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Financial crisis and six sigma

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  • May 20, 2009 at 9:31 am #52381

    Horst Jantzen
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    I am giving an introduction to six sigma for a group of managers. And I want to mention something about how the time now is right for getting started with six sigma. Does anyone have some input for this?
    My thoughts are that when sales is dropping focus should be on improving cash flow and cutting cost. At the same time a focus on quality and an investment in the emloyees would be very good for employee morale.
    Thanks
     

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    May 20, 2009 at 3:39 pm #184263

    Robert S
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    Horst, SS, when implemented reasonably well has an ROI in excess of 10 to 1. Can’t imagine there is any argument more powerful than that.
    However, you are on the right track with your statements. When combined with Lean these methodologies lower inventory investment, reduce production costs, improve quality, increase capital velocity and assist with mngt focus and provide the opportunity for better decision making. There is no better time than now to implement LSS.

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    May 20, 2009 at 5:17 pm #184269

    MBBinWI
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Find some readily apparent applications for LEAN to reduce wastes in your operations (believe me, there are hundreds/thousands), and don’t make it just 5S.
    If you haven’t initiated a DMAIC program, I would suggest starting with a DfSS perspective.  If you can develop a mindset of proactive prevention and creating your outputs to be within process variation conditions, you will have an even greater ROI than the 10 to 1 that Robert specifies.  You’ll never be able to capture it in a financial document that the accountants will sign off on, but it is real nonetheless (regardless of what GAAP says).
    Or, you can take the Deming approach and not identify a program at all, just start applying the methods/tools to solve problems.

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    May 21, 2009 at 7:53 am #184296

    Big Al
    ★ 20 Years ★
    Participant

    Great responses from previous contributors – I like the idea of using the tools and applying DMAIC.  Assuming you want the accountants on your side and assuming they appreciate rigour and process, a starting point might to be engage them in identifying the top 5 issues in the income statement (largest variance from budget in %age and $ terms) and the top 5 working capital issues (by value?).  Top 5 and focus on dollars are concepts that people get – and they align with two key DMAIC/L/SS aspects – focus on measurable data and prioritise the problems.  You’re thus introducing L/SS by making it practical and relevant and you’ve made the accountants your friends – that’s not such a bad thing is it?    

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    May 21, 2009 at 8:16 am #184297

    RickL
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    One of the reason to implement LSS now is because the econ activities are slowing now so that workforce will have lesser workload. It is beneficial to deploy the human resources to look into some area for improvement and optimize the business setting to prepare for the recovery.Companies can take chance to re-engineer their business processes with simplified, transparent and more flexible structure which will help to reduce the operation cost.
    In simpler words, if you are not driving your car in the winter, send it to the workshop for full overhaul service ,diagnose and engine tuning so that it can run healthier than ever when the spring comes……
     

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    May 21, 2009 at 1:37 pm #184302

    Cone
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    There is a better argument to get radical improvement now and invest
    in your employees later. The former funds the later.

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    May 21, 2009 at 3:51 pm #184306

    Stevo
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    Horst,
     
    Not sure of your angle.
     
    If you are a consultant trying to drum up business; there is probably a better approach.
     
    If you are a true disciple of continuous improvement, then it’s in your best interest not to sell “the time now is right for getting started with six sigma”.  Explain the facts and let them decide.
     
    If you are trying to impress a bunch of co-workers, pick a sexier and less controversial topic.
     
    Stevo

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    May 21, 2009 at 4:33 pm #184309

    Taylor
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Horst
    You might try the correct use of “is” and “are” in your statements

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    May 21, 2009 at 6:51 pm #184314

    DjZ
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    I am glad to see the high level and quality of response by Stevo and Chad as compared to the rest of the responses.  On a scale of 1 to 10 all others 10 theirs -1000. Typical when you have nothing good to respond show your ignorance and put everyone else down.  Nice job, well done

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    May 21, 2009 at 7:10 pm #184317

    Stevo
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    DjZ,
     
    On a scale from 1 to 10 it’s impossible to have a -1000, oh wait I get it, you were being sarcastic.  I wasn’t. 
     
    Sometimes you have protect a novice from themselves.  By the type of question that was asked, he has no business trying to “sell” six sigma to anyone.  He will do more damage than good.
     
    Now on a more personal point, if you think all of the other responses were 10’s.  I think you might reevaluate your right to criticize.
     
    Stevo

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    May 21, 2009 at 7:35 pm #184319

    Taylor
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Djz
    My point was this: if you are going to speak to a group of managers, vice presidents, etc, and expect to “sell” them anything, good grammar may be a place to start.
    But hell what do I know, I’ve never done this before…………………

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    May 21, 2009 at 8:13 pm #184325

    Cone
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Stevo,Good to have you back but lose the fan club. There is enough
    stupidity to go around with just RS and DH.

