Sprint over Swimming:Team Work concept from relay races !

In one of the articles from Lean Instiute came across this interesting concept of Team work.
One critical idea was "mutual assistance teamwork" where team members support each other, as a runner waiting for the next stage of the race would react to the runner in the previous stage, who might be struggling, and reach back to provide support and execute a clean handoff. The help the next runner can provide is illustrated below in cartoons prepared by Toshiko Narusawa, co-author with John of Kaizen Express.
This is unlike swimming and other types of relays where the previous contestant must reach a specific point before the next contestant can start moving ahead.
Both is team work but the intensity differs !

Lean Retailing : Don't WASTE anymore time,get on to it !

Currently Toyota might be going through tough times ,but the Lean Management principles which they have taught the world has benefited so many companies.
Lean Management principles are not just confined to Manufacturing anymore ;Lean Retailing - applying Lean principles in Retail is definitely an effective approach to identify , analyze and eliminate waste across the spectrum of Retail.
Starbucks , has reported bottomline benefits due to its lean initiatives.
Below is a snapshot of their Lean approach to coffee making workspace.

Read the full story in Wall Street journal
Lean Retailing should be the way to look ahead for retailers small or big.