LeanSigma
– Business Project Examples
Business
Issue: A large cable TV provider was experiencing
very poor recovery rates (65 percent) on $300 digital boxes when subscribers
moved out of the system or dropped their service.
Approach
Used: Utilized the Accelerated
Problem Solving approach to gather the data and processes within the
7 different regions, map the current processes, develop ideal processes,
and implement revised processes to deliver return rates exceeding
90 percent.
Results:
Achieved
more than 90 percent return rates within 60 days of the APS, resulting
in annual savings to the region in excess of $7 million per year.
Business
Issue: More than 1400 annual openings were occurring
in a sales force due to aggressive growth plans, acquisitions, and
typical turnover. Each opening averaged more than 40 days from the
time of the opening to the time the position was filled. In some cases,
sales call commitments to partners were not being met and substantial
penalties were being assessed
Approach
Used: Collected data on
the typical cycle time of the average opening, pulled a team together
to run a focused Accelerated Problem Solving session to address the
issue, and targeted a ‘Zero Time to Fill’ goal for new
openings.
Results:
The
team decided upon two thrusts to solve the issue. One, statistically
analyze the timing of the openings within each region and hire ‘trainees’
to be prepared to slot into the position one month prior to the projected
opening. Two, managers would team to proactively interview candidates
in group settings to eliminate the single interview for a single position.
Managers reduced their annual interviewing time by more than 60 percent,
and more than 49,000 additional selling days occurred annually as
a result of filling positions before the openings occurred.
Business
Issue: Large energy supplier in the southeast had
more than 10 different processes for charging and compensating employees
for company business.
Approach
Used: Ran an Accelerated
Problem Solving session of cross-functional personnel from Operations,
Accounting, Sales, and Human Resources.
Results:
Agreed upon a web-based solution that resulted in more than $600,000
in annual savings.
Business
Issue: Leading provider of personal checks was experiencing
long lead times to add new customers and significant cost additions
as banking industry consolidated.
Approach Used:
After gathering extensive data, we ran an Accelerated Problem
Solving session. The cross-functional team mapped the entire
143 step process for adding new customers, and then created an ideal
process that lead to three specific corrections.
Results:
Fifty percent reduction in the cycle time to introduce new customers,
and more than $700,000 in annual savings based on the reduction of
redundant process steps, printing, and error reductions
Business
Issue: Large supplier of aftermarket automotive solutions
provider was consistently failing to meet customers cycle time requests.
Customer expected 4-6 weeks of total cycle time and the manufacturer
took 60 days just to get the paperwork from customer order to the
shop floor.
Approach
Used: Ran an Accelerated
Problem Solving session using a cross-functional team from Operations,
Engineering, Customer Service, Production Control, and Purchasing.
The team mapped the entire 163 step process
Results:
Moved to a twelve step process that reduced the entire 60 day process
to seven days – all customer orders were at the first manufacturing
operation seven days after the receipt of the Purchase Order, and
the solution was in effect within three weeks of the Accelerated
Problem Solving session.
