In today’s competitive world, competitors can hire the same people, buy the same materials and, unless they build
their own equipment (which could be a competitive advantage), buy the same machines. One interesting aspect of this
equation is that the outcomes are dependent variables. One can vary the inputs and the methods but the outcomes will
be the result of these, not something that one can independently manage and control. It is only the processes, procedures
and policies that make up methods that are unique to a certain business throughout all its various departments. The
key to differentiating any company is where process improvement projects are concentrated.