Running the Corporate Rapids

PROJECT SYNOPSIS "Running The Corporate Rapids" My intention was to create a book on the organizational and psychological ramifications of transforming traditional corporate cultures into flexible, dynamic, agile business enterprises. This is not a new theme, in fact, much has been written on the subject by several authors. What differentiates this work from that of previous publications is that it is written from the perspective of someone that has been "in the trenches" as both an operational CEO and a Business Consultant. Previous attempts at "how to" books on this subject have dealt largely with the structural/organizational aspects of this transformation and have not effectively addressed the human behavioral component. In fact, in an article in the Wall Street Journal, an interview was conducted with the authors of Re-engineering the Corporation, Michael Hammer and James Champy in which The Journal stated "But the book, for all of its theoretical elegance, glossed over the massive career disruptions caused by the process. Re-engineering work usually required fewer workers and far fewer managers. Managers resisted, stymieing many re-engineering efforts." Both Hammer and Champy have agreed that they missed the significant component --- the people. This is the exact area that my book addresses. The book is a combination of theory, tools and practical application formulas punctuated with anecdotal stories from both operating and consulting experiences. This is a "shirt sleeve", pragmatic guide to dealing with the problems, challenges and opportunities facing managers and executives in every day business situations. The message behind the book will be "Creating a New Common Sense in Business." In the past American business has, at best, given lip service to the concept of putting people first. We have been resource based enterprises (money, bricks & sticks, equipment, etc.) Today we have left the Industrial (resource based) Era, have transition

JOHN R. ANDERSON

Mr. Anderson's background includes general management and profit responsibility at the Chief Executive and Board level. As a Senior Business Consultant and Principal at The Glowan Consulting Group, his assignments have included working with top management teams to assist them in adapting to today's rapidly changing business paradigms, developing flexible business and corporate strategies, raising capital and increasing, productivity and profitability.

For the past 15 years, Mr. Anderson has been a student of human behavior and has developed workshop products and consulting interventions to enable individuals and teams to work more efficiently and productively. His areas of expertise include Strategic planning, Marketing & Sales, Productivity Improvement, Team Building, Organizational Development, Cross Functional and Self Directed Work Team Implementation, Group Dynamics and Individual Human Behavior.

Mr. Anderson served in Executive and Management positions over a 20-year operating career and moved into consulting following the sale of his last business.

Positions held include President & CEO, Executive Vice President, Vice President Marketing & Sales and Director of International Operations for high-tech companies in the computer and communications business.

Mr. Anderson has served as a Director of three California corporations, one New York Corporation, and one "not for profit" New York foundation.

Mr. Anderson has a technical background in computer technology and electronics and is a published author of the book "Running the Corporate Rapids" and numerous technical marketing articles in publications including Data Communications, Communications International, Electronics News and Datamation. He has also served as a consultant and guest speaker on computer and industrial security for SRI International and The American Society of Industrial Security.

His clients include:

AT & T Global Information Solutions Davies Medical Center
Cummins West, Inc. Pacific Bell Directory
Abgenix Pinkerton Security
Pacific Bell Information Services AirTouch International
Hitachi Data Systems Grant Thornton

GRIC Communications Alexian Brothers Hospital
Tandem Computers Mid Peninsula Home Care