Typically, when big innovations are initiated in organizations, improvement efforts are put in place without careful consideration for how they will play out on the micro level. As a result, they often die on the vine. Rapid Results! solves the problem of successful implementation.

Preface vii Part One: Implementation Capability: Strengthening the Weakest Link 1. A Thousand Cures: Which One is Right? 3 2. The Potential is There to Respond 17 3. Start with Results, Not Preparations 31 Part Two: Rapid Results: Expanding Implementation Capability 4. Gain Rapid Results on Key Goals 51 5. Mobilize Large Numbers of People in Change 73 6. Build Your Own Unique Transformation Process 97 7. Georgia-Pacific Takes It All the Way 111 Part Three: Using Enhanced Implementation Capability to Execute Large-Scale Change 8. Make Acquisitions and Mergers Succeed 133 9. Unleash Implementation Capacity in Developing Countries 153 10. Spark Strategic Momentum with Rapid Results 173 11. Develop Leaders Through Results Achievement 193 Part Four: Conclusion 12. Challenge for Leaders: You Can Make It Happen! Will You? 213 Notes 231 Acknowledgments 237 The Authors 239 Index 243

In the race to be more competitive, today’s leaders know that the “right answer” is right only if the organization can make it work. Without implementation capacity at every level–from the grass roots on up–large-scale changes and innovations have little chance for success.Rapid Results! shows how to make large-scale changes succeed by using 100-day results-producing projects to develop this vital implementation capability. Written by Robert H. Schaffer, Ronald N. Ashkenas, and their associates—leaders in the field of change management—Rapid Results! describes an approach that has been field-tested by real organizations of every size and description to improve performance and speed the pace of change. Rapid results projects produce results quickly, introduce new work patterns, and enable participants to learn a variety of lessons about managing change. Step by step, the book describes how the use of rapid-cycle, or 100-day, projects will multiply your organization’s power to succeed at large-scale change. Schaffer and Ashkenas specifically outline the concept behind 100-day projects and show you how to: Set up the architecture to implement rapid results projectsImprove operational performance and also attain hard results in the soft areas of managementBuild rapid results into major organizational change such as reorganization, acquisition integration, and international developmentUse rapid results to drive leadership development and culture change Each rapid result project tests innovations and builds the capability of individuals and the organization as a whole. Once in place, this process will help your organization develop the fundamental capacity to achieve the longest-term and most far-reaching gains. Imagine; with rapid results projects you can experience the immediate gratification of results while also opening the doors to long-term success!

"The 100-day deadline drives an incredible amount of creativity. Because we were getting closer to our customers and partnering with them on the rapid results projects, we found new ideas for what they needed that we could supply." --Dean A. Scarborough, president and chief executive officer, Avery Dennison "The rapid results projects described in this book provide a structured way to get people to contribute and be successful. That, and the tight time pressure, keeps people moving ahead instead of wallowing in complex processes." --A. D. “Pete” Correll, chairman and chief executive officer, Georgia-Pacific "We have found that this approach energizes teams and provides an intense focus on getting results. At the same time, it is helping to build the capacity of our organization to drive transformational change." --Martha Marsh, president and CEO, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Palo Alto, California "Just do it! Do it now! These simple words reflect the mantra of Rapid Results! And they work. The book offers hope for those who really want to change. It shows that even large, complex transformations can be accomplished with 100-day rapid results projects. It provides sound principles that can be adapted and applied by any leader who faces the challenge of getting things done. It’s not only a good read, but a good toolkit for action." --Dave Ulrich, professor, University of Michigan, RBL partner, and coauthor, The HR Value Proposition "For leaders in search of the secret to success for their organization, this is the one book they should read. Rapid Results! will help them unlock extraordinary levels of performance—now and with each passing quarter." --Patrick O’Sullivan, group CFO, Zurich Financial Services "This is an approach that can be taken to accelerate progress on almost any goal. It has helped us make significant progress." --Lynne Fisher, managing director, head of diversity and talent, Citigroup EMEA