Rapid Results!

Robert H. Schaffer is the founder and Ronald N. Ashkenas is a managing partner of Robert H. Schaffer & Associates in Stamford, Connecticut. Schaffer is the author of The Breakthrough Strategy and High-Impact Consulting. Ashkenas is a coach to CEOs and speaker on organizational transformation. He is the coauthor of The Boundaryless Organization and The GE Work-Out. The authors can be reached at info@rhsa.com.

In the business world, it's all about rapid results. Schaffer and Ashkenas are here to make sure your company is maintaining the pace.In the lightning-fast business landscape of the 21st century, managers are expected to produce solid results, quickly. According to the authors, the key to creating widespread, lasting progress begins with achieving rapid results at the micro level—as you engineer small victories, your company will build a solid foundation for future, more global success. With their 100-day projects, the authors lay the groundwork for organizations to experience marked success at the micro level, which will eventually lead to increased productivity and the ability to implement necessary reorganization on the larger management level. Some of key points include the necessity of mobilizing large groups of people to initiate change, the importance of creating a unique transformation plan for your company and the significance of applying these principles in developing countries. Both authors bring a record of proven success coaching CEOs and other upper-level management, and they provide copious examples of rapid results successes, including Georgia-Pacific, Citigroup, U.S. Borax and United Aluminum.In an arena where quick success is paramount, learn the tools of Rapid Results or get left behind. (Kirkus Reports Business Newsletter, October 2005) "In an arena where quick success is paramount, learn the tools of Rapid Results or get left behind." (Kirkus Reports)"Ownership of the idea doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the approach works." (CIO Insight Magazine Review by Paul B. Brown, October 2005)

• Preface viiPart One: Implementation Capability: Strengthening the Weakest Link1. A Thousand Cures: Which One is Right? 32. The Potential is There to Respond 173. Start with Results, Not Preparations 31Part Two: Rapid Results: Expanding Implementation Capability4. Gain Rapid Results on Key Goals 515. Mobilize Large Numbers of People in Change 736. Build Your Own Unique Transformation Process 977. Georgia-Pacific Takes It All the Way 111Part Three: Using Enhanced Implementation Capability to Execute Large-Scale Change8. Make Acquisitions and Mergers Succeed 1339. Unleash Implementation Capacity in Developing Countries 15310. Spark Strategic Momentum with Rapid Results 17311. Develop Leaders Through Results Achievement 193Part Four: Conclusion12. Challenge for Leaders: You Can Make It Happen! Will You? 213Notes 231Acknowledgments 237The Authors 239Index 243