Implementing Six Sigma Methodologies Can Help Small Auto Manufacturers Grow Large

By Grant Webb

With the wild ride of the financial markets in recent years, the automotive industry has taken its share of blows, yet despite the chaos of turbulent times, many companies are persevering, growing, and reaching into new markets. In the automotive industry the pressure to get a concept into production and out to consumers is extreme. For professionals looking to get in on a little of the success of the big guns, consider the role of Six Sigma training in your auto company’s repertoire for growth and long term viability.

Six Sigma in the Automotive Industry – A Case Study for Success
As many professionals with Six Sigma certification can tell you, Six Sigma training provides a template for overhauling the process of doing business in a cohesive way that reduces waste, streamlines resources, and produces changes that are data driven, profitable, and sustainable. In recent years, Chrysler’s “Imported from Detroit” campaign underscores the success of Six Sigma strategies that when applied with innovation, consistency and great skill can expedite growth, improve customer confidence, and increase product marketability.

In their 2010 sustainability report, Chrysler CEO’s indicated that Six Sigma strategies helped them to focus “on understanding the voice of the customer and driving product performance with functional robustness. It serves as the foundation for developing vehicles that delight our customers and improve their loyalty by enhancing quality, reliability and durability.”

Application to Small Automotive Companies

In its purest form, Six Sigma certification provides the standardized language and tools to identify data indicators that support aggressive goals; at the same time Six Sigma training teaches leaders how to measure, evaluate, and respond to the data; and lastly, the Six Sigma framework provides a template to drive change that is adaptable and sustainable. Looking at case studies of companies like Chrysler which have adapted Six Sigma strategies with success provides examples for smaller companies with fewer resources. More and more consumers and business stakeholders are recognizing Six Sigma as synonymous with business success. This may be one of the reasons why Chrysler chose to mention it to customers in its 2011 Dodge Charger marketing literature. Businesses big and small know that Six Sigma certification can help a company build client trust and brand confidence.

For professionals looking to grow a smaller business into a larger one, Six Sigma certification through a nationally ranked and fully accredited online program can offer a world-wide level of confidence, reputation, and success within a flexible learning environment custom built for today’s working professional. To compete with industry leaders, smaller businesses need to speak the same language and utilize business strategies that not only make sense, but are also recognized as best practice protocol across the industry.

Six Sigma training not only offers the skills and knowledge necessary for staying fully engaged in the race for 21st century business growth, but also affords professionals the opportunity to network with an elite group of leaders across industries whose ideas in business are driving economic growth and industry standards. You don’t want to be sitting on the side lines with the competition charging by you – Six Sigma certification leads to new opportunities for companies and their leaders who engage innovatively with the process and are willing to devote the time and resources into making change sustainable.

Conclusion

In today’s cut throat global marketplace, leaders need to be able to identify the best ways to collect the data that will bring positive momentum toward aggressive goals and lasting change. Change itself needs to be responsive and resilient, not only to marketplace indicators, but also consumer demands. In this age of instant social media reports and international brand chatter, it is vital that small companies employ strategies like Six Sigma which is recognized by many industry leaders worldwide as the gold standard for best practice business growth strategies, especially in a challenging economy.

As a Six Sigma certified professional, you will exhibit the strong commitment to professional and company growth that hiring professionals are looking for in today’s competitive marketplace. There are as many interpretations of Six Sigma strategies as there are innovative leaders heading Fortune 500 companies. To be innovative means that you have committed to the discipline of acquiring a standardized body of knowledge that could take you on the path of gaining the competitive advantage enjoyed by today’s most elite business leaders industry wide. If you feel your career is idling on the side lines, Six Sigma certification might be just what you need to kick up your performance into overdrive.