Insight Blog

Organizations across the Architecture, Engineering & Construction (A|E|C) industry are under pressure to improve their operational efficiencies and enhance profitability. Gregg Schoppman of FMI Corporation said it best in a recent blog, “Maintaining pace with the competition is no longer good enough. Efficiency is quickly becoming the mantra across construction organizations.” With many companies sharing this mindset, Operational Excellence has become a popular pursuit with the A|E|C sector.

Operational Excellence is defined as a philosophy of leadership, teamwork, and problem solving. Its purpose is the continuous improvement of an organization in all areas of performance, including decision marking, ongoing investment, profitability, customer and partner services, and human resources capabilities. Its key components are customer satisfaction, employee empowerment and operations optimization.

A strategic tool in the pursuit of Operational Excellence is Six Sigma. Six Sigma is a methodology that uses statistical analyses to identify and eliminate defects in business processes, and to measure and improve a company’s performance. Six Sigma works in tandem with Operational Excellence because it focuses on enhancing customer satisfaction, business systems, productivity and financial performance.

There are many benefits that can be realized through Six Sigma and, for A|E|C organizations, some of those benefits are:

• Increased profits.

• Enhanced company reputation and customer satisfaction.

• Improved safety and reliability.

• Better use of resources, which translates into better workforce utilization and productivity.

• High employee satisfaction with increased confidence.

• Stronger business partnerships that encourage long-term relationships.

Because of the above advantages, Helbling & Associates, executive search consultants who specialize in A|E|C, are finding that companies are increasing interested in attracting professionals with Six Sigma certification and experience, and more specifically, Six Sigma Black Belts and Master Black Belts. These individuals possess advanced Six Sigma knowledge and experience, and are typically high-performing professionals who are either already in leadership roles or have the capabilities to grow into leadership positions. They are considered change agents who have the ability to identify inefficiencies, develop and implement innovation solutions and lead those changes.

One of Helbling’s Managing Consultants, Wes Miller, partners extensively with A|E|C companies on search assignments that encompass operations, business development and senior executive management. In a recent interview, he said, “A|E|C companies understand that having senior executives, market leaders, and other key employees who are certified in Six Sigma provides differentiation and promotes a strong reputation in the marketplace. That is because Six Sigma professionals bring different perspectives to challenges, and they garner trust with current and potential customers.”

Miller went on to say, “Our larger and more sophisticated A|E|C clients are committed to attracting and securing candidates who add dimension to their teams and who are capable of developing long-term strategies and plans to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. It does not matter the levels or functions of the roles for which we are conducting searches. Six Sigma-certified candidates are attractive for a multitude of positions because their knowledge and training in reducing redundancy, improving processes, and better utilizing internal resources and time can be applied throughout an organization.”

It is important to note that Six Sigma can be advantageous in talent acquisition as well. Six Sigma has been recognized to enhance a company’s culture, the engagement of its employees and its ability to attract high-caliber professionals. Miller says, “There’s no doubt that Six Sigma provides a competitive edge with hiring exceptional talent. Candidates find Six Sigma firms to be highly attractive. It shows that an organization is advanced, open to change, and is concerned about its employees and its customers.”

Today’s competitive A|E|C environment is putting pressure on companies of all sizes to enhance their processes and improve efficiencies. As many push for Operational Excellence, Six Sigma is being utilized as a key tool. This concept provides a competitive edge in the marketplace and in recruitment because it demonstrates a company’s commitment to efficiency and, more importantly, customer satisfaction. Therefore, as search consultants, we feel that the demand for and attractiveness of Six Sigma-certified professionals in the industry is only going to increase going forward.