A keen observer of the company, having worked there for years, but a free spirit, François Regniault continues his account of the years of Guillaume Pepy’s chairmanship of SNCF, and of the transformations of this unique company*.
Because SNCF is not a company like any other… Everyone loves it and hates it at the same time (in varying proportions, no doubt), and feels, at least unconsciously, that they “own” it a little – rightly so, since its sole shareholder is the State, and therefore each of us.
For those familiar with the company, but also for anyone interested in social, political and managerial change, this book is a way in and a key to understanding, which reads like a chronicle.
And I cannot resist the pleasure of noting the pointed nod to the creation of the “TGV Clubs”, “one of the most effective public relations instruments SNCF has devised around its future TGV services”… “to awaken regional stakeholders who were rather passive in the face of the announced event”.
“Public relations instrument”? I would rather describe the “TGV Clubs” as a “mobilisation initiative”. But why not… because in any case, we are particularly proud to have supported SNCF (and to continue to do so) in creating and running these partnership dynamics, as we do for managerial dynamics!
* His first book on the subject, published in 2009, was entitled « SNCF, la mutation impossible » (SNCF, the impossible transformation).
« SNCF, la fin d’un monopole » (SNCF, the end of a monopoly), Jean-Claude Gawsewitch Éditeur (in French)
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