Who Moved My Cheese
An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
by Spencer Johnson
Hardcover, 96 Pages, $11.97
Published September, 1998
This is a book I read well over a year ago but still sticks with me. Incredibly relevant to anybody who is in a business which constantly changes. The book, and yes, this is a serious business book, is written from the perspective of four mice who are used to finding their “cheese” in the same place every day, until suddenly that supply of cheese has run dry. Each mouse has a different reaction and takes a different path through the “maze”. Some start looking for a new supply of cheese, others hang around waiting for their old supply to return.
It’s a great look at how different people deal with similar business situations, when we find that our old business models no longer work as they once did, or clients that move on and we’re left with figuring out what to do next.
Through the perspective of the mice we see that action trumps inaction and that advanced preparation ensures that, when faced with dramatic business change, you’ll be ready with a plan to continue to succeed.
This book can be read in a single sitting, not much more than an hour, is a very easy read but loaded with business insight. I recommend skipping the final “Discussion” section. This part of the book breaks from the story and begins following a rather cheesy (pun intended) discussion of the “story” from some new human characters introduced. I hate leaving portions of a book unread, but this part was really, really painful. But don’t let that stop you from reading what is an otherwise unique approach to a powerful business lesson.