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    May 21, 2009 at 8:34 pm #184333

    Stevo
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    Just like Jello, there’s always room for more stupidity.
    Stevo.
    PS.  This is why I tried to stay away.  I thought either I would get smarter or the forum would seem less stupid.  My bad.

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    May 21, 2009 at 8:36 pm #184334

    Robert S
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    DjZ, please tell me what you found to be objectionable about my post?

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    May 21, 2009 at 8:37 pm #184335

    Robert S
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    Oopps…I misread your post.

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    May 21, 2009 at 8:40 pm #184336

    Robert S
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    Thanks for the input Gary…it’s so terrific to have self-appointed judges around.

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    May 22, 2009 at 12:31 am #184339

    Cone
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Anything I can do to be of service.

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    May 22, 2009 at 12:32 am #184340

    Cone
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Back to the point I made to Stevo

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    May 27, 2009 at 6:41 pm #184415

    DjZ
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Your response was excellent and to the point it’s the self appointed judges I was referring to.  I have converted 3 facilities to lean, been involved with six sigma as a BB now for 5 years and have implemented 7 full blown ERP systems.  You response was right on the money and is what I would expect from a professional.  Well done

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    May 27, 2009 at 7:12 pm #184418

    Taylor
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    DJZ
    Did you really do all that by yourself?

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    May 27, 2009 at 7:22 pm #184419

    DjZ
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    no as part of many teams both as a member and also as a project manager.  And no I am not a consultant

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    May 27, 2009 at 7:44 pm #184420

    Taylor
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    I did not ask if you were a consultant. I ask if you did all that by yourself. Your statements seemed to insinuate that you did.

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    May 28, 2009 at 10:55 am #184426

    DjZ
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Now here in lies the problem, you along with others take a statement made by someone, add your own twists to it.  Had I answered your reply with yes I did then I surely would have gotten some kind of stupid reply like “Gee you must be a God” or “who do you think you are superman”, which is why I said what I did.
    This website would be much ,ore fruitful if you would begin to realize that  yes there are repeat questions but you need to remember most people don’t sit at their screens all day waiting for a question that someone can rip apart.  A lot are new first time viewers and like myself scan the topics for ones that look interesting. 
    And yes I agreee that people should not be looking for their homework problems to be answered but rather they should be given direction not sarcasm.

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    May 28, 2009 at 1:16 pm #184430

    Taylor
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    DjZ
    Na, the problem is that you come on here and your very post is critical of what Stevo and I said. Then you make this statement “I have converted 3 facilities to lean”, along with a whole line of other accomplishments. Which we all know is BS. If your trying to impress someone with your “Professionalism” go somewhere else because I assure you it won’t happen here.
    So far all I’ve seen you do is tell Gary good job, you have not contributed to this site in any positive manner and continue to be critical of people, including myself, whom contribute here almost daily. So instead of getting your panties in a wad, why don’t you try to give some insightful feed back to posters questions and contribute.
    PS
    Don’t take all this wrong, but when you see Stevo, hbgb, or myself post, most likely it will something SA and pointing out the absolute obvious. That said on occassion we do contribute and help a lot of people. If you think that is too un-professional for you, then go somewhere else.

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    May 28, 2009 at 1:23 pm #184431

    DjZ
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    with this response from you all I can say is I rest my case.  This is a typical response from the three stooges.

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    May 28, 2009 at 2:11 pm #184433

    Kluttz
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    Anybody here seen the episode of South Park where Timmy & Jimmy get in a knockdown all-out brawl?
    Yeah, this reminds me of that. 

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    May 28, 2009 at 2:15 pm #184434

    Taylor
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    No Kidding, I cant beleive I let myself get sucked into these replies. Least I’m laughing about it. Because it is some funny stuff……………….
    Oh well glad I can amuse some people

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    May 28, 2009 at 5:01 pm #184441

    Cone
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Someone has to take up the slack while Stan is on sabatical.

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    May 28, 2009 at 5:22 pm #184442

    Robert S
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    It may be a while before the authorities allow him to use a computer again… you know… because of that stuff…

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    May 28, 2009 at 6:32 pm #184443

    Stevo
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    Best fight seen ever.
    From Wikipedia – “Cripple Fight”
    “The mini-DVD commentary for the episode describes how the fight between Jimmy and Timmy is based on the fight between John Nada (Roddy Piper) and Frank Armitage (Keith David) in the 1988 film They Live, including the numerous knees to the groin and the insistence that Timmy put on the hat.”
    Stevo (Stooge 1)

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