The Just Don't Get It!

From Elephants to Investment Opportunities

The elephants you discovered through data hunting in Chapter 2 become powerful when you can show their cost in business terms. These operational constraints inflate costs, reduce capacity, and undermine your ability to keep promises to customers. Here's how this approach works at the highest stakes: When Survival Depends on ROI Another plant was a marvel in the industry— beautifully designed, automated, and staffed to run 24/7. But its capability was too narrow. The market didn't respond as expected. And the plant was losing money. I had just accepted the job of VP for the site. When I met with employees to introduce myself, the first employee question was blunt: "Are you here to shut us down?" "No! I just moved my family here." Six months later, the SVP called with a stark reality:

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