Six Sigma Makes a Comeback - Businessweek

Six Sigma Makes a Comeback - BusinessWeek

Management & Leadership September 10, 2009, 5:00PM EST

Six Sigma Makes a Comeback

With the outlook for sales growth dim, everyone from Target to Cadbury to Merck is turning to Six Sigma to squeeze out more savings

By Brian Burnsed and Emily Thornton

Here's one more reason why the world may face a jobless recovery: Six Sigma. In an attempt to boost earnings without putting more people on the payroll, companies are embracing the controversial data-driven system that aims to radically reduce production defects and improve processes in everything from marketing to manufacturing. Companies as varied as drug giant Merck (MRK), British confectioner Cadbury, (CBY) and doughnut maker Dunkin' Brands are increasingly turning to Six Sigma to lift their bottom lines. Capital One (COF) says it has launched a Six Sigma initiative to "drive continuous improvement" in its operations, while Pfizer (PFE) this year embarked on 85 Six Sigma projects to lower the cost of delivering medicines to patients in its pharmaceutical sciences division. "We're applying Lean

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Six Sigma Makes a Comeback - BusinessWeek

Six Sigma across the whole R&D process," says Pfizer Senior VicePresident Annette Doherty. (Lean Six Sigma includes elements of lean manufacturing techniques.) Even the Chicago law firm Seyfarth Shaw has become a Six Sigma devotee, with Managing Partner J. Stephen Poor calling it "a very powerful tool" in making client meetings more productive. Such interest speaks to the level of anxiety permeating the corporate landscape. Six Sigma expert Anand Sharma, CEO of TBM Consulting Group, says that "in the last 90 days we have had 50% more inquiries and proposals out than ever before." Ads seeking Six Sigma experts and "black belts" increased to 7,155 in August from 6,585 in June, according to job site aggregator Indeed.com....