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2011 ASA Deming Lecture by Roger Hoerl – Need Any Country be Poor?

Deming Institute

Maybe free markets, maybe capitalism, maybe the opportunity to earn a living through business, maybe that is part of the solution. And he discusses six sigma (which certainly has issues) but as I have written before if you want to learn what value six sigma offers listen to what Roger (and others such as Ron Snee, Gerry Hahn…) say.

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Balancing Push and Pull Approaches to Improvement

Harvard Business Review

These mandated-from-above programs include Lean Six Sigma initiatives with experts (" Belts ") in command, big IT implementations, and reengineering of major end-to-end processes. An executive in the company's finance operations adopted a Six Sigma belt-driven approach to reduce costs in the company's global shared service centers.

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Put HR Skills on Your Performance Improvement Team

Harvard Business Review

My team would have people with deep functional knowledge and skills (strategy, sales, marketing, finance, and information technology) to align surrounding processes. If you do Six Sigma in isolation, the work force doesn't have time to implement the changes.".

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How GE Stays Young

Harvard Business Review

Under CEO Jack Welch in the 1980s and 1990s, they adopted operational efficiency approaches (“ Workout ,” “Six Sigma,” and “Lean”) that reinforced their success and that many companies emulated. Marketing plays a catalyst role, providing growth funding. Partnering: getting ideas from start-ups.

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Zero-Based Budgeting Is Not a Wonder Diet for Companies

Harvard Business Review

ZBB’s resurgence is further fueled by the uncertain markets hindering many companies’ efforts to attract fresh capital, as we see venture capital and private equity funds increasingly pushing ZBB on their portfolio companies, in the hope of securing a more rapid and profitable exit on their investments.

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Avoiding Catastrophic Failures in Process Improvement

Harvard Business Review

A large division of this company had recognized the need to dramatically change its business model to survive and succeed in a changing market. Engage the finance organization. Finance was on board at the company in our story. The system must be reviewed and validated by finance.

Process 15
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What Social Entrepreneurs Can Teach Your Company's Future Leaders

Harvard Business Review

This striking gap signals an opportunity for companies: Secure a competitive advantage by building your employees' ability to succeed in the increasingly complicated labyrinths of today's — and tomorrow's — markets. In our experience, social entrepreneurs can be extraordinary role models in this regard.