This is Lean: How to solve the efficiency paradox

This is Lean, written by Niklas Modig and Pär Åhlström, offers a practical and accessible guide to understanding and applying lean principles – a management approach that has transformed numerous organisations worldwide.
Lean Thinking is a management approach that aims to maximise customer value while minimising waste. It is built on five fundamental principles: Value, which involves defining what is truly important for the customer; Value Flow, which identifies all the steps necessary to create value and eliminate waste; Flow, which ensures that the production process moves without interruption; Pull, where products and services are created only on customer demand; and Perfection, where there is a constant effort to improve every process.
But what does Lean truly mean, and why is it so important?
The term Lean refers to a management approach focused on creating more value for clients by reducing waste to a minimum. This philosophy is rooted in five key principles: Value, which emphasises understanding what the customer perceives as valuable; Value Stream Mapping, which identifies all activities required to take a product from concept to the end customer, removing activities that do not add value; Continuous Flow, which organises work so that the product or service moves seamlessly without interruptions; Pull Production, which involves producing only what the customer demands, avoiding overproduction; and Perfection, which is the continuous improvement of processes to achieve operational excellence.

“Over the past fifteen years, I have read numerous books on the Lean System, perhaps even all the ones available on the market. However, I could never understand why so many entrepreneurs were unclear about the benefits the Lean System could bring to their organisation, processes, people, and customers. Then I read 'This is Lean' and realised that the obstacles entrepreneurs and managers face when investing in the Lean System stem from a paradox that goes against common thinking: every entrepreneur and manager aims to improve the efficiency of their company.” This is the testimony of Alessandro Faorlin, Partner & Account Relationship Leader at auxiell, who, thanks to auxiell itself and Edizioni Guerini (a publisher of management, business, innovation and lean books), translated the text to make it accessible to those who find English a barrier.
This is Lean is essential reading for anyone looking to understand and implement Lean Thinking principles. By adopting these principles, companies can reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and create lasting value for their customers.

Alessandro Farolin - Partner & Account Relationship Leader auxiell