Abstract :
To sustain a higher level of competitiveness, manufacturing companies must become increasingly adaptable and responsive to changes in markets, competitors and customers. Many successful companies have found improved productivity by releasing staff from the constraints of formal budgeting. Judging by the literature over recent years, there are four influential pieces of work that, when taken together, can help to shape the successful manufacturing company. They include the lean organisation, the fractal company, profit beyond measure and beyond budgeting. Each requires a radical change in the way the business is managed.