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The Goal

A Process of Ongoing Improvement - 30th Anniversary Edition

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The Goal

By: Eliyahu M. Goldratt, Jeff Cox
Narrated by: uncredited
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About this listen

In this intriguing business novel, which illustrates state-of-the-art economic theory, Alex Rogo is a UniCo plant manager whose factory and marriage are failing. To revitalize the plant, he follows piecemeal advice from an elusive former college professor who teaches, for example, that reduction in the efficiency of some plant operations may make the entire operation more productive. Alex's attempts to find the path to profitability and to engage his employees in the struggle involve the listener; and thankfully the authors' economic models, including a game with matchsticks and bowls, are easy to understand. Although some characters are as anonymous as the goods manufactured in the factory, others ring true. In addition, the tender story of Alex and his wife's separation and reconciliation makes a touching contrast to the rest of the book. Recommended for anyone with an interest in the state of the American economy.

©1984 Original material © 1984, Revised 1986, 1992, 2004, 2014 Goldratt1 Ltd. "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" © 2008 Eliyahu M. Goldratt. (P)2014 (p) 2014 Goldratt1 Ltd. Management Management & Leadership Organisational Behaviour Workplace & Organisational Behaviour Business Marriage Inspiring Leadership Process Improvement
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Not your typical business book. The Goals turns a potentially very dry subject into a fun and insightful listen. The production style is very nostalgic as well!

Unique, entertaining and educational

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This book is just fantastic for anyone looking to maximise their business, love the storyline.
Checkout The Phoenix Project, it’s a spinoff & equally as great !

Great lessons for productivity

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Anyone in business. I read it 30 years ago, and I have listened to it twice just now and it is still as relevant to anyone in business today. While it is set around a manufacturing plant, don't be fooled into thinking that it is just about manufacturing -- it is really about thinking, and how to think through improvements in any environment.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jonah

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scout troup hike, which explained the "drum, rope, buffer" concept without actually saying "drum, rope, buffer".

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Sometimes. The parallel story of Alex's family life was a nice emotional touch the first time reading, but it detracts on the next few readings, if you are like me and want to go back over the concepts and study the book in more detail.

Any additional comments?

A must read for business people.

Must read for anyone in business

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this book was very easy listening and enticing, the use of different voices for the characters is appreciated and the content is amazingly relevant.

awesome listening

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So easy to digest some really powerful concepts. The story format makes easy listening by basically any adult.

Required listening for those in business.

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I really enjoyed this book, story was great, it has sound of machinery when walking through a factory, birds chirping when hiking a trail, to rock music while driving home after a promotion. It has different voices of all the character's too, by far the best audio experience compared to other audio story books.

You get to see how a manufacting plant is run from the managers perspective, seeing the effects of new improvements. As a small business owner myself i have noticed areas that can be improved, based from the methods taught in this book.

Great story and useful information

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The delivery of this book was the best of any audiobook I've read. They use different voices and background noises to bring you into the story.

The plot becomes a bit thin when the author tries to apply the underlying process of ongoing improvement to the main character's marital problems. I can see where the author was trying to show that these techniques could be used in all aspects of life, but in this example I think that offloading his parenting duties to his mother and winning an epic promotion at work probably had a lot more influence in saving his marriage than directly applying his mentor's techniques of process improvement.

I'm very glad to have read this book, it helped me understand the process of identifying what the goal is in any situation.

A great read

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A bit 1980’s style but an excellent narrative used to articulate some dry business review practices based on Just In Time and Lean theories.

Great listen for SME leaders

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this is much more than a book, it's a production. with different voices for each character done very well. on top of that, the content is brilliant. and applicable to anyone that produces products of any type. I'll be listening to it again soon.

A very different style of book

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This book might be old, but is still very relevant. The story-line is smooth and interesting to an extent you WILL forget you are listening to a business book.

Fantastic!

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