The Benefits Of Six Sigma For A Small Business

By Craig Calvin

Six Sigma can benefit any business, whether it is a small business, or a large corporation. Based on the expected return for the project, a Six Sigma Project may be a worth while effort, no matter what size your company is. But how can you know if your small business should be using Six Sigma? Here are some things you may want to consider before starting a Six Sigma Project.

-Determine the problem. How cost-inhibitive is it? Can you afford the process improvement methods of Six Sigma Training and/or outsourcing? -Analyze solutions. If there is a capable solution to reduce defects and improve a process without the use of Six Sigma, you can give it a shot. -Focus on the time and effort involved. If Six Sigma isn't right, maybe you could check into Lean Six Sigma. It might offer the resources you need on a quicker and more efficient scale.

So, can small businesses benefit from Six Sigma Projects? Yes, they can, but only with the right planning, preparation, and execution. Wait a minute, though. This doesn't only apply to small businesses. The principles of Six Sigma and how to effectively use it can apply to any business of any size, regardless of how big or little the problem might be. In the end, if it is affecting profits or customer satisfaction, it's always a big problem even when it is minor.

Using the information above, you can determine whether you're in a good place to take on Six Sigma Projects or not. If you are, then feel free to start training, planning, and gathering your resources to get your project underway. If you don't think that you're ready for Six Sigma Projects, consider trying out a Lean process first to see how it can benefit you. Many times, smaller organizations with fewer resources can find more benefits from the Lean Process because it is designed to be faster and more cost-effective than a traditional Six Sigma Process.

Smaller business usually don't have to deal with some of the personal issues that plague larger corporations. In larger corporations there is usually a greater resistance to change, and some employees may do anything they can to prevent a Six Sigma Project from being successful, because they have job security issues. Smaller businesses normally don't have these issues since there are less employees, and they are typically more committed to the success of the business. Six Sigma Projects can be very beneficial for small businesses, just as beneficial as they are to large businesses, as long as they are planned and executed properly. - 32179

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