Page 19 - Lean six sigma demystified

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xviii LEAN SIX SIGMA DeMYSTiFieD

Lean Six Sigma Is a Journey

Lean Six Sigma is a journey, not a destination. The good news is that you can
start today; the bad news is that you’re never finished. There will always be
better, faster, and cheaper ways to perform any process. There will always be
customers demanding that next level of perfection.
The good news is that if you’re the first one in your industry to embrace
Lean Six Sigma, you get a decided first-mover advantage. The bad news is that
if you’re a slow follower like the U.S. automotive industry, you’ll always be
playing catch-up. Japanese cars still have fewer defects per car than U.S. cars
and are produced in less time.
Customers expect ever-higher levels of quality. If you can’t deliver, they’ll
find someone who can. The typical lifespan of any business is 30 years. Will
your company still be around on its 30th or even 100th birthday? Or will it
suffer from the rigidity of the way we’ve always done things here? It’s up to you.
Lean Six Sigma can help, but you’ve got to be willing to look at what’s not
working and focus on your weaknesses, not your strengths. It’s sometimes pain-
ful, but always rewarding. It’s the breakfast of champions. Are you ready to take
the first step?

Jay Arthur