Why They Fail!, Episode #2 – Is Your CI Just a “Fad Diet”?

Welcome to “Why They Fail,” the podcast that meticulously examines the reasons behind continuous improvement failures and offers a blueprint for lasting success! In this episode, titled “Is Your Continuous Improvement Program Just a “Fad Diet” for Your Business?“your host, Kevin Clay, a seasoned Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, delves into why so many continuous improvement efforts become mere “fad diets” for businesses rather than fostering sustainable change. We expose the harsh realities of leadership agendas and short-sighted decisions that frequently derail Continuous Improvement projects, leading to significant continuous improvement failures.

Think about personal struggles with weight loss and how often business initiatives mirror them. Just as a treadmill can become a high-tech clothes hanger, many continuous improvement programs promise instant results but ultimately fail because they don’t address fundamental shifts in organizational habits. This isn’t just an anecdotal observation; Pat Bergin, President of Aerofil Technology, notes that 96% of companies undertaking continuous improvement either fail or quit within 18 months. This staggering statistic underscores a critical point: without changing fundamental organizational habits, your continuous improvement program is indeed just another fad diet.

We explore two common “quick fix” mentalities that doom continuous improvement initiatives. The “Lone Ranger” approach, where a single employee or small group is tasked with “saving the world” of processes, often leads to turf wars, sub-optimization, and projects that are too broad in scope. This sets up dedicated individuals for failure, even with valuable tools, if they lack proper support, mentorship, and infrastructure.

Another pitfall is “when you expect the plumber to build the house”. This refers to tasking inexperienced Green or Black Belts with leading an entire Lean Six Sigma deployment, akin to asking a plumber to construct a house. Such scenarios often result in projects that are prolonged, over budget, and ultimately abandoned due to a lack of expected ROI.

Moreover, continuous improvement can become leadership’s “new toy,” with arbitrary projects chosen based on personal agendas rather than data-driven analysis and impact on key performance indicators (KPIs). These misdirected efforts inevitably lead to continuous improvement failures and a blame game, where the methodology or the belt takes the fall instead of the true culprit: leadership’s misuse of the initiative.

The solution is not a quick fix, but a strategic and sustained effort to build a strong foundation. This requires avoiding the “quick fix” mentality and instead focusing on a fundamental “shift” in how your company operates.

Key Takeaways from this Podcast:

Avoid the “quick fix” mentality in continuous improvement.

Build a strong foundation for sustainable CI efforts.

Prioritize projects based on concrete KPIs, not arbitrary pain points.

Ensure formal leadership buy-in and education on their roles.

Empower all employees, from operators to executives, to contribute to solutions.

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 Six Sigma certification training, accredited by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) as an Authorized Training Organization. Th...

• (00:00:01) - Why They Fail
• (00:00:35) - Why They Fail
• (00:01:33) - Is Continuous Improvement Just a Fad Diet for Your Business?
• (00:03:00) - 3 Common Trap's That Doom Continuous Improvement Initiatives
• (00:12:01) - Six Sigma: Why They Fail and How to Turn Things Around
• (00:13:19) - Why They Fail, and the Simple Key to Success
• (00:15:22) - Why They Fail