Choosing to implement Six Sigma into your business is not a task for the faint of heart. Implementing Six Sigma is a huge undertaking and the reality is, most Six Sigma projects will fail to meet their objectives. That’s why it can be a good idea to hire a Six Sigma consultant to work with your company.
A Six Sigma consultant is someone who is specially trained not only in Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma but in helping other companies implement Six Sigma in their businesses.
When it comes to hiring a Six Sigma consultant, you will definitely have your pick – there are thousands of consultants out there willing to work for you. Not every Six Six Sigma consultant will be a good fit for your or your organization, however. You’ll need to put some thought into finding the consultant that is right for your business.
Why Should I Hire a Six Sigma Consultant?
As a business owner, it can be hard to delegate certain responsibilities. One of the most important decisions many business owners will make is knowing when it is time to hand over certain responsibilities to other people.
You may feel like you have the power to implement change within your organization but is there someone who could do it a little bit better? Here are three reasons you should consider hiring a Six Sigma consultant:
Lack of Bias
Let’s face it, it’s impossible for you to be completely objective about any challenges that your company faces.
When you are implementing Six Sigma, you are implementing an entirely new set of tools and way of running your business.
It can be helpful to have an unbiased, fresh perspective on the challenges that your company faces.
Six Sigma Knowledge
The right Six Sigma consultant has already successfully implemented Six Sigma in other organizations.
By outsourcing this task to someone who knows more about Six Sigma than you do, you free yourself up to focus on the more business important tasks that only you can do.
Willing to Take the Fall
When mistakes (both large and small) happen they can lead to a lot of fallout and finger pointing within an organization.
And when you are implementing Six Sigma, some mistakes are bound to happen along the way. Sometimes it is easier to have a Six Sigma consultant to blame rather than dealing with a lot of company in-fighting.
How to Choose the Right Six Sigma Consultant
It is important to choose the right Six Sigma consultant the first time around as choosing the wrong person can be a costly mistake. Not only will it cost you time and money but it could cause your employees to lose faith in you.
On the opposite end, choosing the right Six Sigma consultant could help you transform your business and save you thousands of dollars in the process.
As we’ve mentioned before, consultants are removed from the office politics of an organization. This means they can approach problems with a fresh outsider’s perspective that can be helpful.
It is possible for business owners to implement changes within their organization but the right Six Sigma consultant may be the best person to lead this effort. Here are four suggestions for choosing the right Six Sigma consultant:
Define the Criteria
This may sound like obvious advice, but if you don’t know what you are looking for then you are unlikely to find it. On the flip side, you may end up with someone who is the opposite of what you were looking for.
Before you begin to interview Six Sigma consultants really take some time to think about what specific needs your company has. What qualities are you looking for in a Six Sigma consultant?
Culture Fit Matters
A good professional relationship should be based on shared values and mutual respect.
For that reason, it is important that you choose someone who can fit in well with your company’s culture. Employees are often very resistant to change so it is a good idea to hire a consultant who will be able to relate to them.
Find out what that person’s general strategies are to solving problems and approaching employee resistance. It is important to choose someone with good communication skills who will be able to effectively communicate what they are doing and why it is important.
Interview a Variety of People
It is important to point out that this should not turn into a fishing expedition or an excuse to procrastinate.
You don’t need to interview hundreds of Six Sigma consultants and it should not take years to find the right person. You’re choosing Six Sigma consultant to maximize your time, not waste more of it so try to search smarter, not harder.
That being said, you should interview a variety of people until you have a sense of who will be the right person for your company.
Ask for References
The best way to get an idea of who someone is is to talk to other people they have worked with. Talk to other business owners that person has worked with and get their feedback. If enough other respected professionals feel that that person is reliable, honest, and trustworthy then you can probably feel good about hiring them.
Related Questions
What is a Six Sigma consultant?
A Six Sigma consultant helps companies reduce mistakes and waste in their daily work. Think of them as problem-solving detectives who look for ways to make work smoother and better. They use data and special tools to find the root cause of issues, then create solutions that stick. These experts guide teams through improvements, teach others how to solve problems, and help save money by making work more efficient.
How do I become a Lean Six Sigma consultant?
Starting a career as a Lean Six Sigma consultant begins with getting certified – typically starting with a Green Belt and moving up to a Black Belt. You’ll need real-world experience solving problems in companies, strong people skills, and a knack for explaining complex ideas simply. Most successful consultants spend 3-5 years working in companies before branching out on their own. Building a network and finding a mentor in the field can open doors to great opportunities.
Is Six Sigma good for consulting?
Six Sigma consulting can be highly rewarding because companies always need help reducing costs and improving quality. Unlike other consulting fields that might go out of style, the need to make work better never goes away. It’s especially valuable now as companies deal with rising costs and the need to do more with less. The best part is that you can see real results from your work – like helping a hospital reduce patient wait times or a factory save millions by fixing production issues.
How much do Six Sigma consultants charge?
Six Sigma consultant rates vary widely based on experience and project scope. New consultants might charge $1,000-2,000 per day, while experienced experts often command $2,500-5,000 daily. Some work on project-based fees ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 or more. Many consultants also offer training packages, which can range from $5,000 for basic courses to $25,000 for complete company programs.
What industries hire Six Sigma consultants?
While manufacturing companies were the first to embrace Six Sigma, today these consultants work everywhere. Healthcare organizations hire them to improve patient care, banks use them to speed up loan processing, and restaurants bring them in to enhance customer service. Even government agencies and non-profits seek Six Sigma expertise to make their services better and more cost-effective.
What skills make a successful Six Sigma consultant?
Beyond technical knowledge, great Six Sigma consultants need excellent people skills to guide teams through change. They must be patient teachers, clear communicators, and good listeners. Problem-solving creativity is crucial – the ability to look at old problems in new ways. Data analysis skills matter too, but making complex statistics understandable to everyone is even more important.
How long does it take to become a Six Sigma consultant?
Most people take 2-3 years to build the foundation needed for consulting work. This includes getting certified (6-12 months), gaining hands-on experience (1-2 years), and developing business skills. However, becoming truly excellent at it is a longer journey – many top consultants spend 5-10 years perfecting their craft and building their reputation.
What’s the difference between a Six Sigma consultant and a regular business consultant?
While business consultants often focus on strategy and general improvements, Six Sigma consultants use specific tools and methods to solve problems with data. They focus on reducing variation in processes and measuring improvements precisely. Think of a business consultant as a general doctor giving overall health advice, while a Six Sigma consultant is more like a specialist using specific treatments to fix particular problems.
What tools do Six Sigma consultants use daily?
Six Sigma consultants rely on a mix of problem-solving tools like process maps, cause-and-effect diagrams, and statistical software. They often use simple tools like spreadsheets for data collection, but also modern workflow software for tracking improvements. The key is making these tools work together to spot patterns and prove that changes actually help.
How do companies measure the success of a Six Sigma consultant?
Success is usually measured in dollars saved, time reduced, or quality improved. Good consultants track these numbers carefully – like showing how they helped cut processing time by 40% or saved $500,000 in wasted materials. The best consultants also measure how well improvements stick after they leave, and how well they taught the company’s team to solve problems on their own.
