Please indulge me for a moment as I look back at the last year following the publication of my book, ‘Save the Silver Bullet…The small steps to successful transformation’.
It has been an extraordinary time for me with opportunities to speak to global and local organisations, industry bodies and at major conferences on the drivers of successful transformation. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend some time with wonderful people around the world from Sydney to Singapore and from Bangkok to Boston.
Some of you have also been kind enough to give me your thoughts on the book. To spare your blushes, I’ve left out the name of the person but you know who you are! Thank you. A few quotes below:
“I finished your book last night : it makes enjoyable reading, with a good balance between narrative and concepts. It very clearly makes the point that there is no silver bullet but equally sets the record straight for the ill-informed people who maintain that “every integration or transformation is different so why plan ahead or follow any form of framework or guidelines”.
The only part I struggled with (but got the point after re-reading it) is the one on “plasticity”, possibly because of the choice of words and the third definition by Merriam-Webster which in first reading seemed a little pedantic. But I landed on my feet shortly afterwards when you mention “agility”, “adaptability” and “responsiveness”! Actually, definition Nr 2 makes a point that too many people overlook : “the ability to retain a shape attained by pressure deformation”; as you and I know very well, there can be a tendency for things to pop back into their initial shape, for transformation to go into reverse, for post-merger integrations to curdle over time into an adversarial “us and them” …
So, Ben, well done ! With your choice of case studies and the points made in the interviews, you have managed to conceptualize transformation without turning your book into an obscure PhD thesis. It’s the right length too, for my liking, with a good flow that keeps one reading.” (from a very senior post merger integration / transformation lead)
“I have to say it was a really gripping read! I was particularly impressed with the way that you captured all the messiness, small details, personal connections and so on that all add up to something exceptional. I think that also leads in to your admirable restraint in not trying to present a “transformation by numbers” how-to guide. You captured perfectly the subtleties and shades that are at the heart of some very complex worlds.
My most sincere congratulations – all of that blood, sweat and tears has led to something that makes a genuinely unique addition to the body of human knowledge on a complex and often underestimated subject.
A cracking read, well done!!” (from a global customer experience subject matter expert)
“Organisational and cultural transformation – be it through M&A or otherwise – remains a ever-present part of business life. And yet, as Ben points out, transformation programmes still all-too-often fall short of their potential.
Whether you’re a change and transformation expert or not, ‘Save the Silver Bullet’ provides a valuable and provocative look at why this is and what can be done differently. The combination of interviews from those at the transformation coalface, in-depth case studies and a core framework delivers a really valuable read.
The core framework of ‘Process, Purpose and Plasticity’ in particular opens an interesting window onto the importance of combining the process and human elements in delivering successful transformation.” (from an internationally renowned communications specialist)
For those of you who stumble across this and haven’t had a chance to get a copy, I’ve ‘helpfully’ attached a link below! Please let me know what you think.
But above all to all those with the perseverance to continue to read my ‘ramblings’, thank you.
Categories: C suite leadership, Change management, Communication, Complex transformation, Implementation, Mergers & acquisitions, post acquisition integration, Post merger integration, Transformation
Tags: Behavioural change, culture, stakeholder management
Inarticulate ramblings of a management consultant 