Larry Miles was a prolific lecturer, instructor and speaker, and was noted for succinctly saying what needed to be said to
get his points across. Enjoy the following examples:

• All cost is for function
• Mind tuning is an essential step in problem solving
• Feelings always influence and often control decisions
• Bring roadblocks clearly into the open
• 'Blast, create and refine' is a special technique for success
• Cost and quality have no direct relationship
• Value analysis is a system for use when better than normal results are needed
• Ask, 'Would I spend my money this way?'
• Ask, 'Exactly what are we trying to do?'
• A special process of today commonly becomes the standard process of tommorrow

"Instead of thinking and talking in terms of 'things,' value analysis changes the thinking process to 'functions.'

"No one really wants a refrigerator. He wants the food preserved. The needs and wants of man are not for things but for function, i.e.:

In fishing, not a hook or net, but catch fish.
In farming, not plow, but turn soil.
Not a bracket, but, support weight.
Not a spring, but, continue pressure.
Not a motor, but, turn shaft.
Not a stove, but, cook food.

"The means for making 'things' are restrictive. Then, alas, perhaps too late, it is found that the thing is not needed at all to achieve the function the user wants.

A hammer drives nails one way.
A bolt holds parts one way.
A bracket supports weight one way.
A pencil makes marks one way.
A box encloses parts one way.

While 'things' are restrictive to thinking, 'functions' may often be accomplished a multitude of ways - electrically, mechanically, and more."