Fundamentally Lean Six Sigma is a system to address strategic gaps, by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of existing processes, and developing new products, processes and services, using defined methodologies and tools. Lean Sigma's impressive results in organisations such as Motorola, GE and Toyota are often quoted as evidence of the benefits that can be achieved by applying the methods and tools to business problems.
However, this is not the end of the story. If we examine the Motorola story, the GE story, the Toyota story or many others that have achieved success using Lean and Six Sigma methods it becomes clear that the methods and tools alone are not the reason for the success of these initiatives. In each case there has been a strong leader, who had an unshakeable belief in the direction the organisation needed to go, and the need for excellence, continuous and never ending improvement has been embedded in the culture of the organisation.
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