Palm Harbor & Principle #1

I just saw an article from Forbes.com that lists Palm Harbor Homes, Inc. as #8 in a study of the most trustworthy companies in terms of "accounting transparency and fair dealing to stake-holders during 2006." (click here to read the full article). As usual, I can see this in Lean terms.

Specifically, this exemplifies Principle #1 of The Toyota Way: "base your management decisions on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term financial goals." Corporate credibility and reputation are long-term assets that trump any short-term gains that could be conjured by "cookin' the books." As an advocate of Lean principles and an employee of Palm Harbor, I am excited to see things being done the right way around here.