the work of anarchist publications in centuries past, for whom pamphlets were one of the most typical vehicles to spread ideas in the world.

Weinzweig was inspired by anarchist pamphlets in U-M Library’s Joseph A. Labadie Collection, a collection which began with a focus on anarchism and expanded to document the history of social protest movements and marginalized political communities from the 19th century to the present. It includes over 30,000 pamphlets along with thousands of books, posters, and other printed materials.