Global Tolerance founder Simon Cohen gives away company worth up to $1.8 million

HE’S worked for 11 years to build his company from the ground up, now this man is giving it away, along with a lump of cash, and anyone can apply.

Global Tolerance Founder Simon Cohen is giving away the company he took 11 years to build

IT’S a pipe dream for many people to quit the rat-race and give up work for good.

But one founder of a global PR firm, who has worked with clients from the Dalai Lama to Wallace and Gromit and the Prince of Wales, is actually going through with it.

Global Tolerance’s founder and managing director Simon Cohen has launched a campaign to give away his company, valued at between $900,000 and $1.8 million.

The deal includes 95 per cent ownership, $18,000 in cash, an international reputation with clients in the US and UK, current company assets and a decade’s worth of business contacts. Mr Cohen will also stay on for one year to advise the new leader.

See the full description of the position here.

I am giving away my company. Here’s how you can apply to own and lead Global Tolerance! http://t.co/hWUviZ4S0U

— Simon Cohen (@mrsimoncohen) March 24, 2014

Mr Cohen outlined the reasons for his decision in a video on his website.

He said recently becoming a father led to the “biggest growth year of his life” where he thought about his role as a “guardian” as opposed to owning something outright.

“People ask me about ‘your child’ ‘your daughter,’ I don’t really feel that sense of ownership that she’s ‘mine’. She’s her own person. she’s her own entity,” he said.

“What I do feel is a deep sense of stewardship, a deep sense of responsibility.”

Applying this same approach to his company led to a “global search process” to find a new leader.

He told the BBC anyone from “starry-eyed graduates” to “well-seasoned” executives can apply.

Mr Cohen has worked with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

All the details are outlined in a question-and-answer session on the company website.

Mr Cohen said the move certainly “raised eyebrows” among accountants and staff at first, although they are now “wholeheartedly supportive”.

The new owner will get the opportunity to “restart” the company, which has been on sabbatical for a year after Mr Cohen took time out to focus on the birth of his daughter.

“The limited funds available will require an entrepreneurial approach, with shrewd financial planning, but this is much more than a ‘start up’ opportunity. It’s a restart, with the motor already running,” the website states.

Applications are now open, with the first step to tweet what #leadership means before filling out an application form and submitting a business plan.

What do you think of Mr Cohen’s idea? Continue the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ | @MrSimonCohen | @Victoria_Craw