Re: Ford embraces Six Sigma

[Sinte@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/16/2001 3:54:35 AM Central Daylight Time, 
GrantBlair@aol.com writes:

<< It talks about how Deming helped them turn their 
 quality around with TQM, but also how "Total Quality Management was 
defiantly 
 philosophical and eschewed explicit goals". Six sigma, on the other hand, is 
 "is unapologetically bottom-line oriented".  >>


After reading the article, I become exhausted with knowing how much work we 
all still have to do.  Why do people continue to associate Dr. Deming with 
TQM?  If I remember correctly he never used the term.  I have watched and 
continue to use the Deming tapes in my classes.  I have a tape where Mr. 
Peterson, former Ford CEO, espoused the Deming philosophy and it seems they 
now have swayed way off track.  Although Six Sigma is the new "fad" out there 
it does nothing in my understanding to change organizational culture. I 
believe that is why it will eventually fail.  It is so fact and "bottom" line 
based it does not touch to the heart of people.  It negates  emotion, 
committment, intention and has no soul.  It is cold.  Deming touched on all 
of these and realized that time, knowledge, and human involvement at all 
levels were  necessary components for change as well as fact based problem 
solving using statistical theory.  His is a holistic approach to change not 
"bottom line" mania.   The article even states that Deming is out of 
"fashion"!  I can hear him say, "How could they know".  

I watch the c-span Senate hearings with now Ford CEO Mr. Nasser and Firestone 
CEO Mr. Lampe.  I am saddened by there finger pointing and 
defensive/aggressive attacks on each other.  We are witnessing an historical 
event.  The down fall of two great companies who lost there vision of why 
they are in business.  


Linda Ortberg
President and CEO
www.LeadingEducation.com
Coordinator Quality Technology
Tarrant County College