Sublime

these characteristics (customization and client contact) demand that the firm attract (and retain) highly skilled individuals.

The very best businesses have processes that are teachable and easy to follow, deliver high perceived value to customers, and result in profitable sales and repeat business – much easier said than done! You can have the best processes in the world, but if you do not have well trained, talented, and committed people executing those processes consist

The first school is represented by “classic designers,” such as my friends Dieter Rams and Kenji Ekuan, the late Ettore Sottsass, Jr., Mario Bellini, and Jonathan Ives. These designers can run their own studios or be corporate stars. Ten or fifteen years ago, I would have included myself in this group. This school’s approach to design is both logic

Schultz formed a strategic hypothesis—the Italian espresso experience could be re-created in America and the public would embrace it.

Less but better.

“less but better.”

Wilke’s secret to success? A culture of operational excellence—built on lean manufacturing, statistical process control, the theory of constraints, and purpose-built software.‡ Lean manufacturing, of course, came from the Toyota Way, the fusion of Deming’s and Japan’s “East meets West” ideas and practices. Statistical process control, too, comes st

to be minimalist markers and become workday assistants?

the disciplined pursuit of less