Jack Welch had a unique vision of an organization that made data-based decisions. At times his tactics for bringing this about were described as “violent,” “abrupt” and “painful,” but his methods worked. GE’s transformation is still a modern model of how to make quantum shifts in the way a huge company does business. However, most Six Sigma champions simply lack resources and/or a CEO like Welch to crack the whip. If your organization wants to change the direction of the company by creating a Six Sigma culture, the way in which you market the initiative can significantly influence how far down the road you’ll get.Brian Zempel is HSBC/Household’s national director of Household Consumer Lending. He recently presented the following assessment of cultural transformation. Companies that have undertaken Six Sigma or lean Six Sigma initiatives during the last five years basically fall into three groups:

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