Tired of watching continuous improvement efforts crash and burn? So are we. "Why They Fail" dives headfirst into the brutal truth behind failed Lean Six Sigma deployments, exposing the myths, the mistakes, and the outright absurdities that plague organizations worldwide. Forget the sugar-coated success stories—we're here to dissect the disasters, from executives who think training is optional to lone Green Belts drowning in unrealistic expectations. But it's not all doom and gloom. We'll also reveal the surprisingly simple key to unlocking sustainable success: ditching the quick fixes and building a rock-solid foundation. Buckle up, because this podcast is a no-holds-barred, reality check that will transform the way you think about continuous improvement.
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Tired of watching continuous improvement efforts crash and burn? So are we. "Why They Fail" dives headfirst into the brutal truth behind failed Lean Six Sigma deployments, exposing the myths, the mistakes, and the outright absurdities that plague organizations worldwide. Forget the sugar-coated success stories—we're here to dissect the disasters, from executives who think training is optional to lone Green Belts drowning in unrealistic expectations. But it's not all doom and gloom. We'll also reveal the surprisingly simple key to unlocking sustainable success: ditching the quick fixes and building a rock-solid foundation. Buckle up, because this podcast is a no-holds-barred, reality check that will transform the way you think about continuous improvement.
Continuous Improvement at Danone: The Shotgun Approach
Why They Fail ... and the Simple Key to Success!
21 minutes 53 seconds
2 weeks ago
Continuous Improvement at Danone: The Shotgun Approach
Continuous Improvement at Danone: The Shotgun Approach
Welcome to our latest episode! We dive into Continuous Improvement at Danone, a global leader that embeds operational excellence into its culture. In this episode, I talk with Cici Haines, Danone’s Continuous Improvement Manager, who shares insights from her 20-year journey. We explore their “shotgun approach.” Hundreds of employees tackle both big and small problems.
This conversation centers on a key debate. Should you focus only on KPI-driving projects, or invest in culture-building quick wins? Danone’s method boosts morale and work-life balance. However, it also raises questions about focus, resource allocation, and sub-optimization risks.
Key Takeaways from this Podcast:
The shotgun approach empowers all employees, especially Yellow Belts, to solve problems within their influence.
Moreover, leadership and ambassadors filter and prioritize projects to align with team objectives.
There’s a constant balance between KPI-driven initiatives and quick wins that improve daily work life.
A structured system of virtual Kaizen boards and regular meetings tracks progress and shares successes.
True continuous improvement demands constant adaptation and re-engagement in a changing environment.
Understanding the Approach to Continuous Improvement at Danone
Danone believes employees closest to a process improve it best. Rather than top-down, Danone’s infrastructure welcomes ideas from everyone. Additionally, ambassadors and team leaders champion small projects to ensure needed support. They use virtual Kaizen boards to track ideas from definition through control, creating a transparent system.
This strategy relies on an army of trained Yellow Belts equipped with tools for quick wins. A perfect example: a project reduced cost-center creation from 11.5 days to just 5.25 days, smashing their goal!
The Great Debate: Strategic Projects vs. Cultural Wins
Quick wins boost morale, yet they pose a challenge. As my book explains, if you don’t prioritize projects by KPI impact, you may improve non-critical steps. Consequently, you risk sub-optimization. Cici explains that while some projects target cash collection and other KPIs, others focus on employee well-being. For an accounting team closing books late, saving two hours a month is a massive win that builds CI buy-in. Department leaders act as the first line of defense, ensuring teams work on the right projects.
Free Copy of my book "Why they Fail … and the Simple Key to Success"
Are you trying to build a continuous improvement culture that lasts? My book uncovers why over 90% of CI initiatives fail within 18 months and provides a simple 7-step roadmap for sustainable success. It covers failure scenarios, from lack of executive buy-in to treating CI as a “new toy.” If this episode’s challenges resonate, download your free PDF copy here: https://sixsigmadsi.com/product/why-they-fail-free-copy/
A Word from our Sponsor, Six Sigma Development Solutions.
This episode of "Why They Fail" is brought to you by Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., providing “Operational Excellence” Around the Globe!
Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc. offers comprehensive Lean...
Why They Fail ... and the Simple Key to Success!
Tired of watching continuous improvement efforts crash and burn? So are we. "Why They Fail" dives headfirst into the brutal truth behind failed Lean Six Sigma deployments, exposing the myths, the mistakes, and the outright absurdities that plague organizations worldwide. Forget the sugar-coated success stories—we're here to dissect the disasters, from executives who think training is optional to lone Green Belts drowning in unrealistic expectations. But it's not all doom and gloom. We'll also reveal the surprisingly simple key to unlocking sustainable success: ditching the quick fixes and building a rock-solid foundation. Buckle up, because this podcast is a no-holds-barred, reality check that will transform the way you think about continuous improvement.
