Better Thinking, Better Results [Hardcover]

Bob Emiliani (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

This is the first book to document an actual company's Lean transformation over a ten-year period. It presents, in detail, what The Wiremold Company did to achieve its transformation and their amazing results, both financial and non-financial. The book vividly shows how Wiremold applied Lean principles and practices to the entire enterprise and throughout the value stream. The Wiremold Company achieved outstanding success in a short period of time by using Lean as a comprehensive management system, rather than as a group of tools. The leadership lessons are invaluable for anyone involved with making the Lean management system come alive in their company.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"BTBR is a major contribution to Lean practice and covers many aspects of the Lean transformation that have been missing." -- George Koenigsaecker, former President of Jacobs Vehicle Equipment Company

"BTBR is a must read for senior managers that are serious about the Lean transformation in their company." -- Mark DeLuzio, former Corporate Vice President, Danaher Corporation

"Everything you need to know about a Lean transformation is explained between these covers..." -- James Womack, co-author of Lean Thinking

"The book reflects a great depth of understanding of Lean thinking... anybody interested in Lean thinking needs to read [it]." -- Jeffrey Liker, author, The Toyota Way

"[this book] clearly shows how Lean principles and practices are applied across an enterprise in a truly integrated fashion..." -- Jerry Jasinowski, former President of the National Association of Manufacturers

From the Publisher

Destined to become a Lean classic, Better Thinking, Better Results is a complete description of how to achieve an enterprise-wide Lean transformation. It is filled with valuable new contributions to the body of Lean knowledge. Endnotes are rich with additional details. Better Thinking, Better Results is a 2003 Shingo Prize recipient.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: The CLBM, LLC; First Edition first Printing edition (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972259104
• ISBN-13: 978-0972259101
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Please visit my web site, http://www.bobemiliani.com

I am a Lean leadership author, educator, researcher, and historian of progressive management. I have over 20 years of experience in aerospace, consumer products, and service industries, and have had front-line responsibility for implementing Lean principles and practices in the manufacturing shop floor, supply networks, and in higher education (academics).

My focus since the mid-1990s has been exclusively on Lean leadership. I was the first person to do this because I wanted to understand why top leaders and their organizations have such limited success with Lean management. My research has yielded many unique contributions to Lean leadership. They show what senior managers can do to become Lean leaders and provide practical and specific actions to take.

My books are unlike any others in their scope of fresh ideas and new Lean concepts and practices. They answer some of the most important questions people have, including: "How do we conduct a Lean transformation?" "How do I become a Lean leader?" "Why is the 'Respect for People' principle important?" "How do we sustain our Lean efforts?"

I am proud that readers rate my books highly and consistently characterize them as highly original, thought-provoking, and practical. And I am truly honored when people buy my books and commit their precious time to reading them. I am certain that readers will learn many new things each time they read one of books.

Check out my Lean Leadership News postings at http://www.bobemiliani.com/lln.html

Thank you,

Bob Emiliani

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must read for the lean manager!!, December 22, 2004

By 

Lean Manufacturing Engineer "Ron" (Overland Park, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Better Thinking, Better Results (Hardcover)

Emiliani et al have written a very readable, easy to understand and thorough case study of the West Hartford, CT based (at that time) privately held, Wiremold Companies lean transformation.
In 1991, the formerly successfull but now declining wire management products producer began a lean transformation which changed Wiremold into an acquisition machine that by 1999 was generating ten times the operating profit and eleven times the net profit of pre lean operations. During this period, Wiremold boasted a 23.2% compound annual growth rate.
The real benefit of reading this book are the comments by the management team explaining in their own words the reasoning behind each step in the lean transformation process.
The book includes:
1. An analysis of strategic models leading to the selection of the lean management model.
2. A financial strengths and weaknesses analysis leading to the lean transformation plan.
3. The actual lean transformation plan.
4. A discussion of the whys and wherefors of the adopted lean organization strucure.
5. How to move from an MRP push production control system to a lean flow/pull system sensibly.
6. How to practically dispose of excess inventory during the lean transformation.
7. The best way to align the workforce with the requirements of the lean organization.
8. A detailed description of a growth through acquisition strategy financed internally with the lean management process.
9. A comparison of standard cost accounting with actual cost accounting.
All in all - an absolute must read for the lean manager. Not a book for the lean practitioner.
Relevance to the lean practitioner 4/10
Relevance to the lean manager 9/10
Clarity and organization 9/10
Original content 9/10

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Managing the Lean Journey, November 24, 2003

By 

Brian Maskell (Cherry Hill, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Better Thinking, Better Results (Hardcover)

This is the only book I know that shows how to manage the transformation of a company from traditional manufacturing to a thoroughly lean organization. The book contains a detailed case study of the lean journey of the Wiremold Corporation (and it's managers) from the early 1990's to the present day. Addressing such issues as the kaizen culture, lean as a people process, customer-focused product development, providing value for your customers, and lean accounting; this book goes way beyond the tools & methods of lean manufacturing to the practical implementation of lean management. I would recommend this as a "must read" for any management team serious about lean transformation.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best since Lean Thinking, November 22, 2004

By 

Kevin Meyer "Author, Evolving Excellence" (Morro Bay, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Better Thinking, Better Results (Hardcover)

This is the best overall book on lean management since Lean Thinking. An excellent methodical description and analysis of the Wiremold lean journey, demonstrating the tools and leadership required to execute a lean transformation. Like Lean Thinking, you have more "a-ha!" moments each additional time you read it. Very highly recommended.