This book is written by George Koenigsaecker, one of the most well-known lean thinkers of our time, who led 11 corporations, as President or Group President, onto the lean path. Today, all 11 still practice lean - most for over 15 years. George possesses a long history of transforming corporations into industry leaders. Organized in the chronological sequence that a leader embarking on a lean journey would experience, Leading the Lean Enterprise Transformation:

• Describes the simple, yet powerful, True North metrics used by Toyota and how they drive every line item in the good direction
• Explains the use of value stream analysis at the leadership level
• Shows how to structure successful kaizen events that improve the value stream
• Presents tactical organizational steps necessary to sustain double-digit improvements
• Explores the development of a corporate assessment and review structure in support of a lean transformation
• Introduces leadership tools such as strategy deployment, transformation value stream analysis, and Transformation Plan of Care^®
• Discusses the least understood and most critical aspect of a lean transformation: the building of a lean culture

Author George Koenigsaecker

Koenigsaecker's experience includes setting the strategy and leading lean transformations at companies including Jacobs Vehicle Equipment, Danaher and The HON Company. Several of Koenigsaecker's clients have received recognition for their breakthrough results, including a spot on Industry Week's "World's 100 Best Managed Firms."

Currently, George is a Board member of several organizations involved in lean implementation including: The Ariens Company, Baird Capital Partners, The ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value, Simpler Consulting, the Shingo Prize and Watlow Manufacturing.

This is what leaders are saying about Leading the Lean Enterprise Transformation:

"I'm glad George finally wrote this book! His practical, experience-based understanding of lean and its implications for leaders of companies is much needed and enormously helpful. George has the credentials to say it like he experienced it -- from the same vantage point as thousands of executives and senior managers all over the world." Robert Miller
Executive Director,
The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence

"Koenigsaecker has been my sensei for over seven years. The lessons he has worked to impart are all contained right here... a must-read for anyone serious about lean process improvement." Donald J. Wetekam,
Group Vice President,
AAR Corporation. Lieutenant General (retired) USAF

"Koenigsaecker makes a complex subject simple... a great 'how-to' guide for leaders on lean process improvement based on years of practical experience." Major General Dave Gillett

"Koenigsaecker's story is an inspirational one. In this book, he captures succinctly over thirty years of wisdom about how to lead a Lean transformation." David Fillingham,
Chairman and CEO,
Royal Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

"Through the lens of his own transformational journey, Koenigsaecker provides readers with a step-by-step primer for building a culture of continuous improvement and offers interesting anecdotes to support his philosophy that a lean culture will always supersede lean tools." Mike Ward,
President,
Autoliv Americas

"Finally, a hands-on, real-world book written by someone who has actually led several lean transformations. My only concern is that my competitors get their hands on this book." Peter Desloge,
Chairman and CEO,
Watlow Corporation

"Koenigsaecker has written a wise book that goes beyond an explanation of the tools of lean to provide keen insights derived from his three decades of experience on the ground as a lean leader." Alan Aviles,
President,
New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation

"Koenigsaecker's practical, experience based understanding of lean and its implications for leaders of companies is much needed and enormously helpful. He has the credentials to say it like he experienced it — from the same vantage point as thousands of executives and senior managers all over the world." Robert Miller,
Executive Director,
The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence

"Very few individuals in North America have the level of experience leading change as George Koenigsaecker. This is a great book for anyone beginning their lean journey." Dan Ariens,
President and CEO,
The Ariens Company

"Koenigsaecker's long and extensive study and application of lean at the strategic and tactical levels make him a foremost authority on the topic. He has a unique and valuable grasp of the tools, process and change dynamics at implementing organizational lean transformation." Stan Askren,
Chairman,
President, and CEO, HNI Corporation

"Koenigsaecker hits a grand slam with Leading the Lean Enterprise Transformation, and the operative word is "leading!" George drives home the point that Lean is as natural in the touch labor arena as it is in the intellectual labor arena--and leadership is the key to success in both." A. B. Morrill III,
Major General,
USAF, Vice Director, Defense Logistics Agency

"Any senior executive serious about leading a lean transformation should start here. Koenigsaecker captures well the essence of sustained lean success, not just the feel-good kaizen event." Larry Culp,
President and CEO,
Danaher Corporation

"Koenigsaecker has spent more time transforming more organizations into lean enterprises than any other CEO. In this brief volume, he summarizes his 30 years of experimentation by describing lean, showing how to measure it, explaining the role of value stream analysis and kaizen, and providing a tactical and a strategic action plan for lean transformation." Jim Womack,
Chairman and Founder,
Lean Enterprise Institute

"This truly worked for us, and continues to make our Air Force better. The message comes with great stories and legendary examples to make Leading the Lean Enterprise Transformation readable for all." Michael W. Wynne,
21st Secretary,
United States Air Force

"Koenigsaecker has been one of the most important mentors for me on our lean journey. His willingness to share his knowledge and experience with the ThedaCare team has been invaluable." John Toussaint,
CEO,
ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value