
To the Desert and Back
The Story of One of the Most Dramatic Business Transformations on Record
Jossey-Bass (Publisher)
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 29. December 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
280 pages
978-0-470-62692-4 (ISBN)
Description
Dove, Lipton, Knorr, Ben & Jerry's, and Slim*Fast are a few of the brands that are part of the $66 billion global empire known as Unilever. When the story opens, one of its divisions is in deep trouble- declining volume, eroding margins, critical quality problems- and is close to being sold off. Then Tex Gunning, its visionary new division chairman, takes the stage, an expanding circle of young leaders takes charge, and once-skeptical workers embrace a challenging message of growth. The result? The division grows by double digits, year in and year out, and energizes Unilever's path to thrive around the globe. To the Desert and Back tells the inside story of the transformation in the words of the people in all quarters of the company who made it happen. It documents five years of personal soul-searching, teamwork, companywide learning conferences, memorable journeys to the mountains and desert, and inspired promotions that show how these efforts produced a remarkable top-to-bottom turnaround. This story delivers authentic and convincing proof that a revitalized business is about personal growth.
The lessons learned from this dramatic business turnaround provide unexpected insights and encouraging inspiration for other companies and leaders ready to embark on their own remarkable journey of transformation, growth, and success.
The lessons learned from this dramatic business turnaround provide unexpected insights and encouraging inspiration for other companies and leaders ready to embark on their own remarkable journey of transformation, growth, and success.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
Charts: 7 B&W, 0 Color; Tables: 12 B&W, 0 Color; Exhibits: 20 B&W, 0 Color
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
459 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-470-62692-4 (9780470626924)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Philip H. Mirvis | Karen Ayas | George Roth
To the Desert and Back
The Story of One of the Most Dramatic Business Transformations on Record
E-Book
08/2003
Jossey-Bass
€17.99
Available for download

Philip H. Mirvis | Karen Ayas | George Roth
To the Desert and Back
The Story of One of the Most Dramatic Business Transformations on Record
Book
05/2003
1st Edition
Jossey-Bass
€24.90
Article exhausted; check different version
Persons
Philip Mirvis is an organizational psychologist whose research and practice concerns large-scale organizational change and its implications for a global workforce. He is the author of numerous books, including The Cynical Americans and Joining Forces, both from Jossey-Bass. Karen Ayas is an author, educator, and research fellow at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands, and partner in the Ripples Groups, a consulting practice specializing in growth strategies and change management.
George Roth is a consultant, author, and research associate at MIT's Sloan School of Management.
George Roth is a consultant, author, and research associate at MIT's Sloan School of Management.
Author
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
MIT's Sloan School of Management
Content
Preview: The View from the Desert ix Part I: Turnaround
1. Wake-Up Call 3
2. Rebuilding the Business 15
Part II: Takeover
3. Merger or Takeover? 31
4. Going into Therapy 41
5. Revolution and Chaos 55
Part III: Transforming the Organization
6. 180 Leaders in Charge 67
7. Community or Cult? 79
8. The McVan den Bergh Clan 89
Part IV: Transforming the Business
9. Growing a Market: Foods 103
10. Growing a Brand: Fats 117
11. Cascading Change: Uniquisine, Calve, Royco, and Nassaukade 129
Part V: Transfer
12. To the Desert 145
13. The Legacy of Growth 155
Part VI: Takeaways for Leading Change
14. Change Models and Methods 169
15. Change as Theater 183
16. Holistic Integration 195
Appendix 1: Cast of Characters-Then and Now 207
Appendix 2: Learning History 211
Notes and Sources 221
Acknowledgments 243
About the Authors 247
Index 251
1. Wake-Up Call 3
2. Rebuilding the Business 15
Part II: Takeover
3. Merger or Takeover? 31
4. Going into Therapy 41
5. Revolution and Chaos 55
Part III: Transforming the Organization
6. 180 Leaders in Charge 67
7. Community or Cult? 79
8. The McVan den Bergh Clan 89
Part IV: Transforming the Business
9. Growing a Market: Foods 103
10. Growing a Brand: Fats 117
11. Cascading Change: Uniquisine, Calve, Royco, and Nassaukade 129
Part V: Transfer
12. To the Desert 145
13. The Legacy of Growth 155
Part VI: Takeaways for Leading Change
14. Change Models and Methods 169
15. Change as Theater 183
16. Holistic Integration 195
Appendix 1: Cast of Characters-Then and Now 207
Appendix 2: Learning History 211
Notes and Sources 221
Acknowledgments 243
About the Authors 247
Index 251