• Contact
  • My Account
  • Log In
  • 0Shopping Cart
thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World
  • About
  • Services
  • eLearning
  • Team
  • Blog
  • Clients
  • Books
  • Contact
  • Menu Menu

Build your skills! Take our eLearning courses on TITAN!

World-class eLearning courses with videos, exercises, downloads, and a certificate of completion. Get started today!

Structured Thought: Problem Solving
Structured Thought and Communication
Strategic Business Planning
Principles of Chart Design eLearning Course
Engagement Management
Deliberate Decision Making
Breakthrough Innovation
Everything is Negotiable
Leading through Change
Storytelling for Leaders
Storytelling for Salespeople
Building Leadership Resilience
Compelling Executive Presence
Coaching for Impact
Building Personal Resilience
Building Personal Resilience
Wide Banner SPS
Wide Banner STC
Wide Banner SBP
Wide Banner PCD
Wide Banner ENM
Wide Banner DDM
Wide Banner BTI
Wide Banner EIN
Wide Banner LTC
Wide Banner SFL
Wide Banner SFS
Wide Banner BLR
Wide Banner CEP
Wide Banner CFI
Wide Banner BPR
Wide Banner TMM
previous arrow
next arrow

The Proper Definition of Transformation

June 6, 2012/1 Comment/in Guest Blogger, Leadership, Strategy /by Mike Figliuolo

Thomas Butta, CEO of 21 WeeksToday’s post is by Thomas Butta, Founder and CEO of 21 Weeks. You can read more about him at the end of the post. Here’s Thomas:

I recently read an article in The Economist about Jim Collins, the author of Built to Last, Good to Great, and, most recently, Great by Choice. The piece reviewed the merits of Collins’s overarching point of view – that greatness is largely a matter of choice and discipline – relative to other approaches including a transformative one. What surprised me wasn’t the comparison of disciplined and steady versus an aggressive agenda, but rather that transformation was painted with a ‘trash and burn’ brush. It got me thinking: What do we know about transformation.

What is your experience with transformation? What do you think of transformation? What exactly is transformation? My research tells me that transformation means different things to different people in different roles.

For some of you, perhaps in functional positions, transformation is consultant speak for change that is often uncomfortable. You know this kind of change. It’s strategically unclear, politically charged, and haphazard in execution. Good luck with that.

For others in non-management roles, transformation is one of the words ‘management’ hides behind when driving down costs and/or driving up profits. You’ve seen this, too. “As part of our efforts to transform (insert company name) into a more competitive entity, it is necessary to immediately cut non-essential operating costs and reduce redundancy in our work force.” Right.

For others in executive management, transformation is seen as the way to break through the status quo with a powerful strategic agenda focused on achieving an organization’s fullest potential. This is the camp I fall into. This is where sustainable value and momentum get created.

Transformation is a radical departure from the ‘same old, same old’ ways of the past with a smart, powerful, and aggressive way forward. This kind of transformation positions an organization as vital to the interests of its top customers. It powers through what held it back by mobilizing and activating a belief system that creates a wave of palpable momentum that displaces the drag of inertia.

This is the kind of transformation I believe in and practice. It works best when it’s a CEO-led agenda that requires the alignment of the entire organization, especially the cornerstone units of product, sales, and marketing.

Where has transformation made all the difference? Where has transformation worked? I can talk about three for whom I had direct influence – Red Hat, PTC, and Platform Computing. What’s interesting is each transformation started from a very different place. I was CMO at both Red Hat and PTC; and I worked with Platform through 21 Weeks.

▪ Red Hat. Red Hat was a media darling with a huge perceived potential, but in reality it was a small, low margin business. Despite a record-breaking IPO and follow-on offering, Red Hat lost a lot of money on only $8 million in revenue in 1999. That’s when Red Hat’s executive team began an aggressive transformation agenda that forever shifted the company from an interesting, developer-centric Linux operating system company to the enterprise leader of the more significant open source software movement. Red Hat passed the $1 billion revenue mark this past year.

