Cambridge Business Association
Rapid Retooling
Book

Rapid Retooling

Developing World-Class Organizations in a Rapidly Changing World

Antoine Gerschel and Lawrence Polsky
ASTD Publications, 2013
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

The only constant in business is change. Competitors that evolve with the times will outpace companies that fail to update their operations. Leadership consultants Antoine Gerschel and Lawrence Polsky teach corporate leaders how to retool their companies, their employees and themselves to stay ahead of change and outrun their competition. The authors provide numerous valuable tips, tactics and techniques – plus instructional case histories – to help your organization manage necessary change. Despite some small proofing glitches, getAbstract recommends the authors’ take on how and when to address change, and directs your emphasis to the practices they outline to help you lead your organization through continuing transformation.

Summary

Depend on the Need for Change

The economy, technology, your competition or even a new CEO might force your company to change. Such a push for change can be positive or negative, but change itself is inevitable and ongoing. Dynamic companies must be able to retool quickly and regularly.

“Rapid retooling” – the best way to stay ahead of change – requires retraining and re-energizing your employees to help them develop new skills and knowledge and refocusing their efforts so they can excel in a changed environment. In practice, your employees must take responsibility for “retooling themselves.”

In a recent Forbes study, two-thirds of the 300 senior executives polled said companies must routinely change; one-third said they might have to alter their business models. In an IBM study, 67% of CEOs interviewed believe that business models are good only for three years. Employing a US Army term, futurist Bob Johansen warns that businesses now operate in a constant “VUCA” environment, that is:

  • “Volatile” – Change is constant. Prioritize your goals to help employees focus.
  • “Uncertain” – Encourage your employees...

About the Authors

Antoine Gerschel and Lawrence Polsky are managing partners at PeopleNRG, a corporate-change consultancy firm.

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