I’m surprised how quickly we blame a methodology for a business’s lack of performance. We’re always looking for some silver bullet to cure all ills. In contrast, Six Sigma integrates many methodologies to achieve sustained profitable results. When Motorola practiced Six Sigma under the leadership of Bob Galvin and George Fisher in the late 1980s, Six Sigma produced significant profit and innovative products for rapid growth, and the cell phone industry was launched.

At Motorola, Six Sigma was used to accelerate improvement to keep up with the customers’ ever-changing requirements. The intent of Six Sigma was lost when it spread from Motorola to other companies. Today Six Sigma is perceived to be a rote statistical method to reduce variation in manufacturing.

Using his tactics and leadership style, Jack Welch used Six Sigma as an anchor to implement his agenda, and he achieved his business objectives. His executive team dispersed around the country, imposed rote Six Sigma, and achieved less glamorous results. Surprise!

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