M was originally a small car radio manufacturer in the 1920s. Since then it expanded into integrated circuits, paging systems, cellular phones, computers and wireless communication systems. At heart, M was an engineering company, however in the mid-1970s it shifted its focus from products to consumers. Following a goal of total customer satisfaction M is now known for its cutting-edge quality management systems. In 1986, it devised the Six Sigma methodology. This method changed the measure of quality in the country. Ever since, Six Sigma has become the widely adopted standard measure of quality. Today Six Sigma has evolved from a measure into a comprehensive quality management system and has been implemented by most large corporations. M has reported over $17 billion in savings due to it. The core focus of Six Sigma is to improve key processes in a company. This leads to drops in waste and cost, while improving quality, processes and customer satisfaction and loyalty and finally improving profitability. To determine: What are some of the obstacles for a smaller company to implement a Six Sigma program? Are certain features and components of Six Sigma more applicable than others to a small company?

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M was originally a small car radio manufacturer in the 1920s. Since then it expanded into integrated circuits, paging systems, cellular phones, computers and wireless communication systems. At heart, M was an engineering company, however in the mid-1970s it shifted its focus from products to consumers. Following a goal of total customer satisfaction M is now known for its cutting-edge quality management systems.

In 1986, it devised the Six Sigma methodology. This method changed the measure of quality in the country. Ever since, Six Sigma has become the widely adopted standard measure of quality. Today Six Sigma has evolved from a measure into a comprehensive quality management system and has been implemented by most large corporations. M has reported over $17 billion in savings due to it.

The core focus of Six Sigma is to improve key processes in a company. This leads to drops in waste and cost, while improving quality, processes and customer satisfaction and loyalty and finally improving profitability.

To determine: What are some of the obstacles for a smaller company to implement a Six Sigma program? Are certain features and components of Six Sigma more applicable than others to a small company?

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