In the world of business, turning around a struggling company can seem like magic. But former President and CO, Charles Eitel, argues it's not some mysterious process. According to Eitel, a successful turnaround boils down to ten key disciplines of operating.

Eitel shares his experience reviving a company that had become bloated, with low quality and employee morale. Eitel's solution? Focus on the people. Here's how he did it:

• Empowerment: Eitel simplified production and gave employees the authority to make decisions. This boosted morale and efficiency.

• Waste Reduction: A company-wide initiative tackled waste, driven by employee ideas.

These changes led to the implementation of the same strategy across the entire operation, achieving even greater results.

Eitel's 10 Disciplines for Turnaround:

• Invest in Employee Training: A skilled and knowledgeable workforce is essential.

• Teamwork: Create a culture where employees collaborate on waste reduction, quality improvement, and environmental responsibility.

• Frequent Communication: Hold regular meetings across all departments to keep everyone informed and address challenges proactively.

• Continuous Improvement: Always strive to refine products and processes, aiming for zero waste.

• Efficiency: Maximize output with minimal resources.

• Just-in-Time Manufacturing: Produce only what's ordered, eliminating unnecessary inventory and boosting cash flow.

• Inventory is a Liability: Don't stockpile products; focus on efficiency.

• Make-to-Order and Fast Delivery: Become the speediest provider in your market.

• Prioritize Top Products: Offer exceptional service for your best-selling products.

• Transparency: Communicate key metrics openly to all employees.

Charles Eitel's message is clear: successful turnarounds hinge on people and streamlined processes. Any company can achieve remarkable transformations by creating a workplace that attracts and empowers employees and simplifying operations.

By implementing a three-pronged approach: simplifying production, empowering employees, and launching a massive employee-driven waste reduction initiative, Charles Eitel steered the ship back on track within a year.

Charles Eitel was able to transform a once-failing business into a global leader in the commercial interior industry. Sales and operating income nearly doubled within four years, and the company's market value skyrocketed from $200 million to over $1 billion by 1998. This case study demonstrates that effective turnaround focuses on streamlining processes and empowering employees, proving that positive change can be achieved without sacrificing core strengths.

All copies of "The TEN DISCIPLINES of Business Turnaround" can be found online.