Customer Reviews

Managing Change (Essential Managers)

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Managing Change is a small book packed with information and ideas about managing change. It is direct and to-the-point. It is about 70 pages long and can fit in a jacket pocket which means that if you are busy implementing change, you can quickly read it (for example while in the metro going to and from work). This is also ideal if you need to implement change management soon or you are already implementing it and you need quick guidance on the way forward. If you are a facilitator or consultant and you need to present a crash course on managing change, you will find this little book very handy.

The book is divided into four sections namely:

* Understanding Change
* Planning Change
* Implementing Change
* Consolidating Change

These areas pretty covers all the main areas one would require when involved in a change process. The book is cheap and I would buy it for everyone involved in the change process, from the top of the organisation hierarchy to the front-line staff.

The book's main advantage of its compactness is also its main limitation. Not all the information required to become an effective change agent can be accommodated in a 70 or so page book. The book is excellent for a person looking for an entry-level book on the topic of managing change. This book will give you a good base structure from which to work. However, a more advanced student of change management would need to seek other books on the subject. I would recommend this book as a quick read while travelling.

All with practical techniques, Essential Managers series has 'Managing Change' that shows you how to initiate, anticipate and respond positively to change with the change! You can be an efficient and flexible manager to prove your worth with great accessible charts and flow diagrams and gear up for action and provide useful examples. Change is the single most important element of business management today says Rober Heller, the author of this series. With the rising economy level and competitions in the aggressive market, organizations and particularly individuals, have to adopt a positive attitude to bring about a 'Change'. To remain ahead of rivals, set trends and lead change in order to survive. Technical advice is given in this book on how to achieve the best from the staff by using their strengths and involving them at all stages. It has 101 concise tips with vital information and as usually found common in all Essential managers series - a self assessment exercise allows you to evaluate and improve your 'Change Management Skills'.

The contents are:
1.Understanding Change
a)Why Change? b)Understanding the causes of change c)Recognizing Sources of change d)Categorizing types of change

2.Planning Change
a)Focusing on goals b)Identifying the demand for change c)selecting essential changes d)evaluating complexity d)planning ways to involve people e)choosing a timescale f)making an action plan g)anticipating effects h)anticipating resistance to change i) testing and checking plans

3.Implementing Change
a)Communicating Change b)Assigning Responsibility c)Developing Commitment d)Changing culture e) Limiting Resistance

4. Consolidating Change
a) Monitoring progress b)Reviewing Assumptions c)Maintaining Momentum d)Building on Change e)Assessing your Change Management Skills.

The leaders do need to Change with the Change but now even an individual need to brush up his skills and minimize negatives. All change require changes in behavior which in turn flow from and create changes in attitude. Attitudes effect from job experiences, personnel changes, successes and setbacks and I feel, involvement thoroughly to be realistic and avoid complacency as success carries a hidden risk too. It's the need of the hour to be alert and aware. This book is a gem for any Corporate Office or Managers' office bookshelf. Even individuals who dream big to be leaders should possess and gift their bosses. Great Pick.

-ilaxi

This little booklet is full of small "sound bites" on the various aspects of change management and an ideal primer for people who want answers/ solutions "now." Has managed to capture major concepts and, through diagrams, pictures and charts, delivered them in an easy to understand and apply manner.

Nice book, but you must read other books about decision making to understand what this book is all about.