He said Farmers' consistent earnings growth reflected a lean operation structured to be recession proof.

In fact, it is one of the leanest and meanest operations in Washington.

It is a lean operation that spends about 6 cents for every dollar raised, one of the lowest spending rates among major universities.

In some ways, the campaign, a lean operation that relies heavily on volunteers, appears to be a kind of work-in-progress.

Cooper, which was founded 75 years ago, has also prospered through a lean operation.

The bank's penchant for lean operations, others surmise, may have kept it from having quite the systems or the manpower to recover quickly.

For the most part, you're going to see lean operations.

In response to the challenge, a lean operation has become leaner: * Staff has been trimmed.

She has "a lean operation," with two professional assistants.

This way we can run a very lean operation.