Readers will get spectacular results by following Harrington's basic principles and step-by-step plan for achieving total improvement management. First, he shows how to integrate the four competing methodologies of total technology management, total quality management, total productivity management, and total cost management. Balancing each of these factors results in solid business decisions on where to spend limited resources to ensure long-term results. Next, he puts his total improvement management (TIM) pyramid into action in 15 steps that illustrate how to: obtain upper management commitment and participation; construct a strong business plan; develop a customized 3-year improvement plan out of a clear vision statement; establish process improvement teams; upgrade systems to prevent problems before they occur; motivate through employee recognition programs; and more! Armed with these tools, managers will be able to coordinate the many, often conflicting, improvement efforts going on in today's organizations - thereby achieving total improvement management and renewed customer loyalty. It's a goal that American business can't afford to miss, especially in today's highly competitive global marketplace.