MASTERING MANAGEMENTBusiness Owners: Five Steps
To A Better Business DIAMOND BAR, CA (May 31, 2006) - Minimizing waste, pushing inventory, increasing efficiency and increasing customer satisfaction are objectives that all businesses seek to accomplish, but what are some of the best ways to accomplish those tasks? One tactic that many businesses are already using is a process known as "Six Sigma": a set of techniques that allows one to measure and improve business efficiency. But how is this done? Six Sigma includes a performance-improvement framework known as DMAIC, or define, measure, analyze, improve and control. In this framework, the following steps are taken:
1. Define all improvement activity goals, at all levels throughout the organization.
2. Measure the existing system, and establish valid and reliable metrics to monitor progress toward the goals of Step 1.
3. Analyze the system. Identify any means by which the gap between the current performance of the system or process and the desired goal can be eliminated.
4. Improve the system. Use planning and management tools to implement ways of doing things faster, better, safer or cheaper.
5. Control the newly implemented system. The improved system can be institutionalized by modifying incentives, policies, procedures, operating instructions and other management systems. Are you interested in learning more about the DMAIC process and Six Sigma in general? The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is offering a free webinar to SEMA members that covers the basics of Six Sigma and how business owners can use it to their advantage. Led by Bob Lozano, the special two-part webinar will be held on Thursday, July 20 and 27, 10 a.m. (Pacific Time). More information and details is available online at
www.sema.org/webinars or by e-mailing
[email protected].
(Source: SEMA) 
