Press Releases

January 2004

For Immediate Release

BOOK SHOWS HOW TO IMPLEMENT STRATEGIC INTENT USING KEY LEAN PRINCIPLES

New York… Lean has become crucial for organizations that want to optimize their manufacturing efforts. Now, corporate leaders are exploring how they can apply proven lean methods to improve management efficiency within their own organizations. With this, the demand for a single, comprehensive resource on how to implement lean at the management level, has grown.

"Now, there is a simple, practical and comprehensive book that goes beyond the 'what' to show companies 'how' to apply lean to the realm of corporate leadership and management," according to Maura May, publisher, Productivity Press, the leading publisher of high-quality material on lean manufacturing and business improvement. With the breakthrough, Transforming Strategy into Success — How to Implement a Lean Management System, authors George Shinkle, Reb Gooding and Mike Smith provide a guide on how to get strategic intent implemented in organizations using a unique mixture of management techniques including Lean Management Systems, Lean Enterprise, Strategic Planning, Alignment, Team Building, Leadership and Systems Thinking.

Based on the successful techniques of an international consulting firm, several unique concepts are presented throughout Transforming Strategy into Success, including: a new model for a lean management system, management systems diagramming and a circular systems model for strategic direction setting. Complete with real-life stories to exemplify the concepts, this book is a must read for lean practitioners, lean learners and organizational leadership.

List price is $35.00. Complimentary review copies are available to media contacts by calling (212) 216-7865 or by e-mailing: leon.carter@taylorandfrancis.com.

About the Authors

George Shinkle BSME, MBA and PE, is V.P. of Direction Associates, an international business improvement consulting firm. Shinkle combines seven years of international consulting experience with over 17 years of experience at General Motors. He is recognized worldwide for his ability to provide support for strategic organizational alignment, lean management systems implementation, lean enterprise implementation, marketing strategy, program management, technology planning and implementation and quality improvement. Trained at Toyota, he has also managed a $600 million global business and has been recognized with the prestigious Kettering award.

Reb Gooding BSME, MSIA, is President and founder of Direction Associates and has worked with clients in the automotive, component manufacturing, restaurant and sport fishing industries and not-for-profit/charitable organizations. He combines his international consulting experience with over 25 years at General Motors.

Mike Smith BSME, is an international consultant to the manufacturing and service industries and has over 15 years experience in manufacturing, quality, process design and product design at General Motors and Delphi Automotive.

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.

For more information on Transforming Strategy into Success, or any of Productivity Press’ other titles, call 1 (888) 319-5852 or email info@productivitypress.com.