▪ PTC was a very large and successful company that achieved $1 billion in revenue in only 12 years, but by 2001 it significantly lost its way and starting sinking fast on all levels. PTC’s Board of Directors instituted an aggressive transformation agenda in late 2001 that helped reshape this formerly great end-user applications software company to become the clear leader of the higher value, enterprise space of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). It began its transformation during the very difficult economic times following 9/11. Today it’s the clear leader of PLM, and the second largest independent software company in the world.

▪ Platform Computing was a profitable $75 million leader of high performance computing, but its Founder/CEO had the confidence that it could play with the big boys in the much bigger and much noisier market of cloud computing. In 2009, Platform put in place a CEO-led transformation agenda intended to shift from being the comfortable leader of a niche market space to becoming the leading provider of private cloud management software. In less than two years, Platform grew at double-digit rates, won kudos for its new cloud products, and attracted the interests of major industry players like IBM, which acquired Platform in late 2011.

There are many examples of successful transformations. Apple is clearly one. Ford is another. I have insights into some cool transformative work being done by challengers in hot categories like IT Automation, Big Data, and Video, but that’s another post.

What is your experience with transformation? What stories can you share?

– Thomas Butta is Founder and CEO of 21 Weeks, where he drives sustainable transformation for organizations in rapidly changing markets. He is an experienced and sought after thought leader; having worked with top tier companies such as Red Hat, Parametric Technology Corp, NICE Systems, and FGI. He is the author of the popular blog, Speed Matters, and writes for the Huffington Post, Best Thinking, Business2Community and Examiner.com. He speaks on matters of capitalizing on critical moments and accelerating value.

https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png 0 0 Mike Figliuolo https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo.png Mike Figliuolo2012-06-06 13:02:422012-06-11 07:50:10The Proper Definition of Transformation
1 reply
  1. Eldon Kibbey
    Eldon Kibbey says:
    June 8, 2012 at 4:59 pm

    This is an article that we use to explain Transformation to our men:

    The Meaning of Transformation

    Transforming business men into spiritual leaders through caring relationships

    Transforming is a process that produces lasting change, from the inside out.
    Business men could mean “anyone working in the marketplace.”
    Spiritual leaders are the Faithful, Available, Teachable (FAT) people who step up to leadership.
    Caring relationships characterize everything we do. Life is all about relationships. We are called to love God and love people.

    The typical process for transformation is a life-on-life relationship between two men in Operation Timothy. We find that a “Paul” invests about 1% of his life in the life of his “Timothy” – that’s about an hour-and-a-half per week – for a year or more.

    The first request made of the Timothy is, “Briefly describe the purpose of your life.” Some Timothys do a good job with it, some make a stab at it, and others have no clue. It sets the tone for the process that needs to be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, Who utilizes the care of the Paul for his Timothy, and the truth of the Word of God.

    The last section of Book 3 of Operation Timothy is entitled, “A Life Purpose.” The Timothy is asked, “How could your purpose incorporate spiritual reproduction.”

    Operation Timothy is “bookended” with “Purpose.” In between these questions about purpose, the Paul leads his Timothy through the process of becoming grounded in Biblical truth, and the application of it in his life. The two build a bond of brotherhood, which transcends friendship.

    The Timothy learns the purpose for which God chose him, “before the foundation of the earth.”

    The importance of the Life Purpose Statement should not be minimized. Ask your Christian friends, “Do you have a Life Purpose Statement?” and you will find how befuddled they become. This is one of the problems of the church today – its constituents’ lives are unfocused.

    Don’t Do
    Don’t Do

    A Purpose Statement is a “Do Box” – everything else is a “Don’t Do.”

    “Transformation” is the re-focus of a self-centered purpose to a God-centered one.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get free blog posts by email NOW!

It’s the best 5 minutes a week you can spend on your development.

Subscribe HERE!


