The Q-Loop – the art and science of lasting corporate change book review

Q-Loop, the art and science of lasting corporate change by Brian Klapper

 Let’s be honest there is an ocean of business books on change and change management, do we really need another?

In this case yes!

Even the style and layout of this book is differently from the relentless page after page of fully justified text. Even my 21 year old daughter who whilst loves reading usually flicks the business books I have and says “boring” said she liked this, including the “did you know” boxes plastered throughout the text. Unlike many other attempts, each of these add direct value to the message on the pages. A great visual, in some ways a distraction, but also great added value.

Structure of the book… The Q-Loop

In the 216 pages, there is both a comprehensive index (many don’t bother with this anymore), ample diagrams and visuals to support the text.

The book is broken down into 3 main parts.. a beginning, middle and end… other authors take note!

In the beginning (entering the Q loop) chapters look at:

• Adapt or Atrophy
• Ideas, the life blood of an organization
• Launch your employees on an Idea Quest

In the middle (Going around the Q loop)

• Focus on a mandate and form a team of heros
• The corporate lab, the art of the possible
• A scientific method for achieving your mandate

In the end (exiting the Q loop)

• Ignite a wildfire of pull
• A story of Change

To me the book starts with a great introduction, including the first of several, practical checklists or simple diagnostic tools, and ends the introduction with a section called:

“Don’t play nice with this book

I invite you to engage with this book vigorously. Use a Highlighter, Underline parts that resonate with you…..”

Well you get the picture. I LOVE THIS!

I buy so many used books and you can tell they have never been “used vigorously”, or to be honest probably not used in any sense. Books are here to be loved and used, to act as reminders. I put sticky notes all over mine!

So what is the Q-Loop?

It’s a cycle of many layers, looking at change from the idea through to implementation. Unlike many other high level strategy books on change that talk without real tools, this books has enough for any leaders to use. Simple, practical tools that work, (yes I have used many of them over the years and you will find many in the pages of my blog), but the way they are pulled together like a change menu is a huge advantage to managers and consultants that have yet to be successful at change… and yes that is the majority, for most change programmes fail. This books says why.

Change management in action

People TALK about change, but Klapper has a neat way of “walking his talk” even in the simple way he ends each chapter, with a summary (nothing new there), but then goes on to say what is coming up in the next chapter… a simple tool, but a critical one in change management… don’t read a book on change that does not do this… or they don’t understand change and the communications requirements.

The Q-Loop in conclusion

A well written book that balances between practical and well referenced materials and case studies showing concrete examples of what is in the text along with simple and practical tools.

If your change manager has not read this…. Get a new change manager!

Would I recommend this… well let’s put it this way, now I have read this, my copy is going to a change manager I know that I know would benefit from it!…. but only after I have put a sticker on it that says This book belongs to… RETURN IT when read (and yes feel free to highlight in it) !!!