Changing the Game

**Finalist of the Management and HR Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards 2022**

The Complete and Comprehensive Guide to Business Transformation

As digital technologies and consumer expectations continue to disrupt almost every industry sector, companies are placing greater emphasis on developing and implementing transformation programs. Changing the Game offers the practical knowledge required to create a dramatic step-change in company performance. Designed for executives and managers responsible for a transformation in any type of company and situation, this comprehensive real-world playbook covers the change process from start to finish — from assessing the situation and determining strategic priorities, to developing a roadmap, establishing the governance structure, managing initiative delivery, and evaluating the impact of the transformation.

Adopting a robust and pragmatic approach to every stage of business transformation, this authoritative volume explains where to start, identifies key areas of focus, and describes the strategies, decisions, and actions necessary for achieving results. Throughout the text, case studies of leading organizations highlight essential tools and approaches, examine key challenges, and evaluate their impact. A wealth of practical tools help readers build a foundation for change in their organization, define a clear path forward, mobilize teams, assign responsibilities, execute initiatives, track progress, sustain momentum, and more.

• Provides detailed guidance on envisioning, designing, managing, and delivering a successful company, function or team transformation
• Enables readers to create a dramatic change in company performance with a results-focused approach based on leading management practices
• Contains more than 20 in-depth sections representing the entire transformation journey
• Includes numerous ready-to-use tools and templates, including 50 exhibits, that can be adopted in any organization to accelerate results
• Features tips and advice from top-level executives at leading companies and government organizations

Changing the Game: The Playbook for Leading Business Transformation is an invaluable step-by-step blueprint for executives, managers, teams, and consultants involved in devising and executing transformation programs.

Foreword ix

Acknowledgements xiii

Preface xv

Introduction xvii

Crisis as a catalyst for change xviii

An integrated approach to transformation xx

1: Take stock 1

Assess current situation 2

Ensure near-term funding 3

Secure early wins (quick wins) 5

Mobilise a top team 9

2: Create the mandate 19

Understand the current situation 21

Determine external outlook 27

Evaluate company impacts and base case 30

3: Map the journey 39

Define aspirations 42

Explore strategic options 49

Determine strategic priorities 61

Develop initiatives and roadmap 68

Outline future operating model and organisation 74

Consolidate financial impact 82

4: Mobilise 99

Create foundations for successful change 102

Establish governance structure 114

Set up transformation office 115

5: Execute and track 123

Set up initiatives and design detailed solutions 126

Build delivery schedule and assign responsibility 128

Ensure resources to lead, deliver and track 133

Conduct proof-of-concepts, prototypes and pilots 134

Manage initiative delivery 137

Close out initiatives 147

Evaluate impact of transformation against targets 150

Appendix I: Diagnosing company performance 155

Appendix II: Monitoring and improving cash flows 165

Appendix III: Defining aspirations in a workshop 171

Endnotes 175

About the authors 177

Index 179

MICHAEL VULLINGS is a corporate executive and leader in the field of business transformation, with a track record of achieving breakthrough results, leading change, and transforming organisations.

GRAHAM CHRISTIE is an expert on customer-led transformation and has advised numerous corporations on change and transformation strategies, corporate innovation and entrepreneurship.

THE COMPLETE AND COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

Transformation has become mission critical across all industries. Changing the Game presents a holistic approach for managers and executives to reshape, retool, and reimagine their organisations for today.

In this playbook, transformation experts Michael Vullings and Graham Christie reveal a comprehensive and immediately-actionable approach to leading a transformation of a company, function or team, identifying the core areas of focus and pinpointing the actions, decisions and strategies necessary for achieving stellar results. With international case studies, and featuring expertise from leading global executives, learn the five-step process to pilot your business’ transformation.

Discover how to:

• generate company-wide buy-in from key stakeholders and teams
• design, manage and deliver a successful company transformation
• apply thorough strategies for the end-to-end transformation journey
• harness and apply ready-to-use tools and templates
• create a dramatic results-focused change in company performance.

Fit for organisations of all types and sizes, Changing the Game is filled with practical and invaluable strategies to help your organisation adapt to the digital world, bring a dramatic change in company performance, and empower executives to lead with confidence.

www.ctgplaybook.com

​​“This book will arm leaders with the framework, practical tools and a roadmap, so they can drive a step-change in their organisation, from start to finish.”
— David Thodey, AO. Chairperson, CSIRO, Xero, Tyro Payments

“The message is clear, transform or watches your company and its fortunes diminish or disappear. Vullings and Christie apply their wealth of lived industry experience to bring a must-read, practical guide for leaders to create change and build the capabilities they need to transform their organisation and build sustainable competitive advantage. Changing the Game is not just theory, rather a step by step guide to transformation.”

— Mark Buckman, Former Chief Marketing Officer, Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Former Chief Marketing Officer, Telstra; Past Forbes World’s Most Influential CMOs List.

“Being able to transform an organisation is the ‘must-have’ skill for the 21st century. Michael and Graham combine the proven techniques of top executives and consultants with real world insights and experience to offer a complete insiders field guide. This book is a must for anyone involved in leading change that will enrich their understanding of what it really takes to transform a company, division, function or team.”

— Olaf Pietschner, CEO Capgemini Asia Pacific & Middle East.

“Digital technology is transforming organisations at an unprecedented pace. Changing the Game offers the blueprint for staying ahead of the curve. Enabling organisations to thrive rather than survive, this enlightening book offers a practical framework that you can use to drive and shape the future of your business. A must read for any executive navigating change in their organisation.”

— Tamara Oppen, Managing Director GoDaddy Australia.