What Is Lean Six Sigma? Lean Six Sigma is a team-focused managerial approach that seeks to improve performance by eliminating resource waste and defects. It combines Six Sigma methods and tools with the lean manufacturing/lean enterprise philosophy. It strives to eliminate the waste of physical resources, time, effort, and talent while assuring quality in production
What Are Long-Term Equity Anticipation Securities (LEAPS)? The term long-term equity anticipation securities (LEAPS) refers to publicly traded options contracts with expiration dates that are longer than one year, and typically up to three years from issue. They are functionally identical to most other listed options, except with longer times until expiration. A LEAPS contract
What Is a Learning Curve? A learning curve is a mathematical concept that graphically depicts how a process is improved over time due to learning and increased proficiency. The learning curve theory is that tasks will require less time and resources the more they are performed because of proficiencies gained as the process is learned.
Investopedia / Julie Bang What Is a Lease? A lease is a contract outlining the terms under which one party agrees to rent an asset—in this case, property—owned by another party. It guarantees the lessee, also known as the tenant, use of the property and guarantees the lessor (the property owner or landlord) regular payments for
What Is a Leaseback? A leaseback is an arrangement in which the company that sells an asset can lease back that same asset from the purchaser. With a leaseback—also called a sale-leaseback—the details of the arrangement, such as the lease payments and lease duration, are made immediately after the sale of the asset. In a
What Is a Lease Balance? The lease balance is the amount of money that a customer owes under the terms of a vehicle lease contract. The lease balance becomes important in two main situations. The first is in the event that a car is stolen and not recovered, is totaled in an accident, or is
What Is a Lease Extension? A lease extension refers to a legal agreement that extends the term of an existing lease or rental agreement. Extensions are not a requirement in a business relationship but are often granted just before an original agreement is set to expire. They are common in relationships between landlords and tenants
What Is a Leasehold Improvement? The term leasehold improvement refers to any changes made to customize a rental property to satisfy the particular needs of a specific tenant. These changes and alterations may include painting, installing partitions, changing the flooring, or putting in customized light fixtures. Improvements may be undertaken by the landlord or the tenant
What Are Lease Payments? A lease payment is the equivalent of the monthly rent, that is formally dictated under a contract between two parties, granting one participant the legal right to use the other individual’s real estate holdings, manufacturing equipment, computers, software, or other fixed assets, for a specified amount of time. A lease provides
What Is a Lease Rate? A lease rate is the amount of money paid over a specified time period for the rental of an asset, such as real property or an automobile. The lease rate—the amount the lessor earns from allowing someone else to use their property—compensates them for not being able to use that
