The activist investor typically buys shares in a company to influence its management strategy or when he sees a strong growth potential.

Does your company reward its managers that develop more efficient ways of getting the job done? Or does it allow managers to build empires?

Operational excellence comes from creating a culture in which employees are empowered and engaged.

Cross-training and change management help keep forklift manufacturer The Raymond Corp. focused on the customer's needs.

Google's Michael Walton offers manufacturers nine tenets for supporting a culture of innovation.

While Boeing reported an accounting loss on refueling tankers in the period--its third such charge --investors focused instead on cash and 787 Dreamliner gains. 

Before the downgrade, Exxon shared the distinction with just two other companies: Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft Corp.

“We’re pulling all the levers within our control to successfully navigate in a challenging market environment," said CEO Ursula Burns.

Ask the Expert: Lean Leadership: Have a question about lean leadership? Let Larry Fast tackle it for you.

To change a culture, it is important to have a well-thought-out plan that is communicated and implemented with the buy-in of all employees and to have a change leader willing to push the envelope to make improvement happen...