All Contacts

Get new posts FREE via RSS!
Follow thoughtLEADERS on LinkedInFollow thoughtLEADERS on twitter
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
 

Check Out Our Courses

Our courses teach immediately applicable skills that have real impact on your business. From leadership to strategy and negotiation to conflict resolution, we have a broad set of course offerings that will drive immediate performance improvements.
OUR COURSES

Our Courses

Group of Business People Meeting
Puzzle Pieces
Glasses Looking Over Cityscape
Doors on a Wall
Cog Wheels
Man Reading Book
Fishing hook in the sea
Microphone in Lecture Hall
Charts on Blue Background
Wristwatch
Exploding Light Bulb
Man on Summit of Mountain
Lightning Bolts
Man Painting the Word Change on a Wall
Construction Cranes
Plant Growing in a Hand
High Performance Gears
Men Shaking Hands Closeup
Influence Definition
Sailboat at Sunset
Hanging light bulbs with glowing one isolated on dark blue background
Wagon Wheel
Executive Communications
Structured Problem Solving
Creating Leadership Maxims
Leading inside the Box
Deliberate Decision Making
Simple Strategic Planning
Storytelling for Leaders
Storytelling for Sales
Executive Presence
Principles of Chart Design
Time Management Mastery
Breakthrough Innovation
Leadership Resilience
Conflict Resolution
Leading through Change
Project Management Reality
Coaching for Impact
High Performing Teams
Everything is Negotiable
Leading with Influence
Building Personal Resilience
thoughtLEADERSHIP
Engagement Management
previous arrow
next arrow
 

eLearning Courses on TITAN

Structured Thought: Problem Solving
Puzzle Pieces
Structured Thought: Problem Solving

Clearly define a problem, scope all issues related to the problem, generate potential solutions, then analyze and select the best solution by using time-tested critical thinking methods and tools.

VIEW COURSE
Structured Thought and Communication
Group of Business People Meeting
Structured Thought and Communication

Craft clear and compelling recommendations that resonate with stakeholders. Get your ideas approved by using a proven method for delivering executive-level communications.

VIEW COURSE
Principles of Chart Design
Different Types of Line and Bar Charts
Principles of Chart Design

Create well-designed presentation charts that get your message across quickly and clearly to drive your audience to action. From data charts to concept charts, these methods help make your point.

VIEW COURSE
Engagement Management
Wagon Wheel
Engagement Management

Whether you’re an internal or external consultant or a project leader, learn proven methods, techniques, and processes to effectively lead consulting engagements that drive your client’s success.

VIEW COURSE
Strategic Business Planning
Cog Wheels
Strategic Business Planning

Use a straightforward and effective strategic planning process that shows how to craft a clear, compelling plan for your organization - not just one time, but on an ongoing basis year after year.

VIEW COURSE
Deliberate Decision Making
Deliberate Decision Making
Deliberate Decision Making

Make better, faster, and more effective decisions. Apply simple yet powerful decision making tools to define decision authority, manage risk, increase accountability, and drive execution.

VIEW COURSE
Everything is Negotiable
Men Shaking Hands
Everything is Negotiable

Become a better negotiator in all situations – from day to day interactions to hammering out large deals. Build the skills required to get what you want and strengthen relationships while you do.

VIEW COURSE
Breakthrough Innovation
Exploding Lightbulb
Breakthrough Innovation

Generate and select unique strategies that separate you from the competition. Construct bold and disruptive solutions then build and execute a plan for taking those strategies to market.

VIEW COURSE
Storytelling for Leaders
Man reading stories from a book
Storytelling for Leaders

Create business stories that inspire people, build connections with your audience, and ultimately advance your organization's goals by using a repeatable, straightforward method.

VIEW COURSE
Storytelling for Salespeople
Storytelling for Salespeople
Storytelling for Salespeople

Create and deliver stories that will take your sales efforts to the next level. Connect with and convince buyers in all situations using memorable stories. These stronger relationships drive more sales.

