Prof. Dr. Peter Steinhoff (PST), Managing Partner of Transformation Consulting International (TCI), and Prof. Dr. Mario Pfannstiel (MPF), Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, will publish the book "The Enterprise Transformation Cycle" is published. In it, scientists, experts and practitioners publish articles on successfully implemented transformation projects. In an interview with the TCI editorial team, both explain how the "Enterprise Transformation Cycle" method forms the central theme of the anthology and why they don't necessarily have to storm the bestseller lists with the book.

The "Enterprise Transformation Cycle" is of interest to all managers and decision-makers

Mr. Steinhoff, you will be publishing a book on the "Enterprise Transformation Cycle" next year - together with you, Mr. Pfannstiel - in which numerous renowned experts will publish articles on the method. What is the aim of your book project?

PST: With this book, we want TCI to be better perceived by our (potential) customers as a transformation management consulting firm. It is therefore aimed at managers and decision-makers who need to analyze, implement and develop strategies, but who encounter problems and obstacles in projects for a variety of reasons. We - as transformation experts - can provide the necessary support: Through consultants who provide the necessary inspiration and thus accompany, guide and support transformation processes. With the articles in the book, we show that we have a great deal of specialist knowledge and practical experience in this field and at the same time provide illustrative examples from everyday business life that reflect our expertise.

MPF: TCI itself also benefits from this book project, as it helps to harmonize external perceptions, empirical values and internal views in small, medium and large-scale projects through intensive reflection and implementation of the method in consulting. In addition, the basic work on the "Enterprise Transformation Cycle" creates a concrete application manual that TCI partners can use as a practical guide. The book may also serve as a pilot for a series of related books.

PST: This book is also a very personal endeavor of mine. The book is dedicated to TCI founding partner Wolfgang Hellriegel, who sadly passed away in February 2017. He was instrumental in developing and shaping TCI and the "Enterprise Transformation Cycle" over the last 15 years.

Mr. Pfannstiel, who do you want to win over with your basic book on the "Enterprise Transformation Cycle"?

MPF: Our book is aimed at managers and decision-makers who want and need to shape, optimize and implement change. Experience plays a key role here, because change processes in companies are always a major challenge for everyone involved - regardless of whether they are young or old, experienced or inexperienced. In order for changes to be implemented, it is necessary to involve the workforce and inform them about the changes.

PST: We would particularly like to address HR and personnel managers, as they are the ones who are (co-)responsible for personnel management in companies. They are the ones who have to take people with them in a sometimes difficult transformation process and therefore bear a great deal of responsibility. And, of course, the "Enterprise Transformation Cycle" is intended to become an application manual for consultants who analyze, evaluate and redesign transformation processes in companies.

MPF: Our book is intended to be a basic work in which managers and decision-makers can inform themselves about the strategic planning, preparation and implementation of a transformation project. From the basics of transformation management to case studies from consulting practice, it contains many building blocks that are linked to the common thread of the method, namely the Enterprise Transformation Cycle.

Can you tell us something about the structure of the content and the authors?

PST: The book will be an anthology published by the renowned Springer Verlag. Mario Pfannstiel and I are the editors; authors and teams of authors, mainly from the field, but also some scientists will contribute articles of around ten to twenty pages.

MPF: The first part will deal with the basics of transformation management and the presentation of the state of the art. In other words, a form of stocktaking: What publications, ideas and schools of thought are there on the topics of strategy, transformation, change, leadership, transformation programs, cultural change, etc.? Here, links to relevant topics are presented from a holistic perspective.

PST: In the second part, we present the method and its scientific basis. The focus here is on the topics of program management and leadership and the role they play in the design and implementation of transformation processes in companies.

MPF: Part three then ventures into practice. There, the authors present case studies. Generally valid conclusions and recommendations for action can be derived from these. Successful and valuable alternative approaches are also highlighted.

When is the book a success for you?

PST: We want to use the book to strengthen the perception of TCI as a leading management consultancy in the field of transformation management. Our consultants can identify with the book and use it specifically for our and their marketing. If our target group uses the book as a reference work and always has it to hand, then that is a great success for us. If we succeed in publishing a high-quality basic work on the "Enterprise Transformation Cycle" - and I assume that we will, given the authors and their working titles - then we can win new customers with the book, arouse the interest of journalists, editors and other multipliers and inspire and retain excellent consultants for their work at TCI. What we are definitely not aiming for is to demonstrate traditional approaches in the consulting market. We want to use the "Enterprise Transformation Cycle" to strengthen, improve and expand the TCI brand for potential customers and consultants.

MPF: Accordingly, our aim is by no means to turn the book into a proverbial blockbuster or bestseller. Our aim is simply to appeal to those for whom the topic of business transformation is interesting and of great importance. Because, as the subtitle says, this is a well-founded basic work for practitioners for concrete practical use.

Mr. Pfannstiel, Mr. Steinhoff, thank you very much for the interesting interview. I wish you every success and good nerves for your project and a brilliant book launch in the coming year.

The interview with Prof. Dr. Peter Steinhoff and Prof. Dr. Mario Pfannstiel, the two editors of the book "The Enterprise Transformation Cycle", led the TCI editorial team.

(Cover image: © peshkov | fotolia.com)