At least it is a first shot at finding out what went on. Approximately 200 Jonahs gathered for this semi annual workshop. The general character of this workshop focused on 'large' companies. Several billion dollar a year companies presented as well as a few very small agencies. Things go in and come out.
Inventory is raw material that goes in and comes out as finished goods.
Money that goes in is Operating Expense. For example in the school systems, students are raw material and finished goods. The change in educational units per person per unit time is the throughput. The students in the system is the Inventory. If you can get the same Throughput with less Inventory, great.