Six Sigma for Small Business

It is not surprising that some people may perceive Six Sigma as being only for large corporations. Major corporations such as Allied Signal, Black & Decker, Dow Chemical, Dupont, Federal Express, General Electric, Johnson and Johnson, Kodak, Motorola, Sony, and Toshiba have all rolled out Six Sigma efforts and achieved outstanding results. Yet, it is incorrect to think that Six Sigma process improvement results can only be achieved by huge organizations. Small businesses can also succeed in implementing Six Sigma and reap the process improvement benefits that Six Sigma provides.

Certainly, there are factors that can be disadvantageous for implementing Six Sigma in a small business rather than a large business, such as lack of resources and expertise in change initiatives. However, there are also characteristics inherent in small businesses that can speed up the effective implementation of Six Sigma more than in large businesses, such as flexible process flows, a shorter decision-making chain, and higher visibility of senior management.

Six Sigma can work in any size business because the nature of Six Sigma is dependent upon characteristics inherent to any business, not on the size of a business. Six Sigma MAIC (measure, analyze, improve, and control) disciplines work no matter the size of the organization or even the size of the Six Sigma project.

Small businesses do have constraints that limit their ability to initiate a large scale Six Sigma implementation. However, there are ways to overcome these limitations. Small businesses don't have large reserves of excess cash to earmark for the massive training programs employed by the large corporations in implementing their Six Sigma programs. Small businesses generally can't afford to have full-time Master Black Belts on staff and may not have the personnel with the skills and expertise to step into the role of Black Belts without extensive training. A certified Six Sigma consultant can act as your Black Belt for the initial projects until you have generated sufficient savings to be able to provide some of those savings for training your own people. Training happens at a slower scale for smaller companies but it still happens. Financially, savings realized from the first set of projects usually justifies the entire cost of the Six Sigma training.

Once some members of the organization have been trained as Green Belts, Six Sigma projects proceed with Green Belts executing Six Sigma processes. Incrementally, Green Belts are developed into Black Belts and new Green Belts are trained. Using a more gradual training approach addresses many of the constraints of smaller companies and allows them to implement Six Sigma at a pace a small business can more easily manage.

There is a benefit to implementing Six Sigma in a smaller business. Because of the size of a small business, the financial results and cultural transformation that stem from Six Sigma will propagate more quickly through a smaller organization. Focusing the Six Sigma tools at virtually any properly scoped project will drive savings to your bottom line and achieve breakthrough change in your organization.

Peter Peterka is the Principal Six Sigma Consultant in practice areas of DMAIC and DFSS. Peter has over 15 years experience in including implementation of Six Sigma for small business with a variety of organizations. For additional information please contact Peter Peterka at Six Sigma us.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How Mastering 5 Essential Money Making Ideas Can Lead Your Business to Longterm Cashflow

Essentially there are 5 tremendously powerful methods to make money... Read More

Top 7 Small Business Resources for 2005

If you want to start a business in 2005, and... Read More

Why The Carwash Industry is Stagnant; What You Can Do to Change Your Field

Many years ago, I had warned the carwash industry of... Read More

Pressure Washing Market Niche

Those who are in the pressure washer business should not... Read More

Franchise Buyers from Hell

I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More

Blowing Your Own Horn ? A Key Marketing Strategy for Small Business

-- Building Credibility Through Success Stories --Successful solo entrepreneurs spend... Read More

Small Businesses You Can Start in Automotive

There are many choices when thinking about a small business... Read More

But Weve Always Done It This Way

Sacred cows take a long time to die. We get... Read More

Don?t Wait for the Perfect Plan

1. Don't Spend Too Much Time PlanningWhen you are entering... Read More

Boston Market; Mobile Auto Detailing

Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Joining a Professional Association

I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More

Retail Customer Opportunities for Pressure Washing Companies

Pressure washing companies must look for customers in the retail... Read More

Want to Grow Your Business? Make an Irresistible Offer

My clients and many of my readers are small and... Read More

Tracking Revenue For MORE Profits

The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More

Expanding Franchisee Advice

Franchisor expansion policies are not as simple as one might... Read More

Do You Make These 7 Deadly Cash Flow Mistakes?

Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important... Read More

Are You Ready to Own and Operate a Business?

How often has someone thought of starting a business based... Read More

Janitorial Cleaning Service: Getting Started

A janitorial cleaning service is one of the best businesses... Read More

Setting Up as an Electronic Repair Authorized Service Center

If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized... Read More

How to Write a Credit Policy for Your Business

The book, "Become the Squeaky Wheel," by New Hampshire author... Read More

Franchise Companies Come and Go

Each day we hear of companies entering the franchising industry.... Read More

Keeping your Business Alive

As long as you eat and breathe you will stay... Read More

Organizing Tips for Small Business Success

If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More

Small Business Strategies - Four Critical Success Factors

Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More

Mobile Detailing Expansion Considerations

Expanding your business requires you to take a good hard... Read More

Mobile Car and Truck Washing Vehicle Placement

To maximum potential profits and dollars in a mobile washing... Read More

Marketing Your Small Business with Success Stories

-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More

Small Business Marketing, According to Seinfeld

What could Seinfeld possibly have to do with marketing a... Read More

Creative Marketing Tips: Simple Things You Can Use In Your Business To Attract More Clients

The single most important activity you can do in your... Read More

Sexual Harassment - Its just not on!

Sexual Harassment is a disturbing part of employment life in... Read More

How to Start a Pet Transportation Business

Pet Transportation Services are needed as the number of pets... Read More

How to Get Started As A Government Contractor

Becoming a contractor or sub-contractor for the U.S. government can... Read More

Self Serve Car Washes in the United States

In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More