Rating: 
Summary: The most valuable book in my library!
Review: This book should be in the personal library of anyone who does consulting work, whether you are new to the field or a more seasoned practitioner. Holman and Devane have brought together the most cutting edge (and proven!) change methods, and presented them in a format that helps the reader quickly understand the fundamentals of each approach, and ultimately, "which method is best to use when." Aside from presenting a thorough summary of top change methods, the book provides detailed charts and checklists that helps the reader compare the different change approaches, identify the right method given their situation, and assists them in taking action to implement these methods in their organization. The book includes a series of planning/study questions to help the reader think through critical issues in selecting a method, in addition to providing "roles and responsibilities" checklists that help set up and structure each method for success. To top it off,the book offers an impressively thorough "resources" chapter which gives the reader lists of books, articles, organization names, phone numbers & email addresses to foster continued learning about the techniques described. I find the book to be a valuable resource to help guide my work, and an excellent reference source for these cutting edge techniques.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful!
Review: This handbook of change is a must-have for any executive, simply as a primer in the language spoken by consultants. Read this book and become instantly familiar with the latest, most successful, and even the trendiest theories of change management. The editors have evaluated 18 leading change methods, as applied and tested by some of the largest corporations in the United States. They group the change methods by functional categories, making it easier for readers to go directly to the method that applies to their particular problem. Another bonus: The leading practitioners in the field write the change method chapters, bringing a unique depth of perspective. The editors also have written several excellent chapters on the nature of change. An extraordinary comparative matrix - worth the price of the book by itself - is included in the "Afterword." We [...] recommend this book to executives, managers, change agents, human resources professionals and students.
Rating:
Summary: A good place to start for doing large scale interventions
Review: When you want to change a company and you do this top-down, using a cascade system in which higher levels of your organisation change the lower levels, you are in for a long change process. For instance, specialists will tell you it can take 7 years before you really change a company's culture. No wonder people like Art Kleiner (co-author of "The Dance of Change") will warn you that up to 70% of your change efforts will fail. The solution comes from taking a more systemic approach, involving as much people of the organisation at once as possible. These kinds of large scale interventions often do wonders if the management is willing to work in a more participative manner. Some methods are more directed to specific change goals, whether it is to set a new direction for your organisation or redefining working relationships (re-organising the buisiness); other methods are more adaptable. This book will help you find your way in the world of large scale interventions. The 18 proven group methods each have a chapter, written by originators and/or foremost practitioners. Each method-chapter includes a case, the explanation of the methodology, the conditions to success, the theoretical basis, etc. In the back of the book you'll find a table describing all 18 methods (explaining how many people can be involved, how lang the change process takes, how it impacts the organisation, etc.). Once you have found which method fits your situation, you'll find references to more specific books explaining a particular method. Another book painting the big picture as well is Barbara Bunker's "Large Scale Interventions". I recommend the book as a place to start, if you are prepared to treat your organisation as having more EQ than each of the individuals. Patrick E.C. Merlevede -- co-author of 7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence I also submitted a "listmania" list entitled "Systemic Large Group Interventions" in which you'll find more references on this topic.
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