Taiichi Ohno

Taiichi Ohno was one cool guy. Father of the Toyota Production System, he devised the seven wastes (or muda in Japanese) as part of this system.

More about the seven wastes — as applied to contract negotiation, of course — here:

His ten precepts:

1. You are a cost. First reduce waste.
2. First say, "I can do it." And try before everything.
3. The workplace is a teacher. You can find answers only in the workplace.
4. Do anything immediately. Starting something right now is the only way to win.
5. Once you start something, persevere with it. Do not give up until you finish it.
6. Explain difficult things in an easy-to-understand manner. Repeat things that are easy to understand.
7. Waste is hidden. Do not hide it. Make problems visible.
8. Valueless motions are equal to shortening one's life.
9. Re-improve what was improved for further improvement.
10. Wisdom is given equally to everybody. The point is whether one can exercise it.

See also

• Seven wastes of negotiation