Why They Fail ... and the Simple Key to Success!
Tired of watching continuous improvement efforts crash and burn? So are we. "Why They Fail" dives headfirst into the brutal truth behind failed Lean Six Sigma deployments, exposing the myths, the mistakes, and the outright absurdities that plague organizations worldwide. Forget the sugar-coated success stories—we're here to dissect the disasters, from executives who think training is optional to lone Green Belts drowning in unrealistic expectations. But it's not all doom and gloom. We'll also reveal the surprisingly simple key to unlocking sustainable success: ditching the quick fixes and building a rock-solid foundation. Buckle up, because this podcast is a no-holds-barred, reality check that will transform the way you think about continuous improvement.
Episodes
Fear and Loathing: The Danger of Numerical Goals
In this episode of the Why They Fail Podcast, we take on one of the biggest traps in modern management: the obsession with numerical goals. Dr. W. Edwards Deming warned against this decades ago in his famous Point 11, which calls for the elimination of management by objectives. Today...
How Lean Six Sigma Transformed a City Govt.
Can Lean Six Sigma principles truly revolutionize municipal operations? This episode delves into the remarkable success story of Fort Wayne, Indiana, exploring how continuous improvement in city government led to over $30 million in savings and drastically improved public services. Join ...
Continuous Improvement at Danone: The Shotgun Approach
Welcome to our latest episode! We dive into Continuous Improvement at Danone, a global leader that embeds operational excellence into its culture. In this episode, I talk with Cici Haines, Danone’s Continuous Improvement Manager, who shares insights from her 20-year journey. W...
Shainin and Six Sigma: It All Comes Down to Leadership
Welcome to another episode of Why They Fail. In this episode, we explore the heart of every successful continuous improvement effort: leadership. Many companies invest in Lean Six Sigma or the Shainin Red X method, yet most fail to sustain progress. The reason is rarely the too...
Cracking the Code of a Continuous Improvement Culture
Building a lasting continuous improvement culture is one of the biggest challenges for any company. Studies show that more than 90% of these efforts fail or fade within 18 months. This happens not because of the tools but because teams misunderstand what it really takes to buil...
Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare: Lessons from Eddie Conklin
Welcome to the latest episode of Why They Fail podcast. In this episode, host Kevin Clay speaks with Eddie Conklin, a veteran of continuous improvement with over 40 years of experience in both manufacturing and healthcare. Eddie shares how early lessons from factory floors sh...
Shainin: The Problem-Solving Method You Haven't Heard Of
Welcome to the show notes for the "Why They Fail" podcast. In this episode, host Kevin Clay introduces a powerful and lesser-known precursor to Six Sigma. He sits down with Brian St. Pierre, an expert in Shainin Red X Problem Solving, to explore this unique methodology. You’ll ...
"Lip Service" Leadership in Six Sigma: Why CI Efforts Fail
Have you ever been part of a promising continuous improvement initiative that just... fizzled out? The energy was high, the goals were set, but somewhere along the way, it lost steam and failed to deliver results. The problem often isn't the methodology or the team; it's a d...
Army Six Sigma Black Belt Project Eliminates Waste
In this episode of Why They Fail, host Kevin Clay speaks with U.S. Army Officer Edriece Patterson about his Army Six Sigma Black Belt project. The discussion highlights how Lean Six Sigma methodologies solve complex non-manufacturing challenges inside a military environment.
Edr...
Stop 'Doing' Six Sigma (and Start Actually Fixing Things!)
Tired of watching continuous improvement efforts fall flat? In this powerful episode of "Why They Fail," host Kevin Clay sits down with the legendary six sigma pioneer Mike Carnell, who was there for its genesis at Motorola. If you feel like your company is just going throu...
Why They Fail!, Episode #6 - LEAN "Snake Oil", the LEAN Only Approach
Welcome back to "Why They Fail," the podcast that dissects the real reasons continuous improvement initiatives don't last. In this episode, host Kevin Clay tackles a pervasive and damaging trend he calls LEAN Snake Oil. Have you been told that LEAN is the one and...
Why They Fail!, Episode #5 - The "One-Hit Wonders"
Have you ever watched your company invest heavily in training Lean Six Sigma Green Belts, only to see their impact vanish after one project? In this episode, host Kevin Clay examines this costly “one-hit wonder” syndrome. He explains why organizations train these champions then acc...
Why They Fail!, Episode #4 - "Why Capability?..."
Welcome to "Why They Fail," the podcast that dissects the downfall of continuous improvement initiatives. Your host, Kevin Clay, a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with over 25 years of experience and a mentor at Six Sigma Development Solutions, is here to deliver an unfiltered look...
Why They Fail!, Episode #3 – Beware of the Paper Belt!
Welcome to “Why They Fail,” the podcast that dissects why continuous improvement efforts often derail. Your host, Kevin Clay, a seasoned Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, is here to expose the truth behind leadership agendas and short-sighted decisions tha...
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 S...
Why They Fail! Podcast, Episode #1 - Why CI Efforts Fail.
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 ul...
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