Get a 12-Step Program --Dickeson

Here's a Starting Point

I say start with accounting. That's easiest for me to understand. Accounting translates finished goods to receivables. How long are finished goods staying in the plant system? Better not be more than a day—at most.

Then move to a big time-eater—receivables! Forty-five days is RIDICULOUS. There are 8.1 periods of 45 in a 365-day year. Forty-five can be reduced to 30. That's accounting's BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for the next year if you're following a six-sigma improvement system. Then to 25 days, and so on. How low can you get receivables in days? You tell me.