If you are looking for a systematic way to improve business performance, you may want to consider Lean Six Sigma. By eliminating waste and focusing on lean enterprise and manufacturing principles, organizations can revamp their processes and jump-start performance.
The list of high-profile companies that have benefited from this approach is extensive. The retail giant Staples, for example, implemented Lean Six Sigma methods that created millions in financial benefits by streamlining operations. This ultimately delivered a ten-fold return on the program’s implementation costs.
With this in mind, here are some Lean Six Sigma trends that may enhance your business:
More Organizations Embrace an Integrated Approach
The Lean Six Sigma methodologies have different origin stories: Six Sigma began as a set of process-improvement techniques at Motorola in the 1980s, while Lean manufacturing was developed by Toyota. The idea to merge the two approaches is still fairly young and was introduced only 15 years ago.
Since then, the Lean Six Sigma concept has grown more refined. Expect this to continue as more organizations see the wisdom in following a single, integrated approach to waste reduction and lean enterprise.
New Industries Adopt Methodology
Although Lean Six Sigma trace their lineage back to technology and auto manufacturing, they have long since crossed over to a wider variety of industries. Today, you can find Lean Six Sigma disciples in government, healthcare, finance and numerous other fields. This trend will grow even more pronounced in the coming year, as more companies see the value in a lean approach fueled to reduce waste.
Companies Will Tailor Lean Six Sigma
Organizations have historically adopted Lean Six Sigma methods in an effort to replicate something that has worked for another enterprise. This “blind adoption” approach is being replaced by a more proactive model optimized to meet the specific needs of a business and its customers.
The result? Better performance, higher reliability and processes that remain lean for the long haul.
The Bottom Line
Lean Six Sigma has rightly been celebrated for its potential to improve performance by reducing waste and inefficiency. Organizations must invest time and resources to this approach to see long-term results.
Contact us at Duffy Group, Inc., to experience the Lean Six Sigma methodologies they apply to their recruiting process.