Lean Six Sigma Doesn't Work...

Yep, that’s the rumor apparently…  I heard this just the other day.  I had to ask her where she heard this.  She said that a friend told her that he worked for 2 different companies.  One where it worked well, and one where it didn’t work well.  I pressed more, and she would only offer hearsay that her friend had a bad experience with it and wouldn’t go any further.

I had to admit that I fully understood why Lean Six Sigma doesn’t always work.  I told her that there are good implementations and bad implementations of Lean Six Sigma.  I told her that there are many factors that come with Lean Six Sigma in a company.

I gave her an example.  Some companies use Lean Six Sigma as a tool, focused solely on “Quick Wins”.  I told her that you can’t judge Lean Six Sigma by a Lean Six Sigma professional going into a large company, doing all of the work that goes into getting current state, making one or more "Quick Win" changes only and then moving on to the next company.

While that is effective for that specific “Quick Win”, it is more than that.  Much more.  For those of us that have worked for multi-nationals that were emersed in Lean Six Sigma, we can tell you that it does work.  If implemented correctly.   

Lean Six Sigma, if done right, is not just a “Quick Win”.  It’s a culture.  It is a commitment.  If you want on-off small improvements, then sure, use it as a tool.  If you want a transformation with regards to employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction and profitability, then you should probably investigate a Lean Six Sigma professional that can help you establish and nurture a culture of Lean Six Sigma.  Someone who has learned, worked, and built a Lean Six Sigma culture.

Now, saying that… You must ask how committed you are.  If you go into it with anything less than full commitment, then you might end up being part of the rumor mill.  If you do go into it with full commitment, then you very likely will be the company celebrating greater market share, profit margins, employee satisfaction and increased brand reputation, while your competition is wondering why your company is still sticking with Lean Six Sigma.

Lean Six Sigma is not just process.  It is technology, people, and business.  If you are committed to all of those, then your commitment to building a Lean Six Sigma culture starts a chain-reaction.  When your employees benefit, they will in turn benefit your business.  When your business benefits, you can invest in technology, that benefits your employees and business.  When your business improves, your market share, and profit margins improve.

Our advice, seek a Lean Six Sigma professional and include him/her in your strategy.  It does work.

Rick@NextLevelLSS.com