Six Sigma speeds the “settling in” process at Bharati Computers Limited : New employees become productive more quickly after streamlining process

Purpose – Describes how Bharati Computers Limited reduced the average time required for new employees to complete the joining process from 14 to four days using six‐sigma techniques. Design/methodology/approach – Details the seven processes involved in “settling in” a new employee, shows how they overlapped and how delays on one process could hold up the completion of another. Shows how the process was simplified and reformed. Findings – Reveals that, on the basis of Bharati Computers Limited recruiting around 1,000 new people a year, the company could make an annual saving of around US$360,000. Practical implications – Reveals how application of six sigma can substantially improve the performance of a process. Originality/value – Highlights the scope for reducing hidden costs by stripping out activities that do not add value.