In Part 1, I discussed corporate propaganda as it relates to the business of change management. In Part 2, I take a look at the big money-making change management industry.
So I was going to be fair and take a wide look at a range of companies and individuals profiting in the change management industry but hell, I didn't need to. I found exhibits A - Z all in one place! That place, my friends, is called the Who Moved My Cheese e-Store.
Oh yes, kids, it's change management propaganda paradise! A quick browse of the store and you'll find a plethora of goodies to spend your dough on. For just $11.95, you can purchase the book that started it all, Who Moved My Cheese. Or, if you already have it and have more cash burning a hole in your pocket, you can buy the "Handwriting on the Wall" poster for $19.95 or a mouse pad for $9.95. You can also buy mugs, pens and stress buster slices of foam cheese. My personal favorite is the plush (think: beanie babies) Who Moved My Cheese character dolls $12.95 each.
But it didn't take me long to see that the nickel and dime overpriced paraphernalia ain't where the big money is. No, sir. The big money comes from the sixteen-minute Who Moved My Cheese animated movie. Wanna know how much they want for the VHS version?
$1,045.00!!
And that's for one copy. One.
Of a Sixteen-minute movie.
Want more? Wanna become a "Gaining Change Skills Training Program Facilitator"? Sure you do! But the kit that'll help you do it is gonna cost you a whopping $2,495.00. But don't worry, it says it comes with a "convenient, sturdy carrying case". I'm thinking it better damn well come with a bell hop to carry it too for that price.
Anyway, I think you get the point here. Change management is an actual industry. It is a place where people are profiting by manipulating you to change using crap like beanie dolls and cheese posters.
It's up to you whether or not you buy into it.
One of the phrases on the poster says: The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese. Please. What are we in a state of perpetual change? Is there no such thing as stability? And must we be treated like children? The attitude they take is the same one that parents use on children to get them to stop crying when something bad happens. "Look! Look over there, it's an airplane! Oh wowwy, you like airplanes, don't you Johnny?" or "Don't cry, Janie, oooh looky here's a piece of candy!".
And in our case, we're still being treated like babies. This sentiment is clearly conveyed by the use of animated colorful cartoony characters, cartoon poster, beanie babies and toy foam cheese. They think we're stupid. Or at the very least, they think they're smarter than us and that we're easily manipulated with child-like characters and concepts.
So the next time your boss, your company or that annoying brainwashed corporate cheerleader that sits down the hall from you uses workshops, books, toys, videos or posters to encourage you to change (especially when you suspect there's a deeper motive like downsizing or outsourcing) just remember who's profiting from that change.
And of course, the "change managers" will say, "But you're profiting too because you get to keep your job!".
avid reader(10/11/2006)
OMG! I had no idea they had all that stuff for sale! If anyone ever tried to make me put those dolls on my desk I would strangle them on the spot. Twiz, unfortunately I am familiar with the program you are talking about. It is called Malandro and I had to go through it myself. It was shoved down our throats. I can honestly say it was the biggest waste of my time in the history of my career. It still haunts me. SCARY!
BPFH(10/12/2006)
When Part 1 of this was posted, I commented that I'd actually seen the $1045, 16-minute "Who Moved My Cheese?" video. Your remarks about it treating presumably adult employees as children are spot on. I even remarked to the course instructor that the main impression I'd gotten from the movie was its similarity to the instructional movies I remembered from elementary school. She, of course, was oblivious.
Competitive Forever(10/13/2006)
I have to say I don't agree with the cost of this so called "training" material. However I believe your idea of "stability" is very ignorant. I have worked as a consultant in the Toyota Production System and the basis for Toyota's success is constant change for the better. Your idea of stability would be called complacency in a progressive organization. Toyota receives over 700,000 suggestions for change from their employees every year. How do you think they are overtaking all of the American automakers? The American view of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" has been their ultimate downfall. The most successful companies are changing every day.
Competitive Forever(10/13/2006)
Also, I was the company man before I became a consultant. So I was the one being asked to change. I would not be teaching others of these tools had they not worked for me and my company personally. We have an acronym in the industry for people like you also, they are called CAVE people. Citizens Against Virtually Everything. I will admit there is a lot of BS training out there, but saying that change is not necessary is absolutely ludicrous.
avid reader(10/14/2006)
I don't think the point is that we should never change. It's the idea of who's profitting from encouraging constant change and stopping to think about that. Competitive Forever, let's see...you're a "consultant" who teaches others these tools and who goes by the handle of "Competitive Forever". I don't think any more needs to be said.
BPFH(10/14/2006)
Competitive Forever, you've missed the point. Yes, a company has to be able to change in response to (or anticipation of) industry and business conditions, or it'll die. No reasonable employee is going to object to those sorts of changes--as the blogger said in part 1: "Competent people do not resist competent change." However, a company *should* endeavor to remain as stable as possible, otherwise.
Dharmadee(10/15/2006)
Well, Mr. "Competitive Forever", I have no doubt you ARE a
company man. I could tell this by your arrogant and demeaning acronym for anyone who does not cowtow to your philosophies. CAVE people??? How dare you throw epithets against anyone who dares to question your craven attempts to herd people like cattle! Change for the sake of change is simply a psychological tool designed to keep employees properly subservient. We have already figured this out, Big Shot. How about this for an idea..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Or is that too sophomoric for you, O Master Consultant? Believe it or not, we of the mere working class have a few choice acronyms for manipulators like you, as well.
Oh yes, kids, it's change management propaganda paradise! A quick browse of the store and you'll find a plethora of goodies to spend your dough on. For just $11.95, you can purchase the book that started it all, Who Moved My Cheese. Or, if you already have it and have more cash burning a hole in your pocket, you can buy the "Handwriting on the Wall" poster for $19.95 or a mouse pad for $9.95. You can also buy mugs, pens and stress buster slices of foam cheese. My personal favorite is the plush (think: beanie babies) Who Moved My Cheese character dolls $12.95 each.
Want more? Wanna become a "Gaining Change Skills Training Program Facilitator"? Sure you do! But the kit that'll help you do it is gonna cost you a whopping $2,495.00. But don't worry, it says it comes with a "convenient, sturdy carrying case". I'm thinking it better damn well come with a bell hop to carry it too for that price.
And in our case, we're still being treated like babies. This sentiment is clearly conveyed by the use of animated colorful cartoony characters, cartoon poster, beanie babies and toy foam cheese. They think we're stupid. Or at the very least, they think they're smarter than us and that we're easily manipulated with child-like characters and concepts.
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