Page 45 - Lean six sigma demystified

24 Lean Six Sigma DemystifieD

These breakthrough improvements or process innovations can rarely be
planned, but come about as a result of focused improvement. Invariably,
this process of personal and professional evolution involves four key
steps.
1. Focus on one key problem, skill, or area of your business life at a time.
2. Improve significantly in that area.
3. Sustain the improvement through repetition and practice until it becomes
an unconscious habit. Measure and monitor to ensure that you sustain the
new, higher level of performance.
4. Honor your progress through simple rewards. Then review what you’ve
learned and refocus on another area for improvement.

This simple process is the secret of mastering every aspect of your business.
You won’t do it overnight, but you will over time!

Focus

One arrow does not bring down two birds.
—Turkish proverb

Who begins too much accomplishes little.
—German proverb

Most people are unclear about what they actually want from their business.
This lack of clarity translates into confusion about what to do and when to
do it.

The secret of success is to avoid trying to do everything and instead focus on
the most important, highest-leverage things to improve. Far too many people
“major in minor things” as Zig Ziglar would say.

The 4-50 Rule

Pareto’s 80/20 rule states that 20% of what you do will produce over 80%
of the results. In working with people and businesses, I have discovered a
refinement of this rule that I call the 4/50 rule: 4% of what you do will
create over 50% of your results. This is where you should spend your time.
You don’t have to improve everything in your business, just a few key
things that really matter.