Product Description

"If you′re the CEO of a struggling business, let′s hope we never meet. I′m Gary Sutton, a turnaround guy. When I arrive you leave. Results usually get better and fast."–from the Introduction to The Six–Month Fix
Lessons on how to save a sick company from a top turnaround CEO
One of the business world′s most sought–after "trauma specialists," Gary Sutton has salvaged nearly a dozen failing businesses, including everything from printing, garbage hauling, and burglar alarm companies to aerospace, satellite communications, and software firms. In The Six–Month Fix, Sutton takes readers behind the PR curtain to give them an intimate look at the situations he faced coming into several sick companies and how he fixed what ailed them. Writing in his trademark frank, funny, no–holds–barred style, he shares his war stories and the lessons he learned about what it takes to save a faltering business. Not for the faint of heart, The Six–Month Fix offers honest, straight–from–the–hip advice for managers in training for the business fight of their lives.
Gary Sutton (La Jolla, CA) sits on several private boards, is a Director of WebSense (WSBN–Nasdaq), and is the author of several books.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #193353 in Books
• Published on: 2001-12-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
"...it is full of firecrackers that make some valuable points.." (Financial Times, 13 February 2002)

"...but this book is not typical and is well worth reading." (Eurobusiness, April 2002)

"...better than almost any fiction novel I have read...could keep even non–management glued to it for hours..." (M2 Best Books, 30 July 2002)

Review
"...it is full of firecrackers that make some valuable points..." (Financial Times, 13 February 2002)

"...but this book is not typical and is well worth reading." (Eurobusiness, April 2002)

"...better than almost any fiction novel I have read...could keep even non–management glued to it for hours..." (M2 Best Books, 30 July 2002)

Eurobusiness, Issue 4 2002
"...but this book is not typical and worth reading."

Customer Reviews

A practical guide
I liked this book, which I read at a time of great dissolusionment with the company I worked for. Much of the material is 'gun-slinger' speak, and lacks the subtlety one might expect from conventional management consultancy. The central message from Sutton is esentially that if the organisation is on the rocks, it probably has a lot to do with the CEO, who invariably has to go, to be replaced with a 'rip out the dead-wood' temporary leader who should re-orientate the organisation by focussing on core competencies, cash flow, and ROCE etc. He doesn't go for the long words...but gets to the point in an almost brutal manner at times. He has the self knowledge to get out after about 6 months, (probably very wise if his turnaround projects are to avoid failing through lack of HR subtlety). If I were looking for ideas for dealing with a company in dire disintegration, i'd re-read this book. Lots of good stuff!

Good book on corporate turnarounds
This is quite a good work on turnarounds. The author has a direct and humorous style, and the book is very easy to read and full of author's personal stories.

The book presents techniques that focus on cost cutting (personnel, consultants, lawyers, own secretary...), touching also on issues such as strategy, office politics, internal organisation, product development, HR management. The article on how to deal with boards of directors is particularly instructive. The book also includes a chapter with the track record of the author (for more details, have a look at his website - www.sixmonthfix.com).

However, for a more structured approach on turnarounds, read Slatter's "Corporate Turnaround" and "Leading Corporate Turnaround". On the same topic, "Corporate Turnaround" by Bibeault is worth a look.