Solutions Focus Working

Fourteen organisations all over the world tell the stories of how Solutions Focus has helped them to change - and show you many ways to find what works in the workplace. This book is a massive fund of experience and know-how about keeping organisational change simple. The fourteen real life cases described here illustrate the Solutions Focus approach in action from widescale change to everyday effective management. The cases come from a very wide range of organisations, including Lufthansa, British Sky Broadcasting, Bayer Cropscience, the Cooperative Group, the Ontario Medical Association and Freescale Semiconductor. They worked on issues including restructuring, strategy development, sales improvement, continuous improvement, team development, outplacement, training and job satisfaction. International consultants and Solutions Focus pioneers Mark McKergow and Jenny Clarke guide you through the ins and outs of each case, and draw 80 lessons which you can use in building positive change at work and keeping things as simple as possible - but no simpler. "Filled with the wisdom of profound simplicity. I highly recommend this insightful and practical book." - Stephen MR Covey, author of "The Speed of Trust".

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introducing Solutions Focus Chapter 2: The Power Of One When coaching one man changes an organisation Carey Glass and the Cooperative Group Chapter 3: Engaging people for innovation Bringing strategy to life in Canadian healthcare Minna Graham and the Ontario Medical Association Chapter 4: Turning the tables on quality Solutions Focus meets continuous improvement at Sky TV Trevor Durnford and British Sky Broadcasting Chapter 5: Back To The Future Increasing Sales with Positive Differences Kathrin Bauer, Gunter Lueger and Magazzin Chapter 6: Making sense of information Developing a patient-friendly framework for hospital planning Peter Rohrig and the Cologne Local Health Conference Chapter 7: Small steps and Trojan mice One manager's story of using SF in everyday work Mona Hojab and Peabody Trust Chapter 8: Optimising the Organisation (needs better) Restructuring at Freescale Semiconductor Jenny Clarke and Freescale Semiconductor Chapter 9: Solutions Focus Tackles Complexity Finding a way forwards through the legal and regulatory jungle Kirsten Dierolf and Bayer Cropscience Chapter 10: Creating a future when facing redundancy Solutions Focused outplacement at Lufthansa Cargo Monika Houck and Lufthansa Cargo Chapter 11: Getting a team working together Establishing more effective ways of working for a senior team Peter Szabo, Daniel Meier and EB Zurich Chapter 12: Listening and letting go Transforming a training department Mark McKergow and Chelsea Building Society Chapter 13: Change is in the eye of the beholder Improving job satisfaction in Sweden Bjorn Johansson, Eva Persson and Lund employment office Chapter 14: Project management - surprisingly light and successful How to stage an international conference without an action plan in sight SOL 2005 Interlaken conference team Chapter 15: What went well? Addressing a business disaster with Solutions Focus Hans Zeinhofer and Energie AG Vertrieb GmbH Chapter 16: Solutions Focus Working Eighty lessons for successful organisational change Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Dr Mark McKergow is an international consultant, speaker and author, as well as a publisher. Many people around the world have been inspired by his work in Solutions Focus - presented wth his inimitable blend of scientific rigour and performance pizazz. He is a global pioneer applying Solutions Focus ideas to organisational and personal change. His book 'The Solutions Focus: the SIMPLE Way to Positive Change' (co-authored with Paul Z Jackson) was published by Nicholas Brealey in 2002 and declared one of the year's top 30 business books in the USA. A scientist by training and by nature, Mark continues to seek simplicity and reliability in learning and change. His influences range from systems thinking ands brain research to language, narrative and philosophy. He has presented on every continent except Antarctica, and is an international conference keynote presenter. Recent clients include Shell, Procter & Gamble, Nationwide, BBDO Canada and Freescale Semiconductor. He was a key figure in starting the SOL conferences in 2002 and is still closely involved with the organisation. After a career in the energy industry, Jenny Clarke has spent the last 15 years as a consultant working as a solutions focused facilitator and trainer, helping people who want to change what they do or how they do it. She works with large organisations who are adapting to change, and as a personal coach to managers and directors. Her strengths are in communication, presentation, consultation and negotiation. Her style is facilitative and enthusiastic Jenny has travelled the world hosting workshops for managers, consultants and coaches and is a regular presenter at the International Alliance for Learning's annual conferences. A founder member of the SOL (Solutions in Organizations Linkup) International Steering Group, Jenny was a key member of the organising committee for the first two SOL international conferences (see www.solworld.org). Mark and Jenny edited 'Positive Approaches to Change: Applications of Solutions Focus and Appreciative Inquiry at Work', published by SolutionsBooks in 2005.

Review :
"Filled with the wisdom of profound simplicity. I highly recommend this insightful and practical book." Stephen MR Covey, author of The Speed of Trust "A superb book for anyone interested in how to address change." Mike Brent, Ashridge Business School "An invaluable practical resource" Dr Sabine Demkowski, The Coaching Centre "A 'must read' recommendation... It immediately expands the applications of the brilliant Solutions Focus approach" Paul R Scheele, author of Photoreading and Natural Brilliance