Introduction xvii

Chapter 1 Thriving in the Now: Prepare for Yes 1

Our Love of Speed 3

The Power of Yes 4

I Want My Yes Now! 7

Social Media, Cloud Computing, and the Millennial Mind-Set 9

Mass-Customize Me, Please! 12

Enabling Your Organization’s YESability 14

The NOW Speedometer 17

Chapter 2 Making the Shift to Now: Put an End to Then 21

Shifting from Then to Now 22

That Was Then, This Is Now 25

The Seven Deadly Sins of Management 28

From Declining to Improving Results 29

The Right Tools in the Right Place at the Right Time 32

From Disengaged to Engaged 33

Chapter 3 Seizing the NOW Opportunity: Drive Growth with Yes 41

When You Operate in the Now 43

To Try or to Do, That Is the Question 48

The 9 Rules of Then, the 11 Rules of Now 50

Simon Says and Mother, May I? 52

Shifting Gears to the Now 54

Chapter 4 Leveraging the NOW Game Changers: Gain the Speed You Need 61

Satisfying the Hunger for Instant Information 62

A Cloud That Refreshes 66

The Power of Millennial Thinking 70

If You Can’t Beat ’Em, Join ’Em 74

Chapter 5 Working in the NOW Business: Create the Context for Speed 79

Thinking in the Now 80

Management Is a System 86

Mapping the Fundamentals 92

Laying the Foundation 92

Connecting Every Employee 96

Chapter 6 Working on the NOW Business: Achieve Critical Breakthroughs 99

The Source of Breakthroughs 100

Creating the Skill to Plan at All Levels 103

Performance Breakthroughs in Action 106

Breakthroughs in Capability 109

Sequencing, Coordinating, and Seeing 113

Chapter 7 Creating NOW Transparency: Close the Execution Gap 119

Getting the Transparency Train on Track 121

Initiating Transparency with Business Reviews 127

Preparing for Target Reviews 130

Real-Time Transparency and Corrective Action 132

Chapter 8 Solving Problems Now: Equip Everyone with the Core Skill 137

Creating the Charter 139

Step 1: Agree on the Problem 141

Step 2: Map the Process 143

Step 3: Find the Root Cause 145

Step 4: Develop Solutions 153

Step 5: Implement the Fix 154

Step 6: Hold the Gain 154

Step 7: Reflect and Learn 155

Chapter 9 Enabling the NOW Workforce: Banish Fear, Build Trust 159

People Want to Do the Right Thing 160

Fear Blocks Initiative 162

Building a Foundation for Trust 165

Helping People Cross the Divide 167

Shifting from Permit to Expect 171

Chapter 10 Becoming a NOW Leader: Stop Bossing, Start Teaching 175

From No to Yes 177

From Disconnection to Full Engagement 179

From Know-It-All to Fellow Learner 180

From Frozen Layer to Fear Defroster 182

From Commander to Inspirational Guide 184

Creating New, Observable Behaviors 186

Tell Me a Story 191

Chapter 11 Embracing Change Now: Accelerate the Shift 193

Working for the Social Good 196

Sharing a Vision of the Future 198

Engaging the Most Respected Change Leaders 201

Encouraging Personal Change 204

Reinforcing the Right Actions 207

The End of the Beginning 209

Conclusion Do It Now! 211

Guidelines for an Effective Plan 213

Appendix 215

The NOW Speedometer: Doing Business at the Speed of Now 215

About the Author 217

Index 219