Better Thinking, Better Results

Better Thinking, Better Results: Case Study and Analysis of an Enterprise-Wide Lean Transformation answers the question: "How do you conduct a Lean transformation?" It is a detailed case study and analysis of The Wiremold Company’s enterprise-wide Lean transformation from 1991-2001, notable for the integration of both the "Continuous Improvement" and "Respect for People" principles. It is an authoritative and practical Lean implementation manual that will help guide senior managers on their journey.

You will learn how the management team at Wiremold applied Lean principles and practices to human resources, finance, sales, marketing, engineering, operations, acquisitions process, and throughout the value stream with suppliers, intermediate customers, and end-use customers. You will be amazed at the financial and non-financial results they achieved.

The second edition brings the story up-to-date with a new chapter that describes what happened to Wiremold’s Lean management efforts since 2001. You will learn vital lessons about the challenge of maintaining continuity in Lean management practice over the long term. There is no other book like this one.

Here's what readers have to say:

"Best book on Lean ever written."

"This is a powerful book for executives and managers. It is the only 'how to' book on how to achieve an enterprise-wide Lean transformation."

"Emiliani does an excellent job of telling Wiremold's story and analyzing it with a sophisticated eye."

"I absolutely loved Better Thinking. You guys did an incredible job using the Wiremold story to teach so much about Lean. I have given gift copies to other CEOs and Presidents, and purchased copies for the people I report to and for our finance people.

This Lean classic is a must-have resource for managers. The leadership lessons are invaluable for anyone involved with making the Lean management system come alive in their company.

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Better Thinking, Better Results: Case Study and Analysis of an Enterprise-Wide Lean Transformation (Second Edition)

by Bob Emiliani
with David Stec, Lawrence Grasso, and James Stodder
The CLBM, LLC Wethersfield, Conn., USA

Second Edition / 336 pages / ISBN 978-0-9722591-2-5 / Dimensions 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches / March 2007 / Soft Cover / Retail Price $35.00. Contains 20 Tables, 39 Figures, 10 Exhibits, and "Key Points for Senior Managers" and detailed Endnotes in each chapter.

Table of Contents
Foreword by Bill Moffitt
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction
1 - The Need for Change
2 - Wiremold's New Strategy
3 - The First Priority: Kaizen
4 - Transforming the Factory
5 - Lean is a People System
6 - Growth Through New Products
7 - Growth Through Acquisitions
8 - Delivering the Benefits of Lean to Customers
9 - Performance Measurement
10 - Wiremold's Results
11 - Real Lean vs. Imitation Lean
Postscript - Solving the Liquidity Problem
Afterword
Update to the Second Edition
Wiremold Management Team
Recommended Reading
Index
About the Authors

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Enthusiastic Reviews for Better Thinking, Better Results

"In Lean Thinking, Dan Jones and I told the Lean success story of Art Byrne and his team at The Wiremold Company during 1991-1996 from a fifty thousand foot altitude. In this fascinating volume, Bob Emiliani takes you down to tree top height and brings the story up to the present so you can see all of the specific methods - technical, managerial, and leadership - Art used to mold a moribund smokestack company into a Lean champion. Everything you need to know about a Lean transformation is explained between these covers, with helpful summaries of all the key lessons for you to apply immediately to your own business." - James P. Womack, Founder of the Lean Enterprise Institute, Inc., and co-author of Lean Thinking

"Bob Emiliani and his associates have done us all a service by documenting this important case example. The book reflects a great depth of understanding of Lean thinking and of the detailed transformation of The Wiremold Company. They aptly demonstrate that Lean is more than manufacturing tools but a total business solution and a way of meaningfully engaging people. This is one of the important books that anybody interested in Lean thinking needs to read. You can learn a lot from Wiremold and their journey. And they did everything almost as good as you can do it..." - Jeffrey Liker, author of The Toyota Way.

"Better Thinking, Better Results is a must read for senior managers that are serious about the Lean transformation in their company. This thought provoking book captures the essence of a 'Real Lean' transformation and how senior management commitment and involvement are essential in transforming a batch-and-queue business to a Lean enterprise." - Mark DeLuzio, former Corporate Vice President, Danaher Corporation

"Wiremold is one of the great pioneering examples that showed us all that Lean Thinking could be done outside Toyota. It also shows what single-minded leadership can achieve in building a Lean business system that touches every aspect of the business. This book tells a very important story in the history of Lean." - Daniel Jones, Founder, Lean Enterprise Academy, and co-author of Lean Thinking

"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." - Kevin Meyer, President of Superfactory Ventures, LLC

"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." - Brian Maskell, President, BMA Inc., and co-author of Practical Lean Accounting