"We are systematically moving to increase efficiencies, improve execution and transform the company".
Fare machines are supposed to increase efficiencies and hold down costs — a perpetual M.T.A. concern, especially when it wants another fare increase.
"One reason for declining payrolls is the continued attempt by manufacturers to increase efficiencies and reduce costs, particularly as energy and other raw material costs have risen," said Peter Kretzmer, an economist at Banc of America Securities in New York.
Even though the plants have been considered flexible for many years, capable of producing minivans, sedans and sports cars on the same assembly line, Mr. Imaki routinely challenged engineers to increase efficiencies.
With some suppliers complaining that the company has bullied them, Wal-Mart has caused factories from South Texas to Shanghai to increase efficiencies continually and to lower their costs and prices.
Furthermore, because of programs like those promoted by Grameen Foundation to reduce microfinance borrowing costs and to use technology to increase efficiencies, interest rates are falling by 2.3 percent a year.
