Attacking urgent and challenging business goals

Schaffer Consulting was part of the original consulting team that developed WorkOut with General Electric, and the ideas that informed our Rapid Results approach are embedded within it. Ron Ashkenas co-authored The GE WorkOut: How To Implement GE's Revolutionary Method for Busting Bureaucracy and Attacking Organizational Problems-Fast! (McGraw-Hill, 2002) - the only approved and definitive book about the WorkOut process.

WorkOut is a process that brings together a large group of people to pursue an urgent and challenging business goal. The aim of WorkOut is to involve all levels of employees in a rapid effort to improve business results significantly in key areas of strategic or tactical focus. It is also a powerful way to transform the culture and leadership of organizations.

WorkOut uniquely encourages innovation and communication of new and different ideas in and out of organizations, up and down hierarchies, and across functional and geographic boundaries. Then, by focusing on achieving results, assigning accountability, and requiring tough decision-making, WorkOut helps organizations to become leaner more efficient and more adaptable. Repeated use of WorkOut helps bring about positive changes in organization culture.