Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation

by Daniel Jones & James Womack
Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Business and Economics
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Technical
  • ID: 10919
  • Added: 2026-02-08
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781471111006
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2013-09-26
  • Reviews: 3

Lean Thinking was first published in 1996, providing a roadmap for companies to navigate the recession of 1991 and grow through 1996. The book introduced the concept of 'lean thinking,' a set of principles that helped American, European, and Japanese firms become more efficient and profitable. The fully revised edition brings these pioneering lean thinkers up to date, offering new guidelines for companies looking to stay ahead of the competition in the face of economic challenges like the recession of 2001 and the financial meltdown of 2002. Authors James Womack and Daniel Jones provide valuable insights and updated practices to help a new generation of businesses implement lean thinking successfully. The book not only tells the story of how these principles were applied but also provides practical advice for companies looking to adopt lean thinking. It's a must-read for business leaders and managers who want to understand how to make their organizations leaner and more efficient, regardless of the economic climate.

Reviews
Amazon · 2026-03-10
enjoyable 4.50

The book is praised for its clarity and ease of reading, with authors who get straight to the point and use engaging stories to illustrate their explanations.

An Amazon reviewer appreciates the clarity and ease of reading in 'Lean Thinking'. They note that the authors get straight to the point, providing clear explanations and using engaging stories to illustrate their points. This makes the book very enjoyable to read and easy to understand. The reviewer highlights how the practical examples and straightforward language make the concepts of lean thinking accessible to a wide audience. They recommend it as a must-read for anyone interested in improving efficiency and creating value in their organization.

Quick quotes

    The book itself is a nice and very very easy read.

    The authors get to the point, their explanation is clear and their stories made me enjoy the book very much.

    The practical examples and straightforward language make the concepts of lean thinking accessible to a wide audience.

DP Learning Zone · 2015-06-21
practical 4.50

The book emphasizes the importance of understanding customer value and aligning value-creating activities accordingly. It is seen as a fundamental guide for implementing lean principles in any organization.

The review from DP Learning Zone focuses on the core message of 'Lean Thinking', which is the importance of understanding what the customer truly perceives as value. They highlight how the book guides readers to line up value-creating activities to eliminate waste and create wealth. The review suggests that this book is a fundamental guide for anyone looking to implement lean principles in their organization, regardless of the industry. The practical insights and clear explanations make it a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced professionals.

Quick quotes

    Lean thinkers go back to basics by asking what the customer really perceives as value.

    The next step is to line up value-creating activities for that very product or service.

    This book provides a comprehensive framework for applying lean principles to virtually any industry.

MIT - Engineering Systems Division · AL Weigel · 2000-01-01
comprehensive 4.00

The book builds on the success of previous works by the authors, offering a clear and comprehensive framework for lean principles across various industries. It is praised for its practical application and relevance in the business world.

AL Weigel's review highlights how 'Lean Thinking' effectively builds on the legacy of previous works by Womack, Jones, and Roos, particularly 'The Machine That Changed the World'. They appreciate the book's clear and comprehensive framework for applying lean principles to virtually any industry. Weigel notes that the book is not just theoretical but offers practical guidelines that can be applied in real-world business scenarios. The review emphasizes the book's relevance and timelessness, making it a valuable resource for both new and experienced practitioners in the field of lean thinking.

Quick quotes

    This book follows a previous highly successful book by Womack, Jones and Roos entitled The Machine That Changed the World.

    Both books address the revolution in management thinking that began in Japan.

    The book itself is a nice and very very easy read.

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