Six Sigma - Big Benefits

Six Sigma was launched in 1986 as a statistically based method of reducing variation in electronic manufacturing processes at Motorola Inc. It was designed as an in-house initiative.

Today – nearly 30 years later – Six Sigma is used as an all-encompassing business performance methodology in diverse organizations (including mine) throughout the world.

So what is Six Sigma and what are the benefits?

At its most basic level, Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects, which are defined in this case as anything outside of customer specifications. This measurement-based strategy focuses on process improvement and quality control.

Corporations like Motorola and General Electric put Six Sigma “on the map” – and their success stories have been enough to convince countless other companies to implement the program as well. But over the years, the primary selling point has largely revolved around the organizational benefits businesses would realize from an internal standpoint.

For example, organizations that use the Six Sigma methodology typically have reduced waste. Increased profits. Enhanced shareholder value. Streamlined processes. Heightened employee satisfaction. Diminished costs.

I know what you’re thinking. What’s the problem, right?

Absolutely nothing. I am a CEO myself and in that capacity, my job is to steer the ship toward operational efficiencies and record-breaking profits.

But as the leader of an executive recruiting firm, I can’t help but think that we are in the same boat as many other service-based industries. It’s not enough to just work smart and produce results for our own company. We have a responsibility to deliver that level of excellence to our clients as well so that those realized benefits positively impact their processes and bottom lines also.

And Six Sigma helps us do that.

For starters, Six Sigma is customer driven and client centric by its very nature. The methodology’s fundamental objective is to eliminate anything not acceptable to the end customer. So if our recruiters can place the highest caliber of qualified candidates in positions to exceed our clients’ expectations every time, it’s a win-win. Sure, we may gain customer loyalty and repeat business. But our clients benefit from finding the perfect employee to move their company forward. And guess what? That too can lead to less waste, increased profits, streamlined processes and so on for the client.

Plus, if Six Sigma helps our recruiting firm work more efficiently with reduced cycle time, we can deliver faster and more cost-effective results to our client.

Finally, the Six Sigma approach addresses the entire process, not just the final outcome. So we can be more proactive and determine how improvements can be made even before defects are found – once again saving our clients time and money.

Benefits abound for Six Sigma based organizations, as well as those organizations they serve. No matter what industry you’re in, it would be worth your while to check into this strategic methodology. You and your clients will be stronger for it.

Jeff Chaponick

CEO, MAC Executive Recruiters