This is one of those business books that many have heard about even if they haven't read it. It is all about corporate change, the fear of change and overcoming that fear, as told through the metaphor of mice and cheese.

I first read this book in 2001 when my then employer, a big multinational publishing house, was about to embark on some major changes. All of the middle ranking managers were "issued" with a copy and told to read it.

The main message of the book is "embrace change". I won't give away the plot but suffice to say the mouse that was bold and goes looking for his lost cheese wins out and the timid mouse doesn't.

The book is thin (96 pages) and easy to digest with short chapters and few concepts that are difficult to grasp. To many these elements make the book a must read for anyone in business facing or managing major change.

I think that the childishly simplistic metaphors are an insult to anyone who is serious about business. The "change is good" message is not counterbalanced with any notion of risk assessment, opportunity cost analysis, or disruption to performance.

Conclusion:

If you need to sell the "change is good" message to employees who have little or no imagination this may well be the book for you. I think it is pretty pointless, a good manager should be able to convey that message without needing a book like this.

Despite all I have said the book is hugely popular and has a permanent place in the top sellers list. Maybe I'm biased, that multinational company made me redundant shortly after giving me the book.

Mark out of 10:
3

James Cleverly is the Online Commercial Manager for Caspian Publishing Ltd.

Tags: change management, change, who moved my cheese, book review,

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