The Helix Factor: The Key to Streamlining Your Business Processes [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The process of improving an organization's ability to do business and continually add value to its constituents poses a formidable challenge..." (more)
Key Phrases: focused urgency, ending status, workflow model, Sales Order System, Sales Order Desk, Dick Cole (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...well written, informative, and easy to read. ...should help those managers who need a new and practical methodology to grow and survive in today's turbulent and dynamic global markets." -- Herbert F. Schantz, CDM, Member, The Association for Work Process Improvement

"Innovative and practical! Why would anyone want to approach business process improvement any other way?" -- Susan RoAne, author of the bestseller How to Work a Room

"Mike Wood presents a dynamic approach to managing business that combines structured thinking with common sense realities. GIVE IT A TRY... Your perspective will change; your priorities will become clearer and success will follow." -- Gerald E. Driggs, CEO/President, Corporation for Standards and Outcomes

"The author accomplishes the extraordinary: bridging the gap between theory and execution. Finally a book that describes complex business problems in a straightforward, easy-to-understand fashion and real solutions that can be applied immediately. I have used this methodology for years with significant results and measurable profits for many Fortune 500 companies." -- Saverio R. Scheri III, Practice Leader KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

"...well written, informative, and easy to read. ...should help those managers who need a new and practical methodology to grow and survive in today's turbulent and dynamic global markets." -- Herbert F. Schantz, CDM, Member, The Association for Work Process Improvement<br /><br />"Innovative and practical! Why would anyone want to approach business process improvement any other way?" -- Susan RoAne, author of the bestseller How to Work a Room<br /><br />"Mike Wood presents a dynamic approach to managing business that combines structured thinking with common sense realities. GIVE IT A TRY... Your perspective will change; your priorities will become clearer and success will follow." -- Gerald E. Driggs, CEO/President, Corporation for Standards and Outcomes<br /><br />"The author accomplishes the extraordinary: bridging the gap between theory and execution. Finally a book that describes complex business problems in a straightforward, easy-to-understand fashion and real solutions that can be applied immediately. I have used this methodology for years with significant results and measurable profits for many Fortune 500 companies." --Saverio R. Scheri III, Practice Leader KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Product Description

A time tested and virtually fool proof methodology for identifying and conducting winning Business Process Improvement Initiatives. Helix is not just a framework but a comprehensive methodology that flows from strategy to operations to supporting business applications. Through Helix companies can achieve streamlined performance, aligned IT applications and returns of 1000% and more.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Natural Intelligence Press; 1 edition (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965980936
• ISBN-13: 978-0965980937
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,655,593 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Seamless, Common Sense Approach, September 21, 2000

By	STEVEN L PHINNEY (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Finally, someone has taken common sense and applied it to business process improvement. Michael's methodology is very easy to follow and will allow those that don't want to dedicate their organization to Six Sigma or other complex programs, the ability to make tremendous impacts on the performance of their business. Excellent book, but would also recommend his second edition of the Helix factor, "The Implementation Guide," soon to be out in bookstores. This book takes The Helix Factor to a new level by providing a step-by-step guide to implementing this methodology, complete with all the documents as well as how to facilitate and analyze the information. This it the book most consultants are afraid of publishing, as it will allow one to execute a project on their own, without paying large consulting dollars for tremendous results.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Are You Ready for (Continuous) Continuous Improvement?, February 27, 2002

By	Business Rules Analyst "paparotz" (Florida) - See all my reviews

The title for this review is not a typo, nor is it redundant. Read "The Helix Factor". Internalize the principles.
Ask yourself and your organization the same questions that Michael Wood identifies in his book. Prepare your organization to benefit continuously by continuing to improve your business processes that tie directly to your business objectives.

If there is a missing link to Six Sigma, it is found in this book. This a "must read" for the business executive looking to take his company to the top. For those that feel they are at the top, you had best read this to stay there! And, more importantly, if your company faces seriuos business challeges, you may begin to map your renewal by adhering to the Helix Methodology.

Thank you Michael for a methodology that makes a difference!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely, December 27, 2005

By	Mark Brunner (Toronto Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

I received the Helix Factor as a gift, and read its back cover with skepticism. The back cover made claims that I couldn't expect to realize from reading one thin book. "You too can generare 500 to 1000 percent!"

I cracked the cover on my trek into work, and would have missed my bus stop if I wasn't with my lovely wife. The preface and dedication struck a chord, and the reasoning presented for writing the book inspired my curiosity. I dove into the first chapter "Helping people and Organizations Effect Positive Outomes". I was pleaseantly surprized how this chapter helped me to work through some issues that I was having difficulty with as a new Manager, introducing change management to an older company that had recently grown into an international organization through acquisition and merger.

The entire book was lacking fluff, and served up a good portion of not so common, common sense. As I got further and further into this book, I found myself shaking my head, laughing, and wondering why this book hadn't been written before! It is a collection of simple ideas, arranged in a logical fashion, and spelled out in easy to read, large type. It sits well with the SMART Objectives concept.

I applaud Michael Wood for taking the time to think his processes through, for clarifying many things about self and team improvement, and for contributing this knowledge to others. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is starting out in process improvement or design, management, and team building.

My only disappoinment was that the book referenced a "workbook" that I couldn't locate locally. I would very much enjoy reviewing this workbook and developing course material around it for delivery to others. Locating the workbook and reading the next version are on my To-Do list for 2006.

Thank you Michael,
Mark Brunner