Praise for The Launch of the Century

I couldn't put it down, I was rooting for the resourceful Wistful team to succeed all the way, because we have all been there ourselves.  Perfect for developing Supply Chain awareness and collaboration within companies.  I wish I had read this book at the beginning of my career. 

Emmanuel Plazol, former CSCO L'Oreal

There has never been a business book like this, much less one about Supply Chain.  Without any numbers, graphs, or equations, Markoff and Magnani take the reader on an enlightening, thought-provoking ride through the field of Operations – Supply Chain Management and Planning. A creative and engaging way to introduce the basic concepts every Laney of the world has to master for every Launch of the Century.

Gustavo Ghory, former CSCO Kimberly-Clark

The authors succeed at introducing critical supply chain and operations concepts in an entertaining, easily digestible read.  A useful complement that helps bring life and color to course materials. 

Daniel Corsten, Professor of Operations and Technology at IE University 

This engaging story is a great introduction to the exciting world of operations and supply chain management. Set against the dynamic backdrop of a cosmetic factory, it offers readers a fresh and accessible way to grasp key concepts. With its focus on real-world scenarios, this book is a valuable resource for bridging theory with practical application.

Pär Åhlström, Professor of Business Administration at Stockholm School of Economics

Launch of the Century provides an easy way of understanding what lean is about in a manufacturing setting. It is an easy and entertaining read and provides a great way for the student or anyone else to learn the basics in a few hours. Congratulations to Richard and Florian.

Peter Hines, Professor at Waterford Institute of Technology & Co-Founder of the Lean Enterprise Research Centre at Cardiff University

This book manages to introduce key concepts of operations and supply chain management in a way that is fun, easy to read, and accessible to all. Whether you're new to the field or just curious about what keeps the world running smoothly, this book offers valuable insights without overwhelming technical jargon.

Valentina Carbone, Professor of sustainability and supply chain management at ESCP Business School

The Launch of the Century by Richard Markoff and Florian Magnani is not another supply chain textbook, of which there are plenty. It’s not a math exercise, nor does it drown you in jargon. It is a pure, fun, and playful introduction to supply chain management that you won’t put down once you start reading. It is as instructive and insightful as it is captivating. A perfect introduction for those new to the topic. It’s fictional yet real. It makes you smile when they navigate the minefield of decisions and problems any major new product launch is plagued with. And, it is a perfect mirror for supply chain managers to reflect on how things would have worked out in their organizations if confronted with the same challenges. In a good way…

Ralf Seifert, Professor of Operations Management at IMD and EPFL

This novel brings the idea of learning by doing to a whole new level! In The Launch of the Century, Markoff and Magnani take us through the critical stages of a new product introduction - and use the story of Laney Jones, Manufacturing Planning Director at Wistful Beauty and the launch of Rainbow Sun to illustrate how lean thinking and practice can be used to streamline the entire process. Together with Laney, we learn that key to success is the adoption of the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, which fosters communication and collaboration across different departments. Join Laney and her team as they make the launch of Rainbow Sun the lean success story of the century!

Daryl Powell, Chief Scientist at Sintef

The Launch of the Century is an engaging introduction to supply chain and operations management. Through the story of a new product launch at Wistful Beauty, it makes lean thinking and collaboration accessible and fun. Perfect for students, this book bridges theory and practice, offering valuable insights in an entertaining narrative. A must-read for anyone curious about navigating real-world supply chain challenges. Read it!

Didier Rabino, President at Lean Management Systems

The Launch of the Century” by Richard Markoff and Florian Magnani is a brilliant depiction of the nuanced, interconnected world of supply chain management. For those of us who live and breathe lean principles, this novel is like looking into a mirror that reflects not only the technical demands but also the cultural shift required for operational excellence. Through compelling characters and a thrilling narrative, it showcases the delicate balance between flow efficiency, adaptability, and teamwork—principles at the heart of lean. This book is a fantastic read for anyone eager to understand the power of continuous improvement in today’s complex business landscape.

Niklas Modig, Author of “This is lean: Resolving the Efficiency paradox”

I personally enjoyed reading the book. It’s always difficult to mix business and fiction, but I think Richard and Florian have done an excellent job. I can see how this can be a case study to introduce various Lean-related topics into a classroom setting

Ken Snyder, Executive Director of the Shingo Institute

"The Launch of the Century" is a rare gem - a supply chain novel. This simple, accessible book introduces some key principles of supply chain management through an entertaining story. Follow Laney, a new director of manufacturing planning, as she navigates the complexities of launching a groundbreaking hair care product, overcoming challenges and mastering the art of orchestration with other departments along the way.

Kai Hoberg, Professor of Supply Chain and Operations Strategy at KLU

"The Launch of the Century" is an excellent and extremely well-written book that offers deep insights into the specific challenges of supply chain and operations management. It masterfully blends tangible industry details with a highly plausible storyline, making complex concepts both accessible and engaging. Beyond being a compelling read, it is a remarkably proficient business novel packed with valuable teaching points—an essential resource for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of product launches and cross-functional collaboration. 

Tom Ehrenfeld, Award-winning editorial consultant, Eleven Shingo Prizes winner