Page 29 - Lean six sigma demystified

8 Lean Six Sigma DemystifieD

success of the old method often blinds people to the value of a new method
(e.g., digital versus mainspring watch, cell phone versus wired phone). I find the
same thing holds true when working with managers and business owners. The
instinctive methods of solving problems level off at about 3% error. You aren’t
going to want to abandon the strategies that have taken you this far and made
you successful, but that’s where the next level of performance can be achieved.
If you want to move to higher levels of quality and profitability, you will
want to jump the curve by learning to apply the enhanced methods and tools
of Lean Six Sigma.

Innovation, Customer Intimacy, and Operational Effectiveness

In The Discipline of Market Leaders (Wiersma, 1995), the authors created a
compelling argument that to be recognized in your industry, you will want
to be known for innovation (e.g., Intel), customer intimacy (e.g., Nordstrom),
or operational efficiency (e.g., Walmart). These form the legs of a triangle
(Fig. 1-1). They recommend that to create a recognizable brand, you will
want to maximize one of these three and optimize the other two.

FIGURE 1-1 • Market leadership triangle.