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The author was appointed Chief Executive of a traditional insurance company with the task of waking the organisation from its lethargy and helping it to grow. It proved difficult to overcome corporate inertia. Management style and behaviour needed radical alteration and a programme called Corporate Development and Training was adopted. Its gradual acceptance and success in tapping the company's energies and talents are described.

What triggers organisational change? A recent UK survey of 200 companies suggests that the trigger is more likely to be a crisis than a positive response to a perceived opportunity, or in order to pre‐empt threats. The observed change initiatives did, however, follow current wisdom associated with total quality management perspectives, and customer awareness. A minority of the changes focused on “siege mentality” strategies, slimming the company to its barest core. The authors conclude by asking whether UK companies have the courage, while dealing with present crises, not to destroy the “excellence” path to a profitable long‐term future.