A
Atul Khandekar said:
What about training business? My observation here is that even though consulting business is in low gear, there is a good market / money for focused training programs on topics such as FMEA, SPC, GD&T, MSA etc.
Also, do we have any Six Sigma Consultants on board? What's the scene like in 6S Consulting?
Also, do we have any Six Sigma Consultants on board? What's the scene like in 6S Consulting?
When working at GE in the mid 1970s, for a few years, I deployed them according to the situation confronting me. Jack Welch who as a high profile CEO succeeded in getting top executive attention to the "Six sigma" idea was then in charge of another division (Plastics). But, there was no regular and effective cross fertilization between GE divisions back then.
"6S" consulting requires a consummate understanding of many business tools. The risk is that it will eventually fall into disrepute as the unscrupulous, the inexperienced, the "get rich quick" crowd rush to what they perceive as a Yukon. We have had it before in Q Programs, Q Circles, Management Audits, Benchmarking, Reengineering etc. Then everyone awaits a new bottle and it starts all over again.
Yawn!
But, yes, there are certainly 6S people in the Cove - but they are probably honestly labelled: Business Improvement Consultants. Good ones know all of the 6S tools peddled by various consultancies - especially the well known ones who always seem to be able to instantly offer courses on whatever is the new "buzz" or "bottle" - and a lot more besides.

I say any penny you pay a consultant is too much! J/K