Since you are reading this article you have at least heard of Sig Sigma. For some, it may sound like a fraternity, but it is a business philosophy for success. You may already have a business philosophy that is driving your bottom line, but if you aren't as successful as you want to be, Six Sigma may be able to help.
When you read about this concept you will find a variety of definitions from the very technical to the very short. The idea is to find a definition that helps you embrace the whole concept. One of the reasons businesses are turning to Six Sigma is because it is a flexible system; it can help you improve business leadership and performance. You can use it with managers and with all employees.
Many businesses like Six Sigma because it builds on business philosophies and management ideas they already have studied, but it doesn't' stop at just thinking about management; it moves people into action. It helps you build new structures for your business to help you sustain success.
Although it may sound like the next trend or "miracle" in business, you will find that it is more about moving your business forward. If you are looking for better ways to serve your customers, Six Sigma can help you examine the process and design marketing and other strategies to create balance in the organization.
In a sense, Six Sigma is a new concept but it is also based on common management principles. The foundation of Six Sigma is six themes that help management move forward. These themes are broken down so that each person in an organization can collaborate and focus to constantly move toward improvement.
You may be asking yourself what this has to do with leadership and whether Six Sigma will do the job for you. Your organization will undoubtedly have many uses for Six Sigma and it is a powerful program. However, a challenge may come to you when you want to implement it because the program only works if everyone in the organization is willing to actually do what is required. So, a good idea is to get organized and develop your people to head the process.
There are several key ways that you can make sure Six Sigma gets implemented well and it starts with your top leaders. Because this is a business concept it is very important to help your organization find a reason to use the process. Your managers must take the time to pull together an idea of why your business needs Six Sigma. A business that has a clear vision of why they need this particular process will get other on board easier. This is also something that everyone, including your top manager, must be ready to do.
When you use Six Sigma the organization is going to be in the midst of change constantly and change isn't always easy. A good idea to get everyone focused, is to use a marketing plan that encompasses the vision. Many organizations will include a slogan that is intended to move you forward that all your people can use. This can get things started and have everyone on a positive level. It can also be seen as an inspiring message.
Once you get everyone ready to embark upon the journey of Six Sigma it's time to assign various roles. If you use the process it will tell you exactly what to do in developing these roles and who should be a part of the decision making. Once these roles and responsibilities are in place then you are ready to start the process. How you start the process will depend on how much time you want to put into the implementation.
Although many businesses are easier to change in crisis, this may not be the right time to start Six Sigma. Instead, if you want to use this program effectively, it is best to take a look at your customers and focus on their needs. When you are working in this mode, it will automatically create change.
Six Sigma can be implemented on your own or through the use of a consultant. Many businesses use consultants that are skilled in this area because it takes away the learning curve for implementation. Now, you just have to get started.
The Kano model reflects different customer satisfaction levels in varied scenarios, such as when only the basic needs of customers are met, when some extra features or services are provided within reasonable costs and when something is offered that is well beyond the imagination or expectations of the customer.
In the first scenario, the Kano model implies that the customer will adopt a neutral attitude towards the product or service. This means that customers are unlikely to become regular customers and can easily switch to any other brand that satisfies the same needs. In the second scenario, the Kano model implies that customers may become loyal to a certain extent but the chances of customers shifting to other available brands cannot be completely denied. In the third scenario, the Kano model implies that customer satisfaction levels are at their highest and it is highly unlikely that they will opt for other brands in the near future until and unless there is a drastic change in the quality and consistency of the product or service that they are currently using.
Importance Of The Kano Model
Using the Kano model as a basis for assessing the effectiveness of a product or service has become quite commonplace, especially by Six Sigma teams that are entrusted with the responsibility of making the best quality products or services available to customers at reasonable rates. Doing a Kano analysis has now become a necessity for most businesses because competition has increased manifold in today's globalized world where customers have become more demanding and more critical of the quality and prices offered to them.
Businesses can no longer hope to survive for long just by satisfying the basic needs of customers; and as such, they need to be constantly on their toes for making newer products and services available to customers that not only satisfy their basic needs but also exceed their expectations. By offering something that is much more than what the customers expect, businesses can hope to gain the competitive edge that is necessary for the long-term success of any business enterprise.
Use Of The Kano Model
Six Sigma teams use the Kano model for making changes to an existing product or service or designing and developing a new product or service from scratch. For making changes in an existing product or service, Six Sigma professionals first analyze the efficacy of the product or service in terms of customer satisfaction levels. After this powerful simulation tools are used for studying the likely effects that the changes will have on customer satisfaction levels.
Changes that offer maximum benefits are then selected and implemented using standard Six Sigma tools and techniques. If the objective is to develop a completely new product or service, Six Sigma professionals use advanced simulation tools that indicate the likely effects of the suggested product features with the help of Kano graph models.
The Kano model is an effective Six Sigma tool, but it has its limitations. It can only be used for analyzing the effects and certainly not for suggesting new product features, something that is quite difficult to achieve. The limitations, however, have not affected the use of the Kano model, as its advantages are far greater than its limitations.
Both Robert D. Thomson & Tony Jacowski are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Robert D. Thomson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dog Care, Real Estate and Dental Practice. Peter Peterka is the Principal Consultant in practice areas of DMAIC and DFSS. Peter has eleven years of experience performing as a Master Black Belt, and has over 15 years experience in industry as an improvement specialist and engineer working with nume. Robert D. Thomson's top article generates over 2240000 views. to your Favourites.
Tony Jacowski has sinced written about articles on various topics from University, Six Sigma and Information Technology. Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online and certification classes for lean six sigm. Tony Jacowski's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.