James Champy

The authors assert that the current circumstances of business in America are not due to factors currently blamed (foreign competition, federal government, etc). The solution is not in automation, management-by-whatever concepts (e.g. TQM), but in totally rethinking a business in terms of whole processes. Reengineering is: "If I were re-creating this company today, given what I know and given current technology, what would it look like?" A business process is a "collection of activities that show more takes one or more kinds of input and creates an output that is of value to the customer" - the opposite of Adam Smith's breaking things apart (my comment: not really, it's just that we broke down beyond value in service and started administering processes because of rut thinking). Reengineering does not seek 5% or 10%, but much larger gains. Reengineering is about "reversing the industrial revolution." "The way to eliminate beaurocracy... is by reengineering the processes so that they are no longer fragmented. " Jobs change from tasks to multi-dimensional work. Advancement criteria changes from performance to ability (but pay is on performance). People's roles change from controlled to empowered. Job prep changes from training to education. It' s not a bad idea to burn bridges, eg "eine Flucht nach Vorn," and retreat forward (toward change). Team composition should include rising stars, insiders, and outsiders. show less

This is a slim book weighing in at 154 pages and is a follow up to Champy's other book OutSmart!

I appreciate the book's brevity and concise story telling. Champy says the book is aimed at helping today's businesses retool themselves with new thoughts, strategies and processes to help them grow their customer base and maintain it.

Out of the gate, he said that he kept companies that maintain 15% growth on his radar. And that all of the example companies fit that profile.
There are many "big show more names" in the book Puma, GoDaddy, etc. But many other smaller companies that are doing well. Much of the book is a new spin on old wisdom (i.e. be authentic, be passionate, solve customers' pain, etc.) and melded with contemporary stories.

I will say my favorite section was a profile on Bob Parsons and his company GoDaddy.com and how they "simplify the complex". That section seemed to have the most "take aways" for me.

This is a book that I would recommend for anyone looking to scribble out notes and new angles/pitches on their own businesses. show less

Substance: Although the examples are dated, the substance is not. Concentrates on methods of improving the company bottom-line by concentrating on what it is there to accomplish (can be applicable to other aspects of life).
Style: Straight-forward, with a refreshing absence of hype, false suspense, repetition, and inanity.

This was my pocket reference guide when I ran into major challenges transforming Fortune 500 processes from out of control to simply flowing with improved working climate. Timeless too.

Any Michael Hammer book is worth checking out. I have also read Beyond Reengineering.