Boyd runs a lean operation, relying on cheap processing power and the Internet to handle the vast majority of transactions.

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Mr. McLemore says he tries to run a lean operation, so it's against his instincts to make such large purchases.

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His lean operation makes a nice profit on below-normal management fees.

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Southwest earned these grades with a lean operation.

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This is a lean, mean operation.

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Given all that outsourcing, it is no wonder that Amazon's own operation is the lean-and-hungry kind.

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The operation is fairly lean with only 22 employees, handling multiple national accounts.

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