Press Releases

JULY 2005

For Immediate Release

NEW BOOK GUIDES READER THROUGH LEAN CULTURE CHANGE

New York… Most experts agree that the most difficult aspect of implementing a lean transformation is dealing with the "soft" issues — culture change. For the transformation to be successful, workers must live and breathe lean and actively support and buy into lean concepts and philosophy. They must always search for ways to eliminate waste, improve processes and provide greater value for customers.

With the lack of literature on lean culture change, particularly case studies, finding a practical guide on how to build and sustain a lean culture in the real world has been difficult. Now, however, Lean Culture — Collected Practices and Cases, by Productivity Press, provides a compilation of articles, including both case studies of how cultural strategies are implemented and advice from leading experts about the key success factors in culture change. These articles are collected from Productivity Press' Lean Manufacturing Advisor — a monthly newsletter chronicling how companies are implementing lean production.

Highlights include:

• Practical, in-depth descriptions of cultural issues in a lean transformation that have not been detailed in any other book.
• A conversational, easy-to-read style.
• Stories are categorized into three areas — Building Support, Staff Development and Sustaining Change — making it easier for the reader to track-down the information they really want.

Mid- and top-level executives, particularly lean champions or change agents, will benefit from reading Lean Culture, including those with "lean" or "continuous improvement" in their title.  The book is also recommended for operations executives, those responsible for quality programs and initiatives, staff involved with training, human resources personnel and senior management.

List price is $15.00. Complimentary review copies are available to media contacts by calling (212) 216-7865 or by e-mailing: leon.carter@taylorandfrancis.com.

About Productivity Press

Founded to provide world-class guidance for every level of an organization, Productivity Press is unrivaled in publishing high-quality material on lean manufacturing and business improvement.  Our books, learning tools and newsletter, Lean Manufacturing Advisor, are designed to help educate and support organizations in their efforts to implement the advanced management and manufacturing methodologies required to compete in today’s global business environment.