Implementing Lean Six Sigma without the cost

In AmanziTel we practice the principles of Lean Six Sigma, it is evident in our operations from corporate to software development. In our software development this is evident in the methods we use such as distributed development environment, customer driven development, agile development environment and continuous integration. On our corporate development it is evident on our strategies to minimize cost by operating as lean as possible including benefits from open source software and various distribution methodologies.

For most companies implementing Lean Six Sigma is never a low cost exercise, there is the expensive training, certifications and consultants who assists and advise on implementation and change management. For large companies that have deep pockets this is not an issue since the gains far outweigh the costs. However for companies that do not have the big budgets for implementation often shun the change since they do not see the immediate benefit, a decision that in most cases causes their own downfall. There is of course a simple answer, you can implement Lean Six Sigma without the cost. How can this be done?

These is achieved by keeping things simple by starting from the very top and end at the very top. For Lean Six Sigma to be successful, the management must accept it, embrace it, advocate it and live it. It should become the very air they breathe. But how does it help? The success is in the strategies they choose and the decisions they make. By adopting the principles of Lean Six Sigma as their own it will trickle down to the entire organization and becomes ingrained in the corporate culture. This approach of course is most effective and works only in small organizations, or does it apply to all?