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t r a t e g o s
L e a n
B r i e f i n g
The Newsletter of Lean Manufacturing Strategy
20
November 2008
www.strategosinc.com
Lean In Hard Times
The Gift of Desperation
Desperate times
are the best times to implement Lean manufacturing and operations.
Indeed, the originators and many practitioners went to lean out of
desperation. There are at least three reasons for this:
1) Paradigm Shift
Hard times and desperation provide a
window of opportunity in which individuals and organizations are willing
to question existing paradigms and develop new, more relevant mental
models.
2) Rapid Cash Flow
Improvement
Large, rapid inventory reductions are an
early benefit of Lean. This is particularly important today when credit
is so tight.
3) Self-Financing
When properly planned, Lean requires
little expenditure in the early stage. And these early stages generate
the most cash flow. Within a few months, lean initiatives are usually
self-financing.
Our
new web pages expand on this topic and
include three case studies from Ford Motor Company, Toyota and Harley
Davidson. In all three cases, Lean saved the
companies from imminent bankruptcy.
Strategos
can help get your Lean program started and improving cash
flow--often in a few weeks or months. Please call me to discuss the
possibilities.
Best Regards,
Quarterman Lee
qlee@lean-briefing.com
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