LEXINGTON, KY and CROSSVILLE, TN -- WhatTheyThink, the leading news and information site for the graphic communications industry, and Point Balance, a leading executive education and management consulting firm serving graphic communications companies, announce the immediate availability of the Point Balance Lean Self-Assessment.  The price for the assessment is $50.00, and it is available for purchase at:

http://wttstore.com/lese.html

The Point Balance Lean Self-Assessment contains an Excel-based data collection and reporting tool and a guide in PDF format that provides an introduction to lean principles and explains how to use the assessment tool.  The assessment focuses on twelve criteria that are essential to a lean enterprise.  Managers can use the Point Balance Lean Self-Assessment to evaluate how “lean” their company is today and to monitor their progress toward becoming a “leaner,” more productive, and more profitable enterprise.

The Point Balance Lean Self-Assessment was developed by G. David Dodd, the principal of Point Balance and a regular contributor to WhatTheyThink.  Dodd is also the moderator of the lean manufacturing discussion forum at PrintPlanet (http://printplanet.com/forums/lean-manufacturing/).

Dodd contends that lean business practices are now critical to the survival and prosperity of most graphic communications firms.  “The current economic conditions,” Dodd observes, “are the most difficult that graphic communications companies have faced in decades.  An already tough competitive environment has become much, much worse over the past few months.  To survive this downturn and prosper in the future, printing companies must become more efficient and more productive.  New technologies will play an important role in that, of course, but improving business processes and practices will be equally important.  Lean is a tested and proven system for improving business performance, and the Point Balance Lean Self-Assessment can help managers get started on their lean transformation.”

The Point Balance Lean Self-Assessment is available for immediate purchase here.