Robert H. Schaffer is the founder and Ronald N. Ashkenas is a managing partner of Robert H. Schaffer & Associates in Stamford, Connecticut. Schaffer is the author of The Breakthrough Strategy and High-Impact Consulting. Ashkenas is a coach to CEOs and speaker on organizational transformation. He is the coauthor of The Boundaryless Organization and The GE Work-Out. The authors can be reached at info@rhsa.com.

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

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 projects
* Improve operational performance and also attain hard results in the soft areas of management
* Build rapid results into major organizational change such as reorganization, acquisition integration, and international development
* Use rapid results to drive leadership development and culture change