Why Continuous Improvement Fails (WTF!)

Why They Fail! Podcast, Episode #1

Welcome to the very first episode of “WTF!” – Why They Fail! Join host Kevin Clay, a seasoned Master Black Belt and President of Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., as he pulls back the curtain on the frustrating reality: over 90% of Continuous Improvement (CI) efforts ultimately fail.

Forget motivational fluff. This podcast dives headfirst into the real, unfiltered reasons behind these failures, dissecting the short-sighted decisions, leadership missteps, and organizational shortcomings that sabotage even the most well-intentioned initiatives. Based on insights from Kevin’s book, “Why They Fail,” this introductory episode sets the stage by exploring:

✅ Why “common sense isn’t common” in the world of CI.
✅ Examples of failures rooted in leadership agendas and a lack of fundamental understanding.
✅ The dangers of the “quick fix” mentality and the lack of stomach for necessary sacrifice.
✅ A look ahead at future episodes dissecting specific pitfalls like “Fad Diet” CI, the “Paper Belt” phenomenon, the cost of Six Sigma blind spots, and the trap of being “One-Hit Wonders.”

If you’re tired of seeing CI projects fizzle out, expensive training yield no results, and leadership not truly walking the walk, you’re in the right place. This episode is a must-listen to understand the core problems and get a glimpse of the keys to building phenomenal, sustainable change. Don’t miss learning how to avoid becoming another statistic!

Find links in the show notes for a FREE copy of Kevin’s book “Why They Fail” and to learn more about Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc.’s training options.

Tune in, buckle up, and let’s get real about why they fail, so you can learn how to succeed!

 Why They Fail, Key Takeaways

➡️ A vast majority of continuous improvement efforts fail or are abandoned quickly.
➡️ Ignoring common sense and basic logic is a major factor in CI failure.
➡️ Leadership agendas, rather than data, often drive project selection, which is a sign of impending failure.
➡️ Assigning individuals without the proper experience (like Yellow Belts to Master Black Belt projects or new Green Belts to lead deployments) leads to failure.
➡️ Many organizations look for a “quick fix” and lack the discipline for long-term sustainability in their CI efforts.
➡️ Building a solid foundation is crucial for a sustainable continuous improvement culture, rather than just adopting methodologies superficially

A Word from our Sponsor

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. They have transformed over 100 organizations in 52 countries and achieved $100M USD in savings through Lean Six Sigma, certifying over 4000 practitioners. Their partners include Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dropbox, and Mercy Health, among others.

Key Certification Training we provide:

 Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-green-belt/)
 Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-black-belt/)
 Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-yellow-belt/)