VIEW COURSE
Leading through Change
Leading through Change
Leading through Change

Lead your organization through the most challenging times using a proven change management process. Get people through the change and back to driving performance quickly and effectively.

VIEW COURSE
Building Leadership Resilience
Mountain Climbing Expedition
Building Leadership Resilience

Prepare your body and brain to be ready for and recover from your biggest challenges. Build approaches for overcoming stress, managing reactions to difficult events, and leading more effectively.

VIEW COURSE
Compelling Executive Presence
Compelling Executive Presence
Compelling Executive Presence

Build your ability to connect with your audience and convey your ideas in a clear and resonant way. Create meaningful connections between you and your audience to build buy-in.

VIEW COURSE
Coaching for Impact
Plant Growing in a Hand
Coaching for Impact: Foundation Course

Coach employees for performance and development more effectively by helping them identify and pursue their own solutions. Create the right environment and conditions to help them grow.

VIEW COURSE
Building Personal Resilience
Boat at Sunset
Building Personal Resilience

Build the habits and learn the behaviors required to manage stress, deal with adversity, and maintain your physical and mental wellbeing. Personal resilience is a key to your ongoing success.

VIEW COURSE
Time Management Mastery
Watches
Time Management Mastery

Learn techniques to manage your time, delegate, say “no,” and be more efficient. Balance your limited supply of time with the overwhelming demands that are placed on you every day.

VIEW COURSE
previous arrow
next arrow

Books You MUST Read

The Elegant Pitch
One Piece of Paper by Mike Figliuolo
Lead Inside the Box
10 Stories Great Leaders Tell
Getting Ahead
Sell with a Story
Lead with a Story
Mastering Communication at Work
The Hook
Innovative Leadership Fieldbook
Innovative Leaders Guide to Transforming Organizations
The Three Commitments of Leadership
The Littlest Green Beret
Storytelling in the Land of Oz
The Camino Way
The Leader with a Thousand Faces
The Inner Matrix book
The Vision Code
The Most Unlikely Leader
The Leader with a Thousand Faces
The Elegant Pitch
One Piece of Paper by Mike Figliuolo
Lead Inside the Box
10 Stories Great Leaders Tell
Getting Ahead
Sell with a Story - Border
Lead with a Story
Leading from Your Best Self
Mastering Communication at Work
The Hook
Innovative Leadership Fieldbook
Innovative Leaders Guide to Transforming Organizations
20120318 Three Commitments
Leadership Vertigo
The Littlest Green Beret
Storytelling in the Land of Oz
The Camino Way
Hijacked by Your Brain
Outthink the Competition
Driving Innovation from Within
The Voice of the Underdog
The Inner Matrix
The Vision Code
The Most Unlikely Leader
The Leader with a Thousand Faces
previous arrow
next arrow
  • The Elegant Pitch
  • The Vision Code
  • The Inner Matrix
  • The Most Unlikely Leader
  • The Leader with a Thousand Faces
  • The Voice of the Underdog

Categories

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Our Course Offerings

Leadership Skills

Creating Your Leadership Maxims
Leading Inside the Box
Leading With Influence
Leading Through Change
Structured Problem Solving
Deliberate Decision Making
High Performing Teams
Simplified Strategic Planning
Strategic Business Planning
Coaching for Impact: Foundations
Coaching for Impact: Applications
Building Leadership Resilience
Engagement Management
Project Management Reality

Communication Skills

Communications: Foundations
Communications: Applications
Principles of Chart Design
Strategic Client Engagement
Storytelling for Leaders
Storytelling for Salespeople
Compelling Executive Presence
Advanced Facilitation Skills

Individual Skills

Conflict Resolution
Everything is Negotiable
thoughtLEADERSHIP: Innovation
Building Personal Resilience
Time Management Mastery

Coaching & Consulting

©2023 thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World. thoughtLEADERS, LLC is a registered trademark of thoughtLEADERS, LLC.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
How Leaders Can See the Future How to Build a Great Team Like the Avengers
Scroll to top