A mechanism to enable the continual flow of improvement focused on customer satisfaction would derive from a single dynamic representation of the enterprise, its customers, and its environment, as shown above. I call this dynamic representation of enterprise a General Enterprise Model (GEM).

From the GEM, we can build a tool that can generate a near infinite number of views of the enterprise, on an ad-hoc or routine basis, providing a comprehensive Enterprise Collaboration System (ECS), enhancing the informing, involving, and coordination ability of the enterprise, in whole and in part.

The preceding CQI models are examples of views derived from this model. Just as the CQI view was derived from and supported by the GEM, other views such as an "Enterprise Model" can be derived and supported. All of these display the forms, flows, and relationship patterns of business, culture, and technology within and around an enterprise.

Using the GEM approach to build your enterprise’s ECS, you build a customized capability from which you can create and maintain a supplier enterprise that is customer-focused and continuously improving.