Time is Money! Mastering Lean Six Sigma for Effective Time Management
Jo Rawald • October 6, 2024
Learn how to apply Lean Six Sigma techniques to streamline time management and boost productivity.
Let’s be real for a moment—when you’re running a small business, your time is your most valuable resource. But somehow, there’s never enough of it, right? Every
minute counts, and it often feels like you’re trying to juggle a thousand things at once => managing operations, handling clients, leading your team, and squeezing in strategic planning. The overwhelm is real, I get it. But here’s the thing, you don’t have to do it all yourself. In fact, you shouldn’t.
One of the smartest things a business owner can do is buy back their time. That’s right. Hire other people to do the tasks that eat up your day and aren’t directly contributing to your bottom line. When you invest in outsourcing those repetitive, time-consuming jobs—like mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, or even managing your inbox—you free yourself up to focus on what really drives profits in your business.
Now, couple that mindset with the proven power of Lean Six Sigma, and you’ve got a recipe for success. Lean Six Sigma is all about maximizing your time, streamlining processes, and boosting productivity. It’s a powerhouse approach that can transform the way you manage your business, and best of all, it allows you to focus on doing what you do best—leading your business, not managing every tiny detail.
In today’s fast-paced world, the phrase "time is money"
couldn’t ring truer for small business owners. Your ability to manage time effectively directly impacts your bottom line. This is where Lean Six Sigma becomes your not-so-secret weapon. It’s not just for big corporations. Small business owners, just like you, can use these strategies to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, and supercharge productivity.
Why You Need Lean Six Sigma for Time Management
Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that combines two world-class business improvement philosophies—Lean
and Six Sigma. Lean is all about eliminating waste and creating efficient systems. Six Sigma focuses on improving the quality of processes by reducing defects and using data to make better decisions. Together, they form a system that can transform how you manage your time and resources.
And here’s the twist—when you apply Lean Six Sigma principles to your time management, you’re not just getting better at juggling tasks. You’re creating an entire framework where both you and your team can focus on what truly drives profits. By spending money to hire people to take over those non-revenue-generating tasks, you’re freeing yourself to focus on what you do best, growing your business.
Step 1 | Identify What’s Stealing Your Time
Before you can fix a problem, you need to know what the problem is. One of the core principles of Lean Six Sigma is identifying
"waste"—those activities that don’t add value. In time management, these are the tasks and distractions that are stealing your valuable hours.
Ask yourself these questions:
- How much time do I spend on tasks that don’t contribute to business growth?
- Are there any repetitive tasks that could be automated or delegated to someone else?
- What distractions are pulling me away from high-value activities?
Let’s be honest, we often don’t realize how much time we’re spending on things that don’t
matter. You could be responding to emails all day long, attending meetings that don’t need to happen, or spending hours on admin work when someone else could be handling it. The key here is recognizing these time-wasters and taking immediate steps to eliminate or delegate them. And yes, that might mean paying someone to do it for you. The payoff? You’ll have more time to focus on high-level business decisions.
Example. Let’s say you run a small law firm. You and your paralegals spend hours filling out forms and filing documents manually—tasks that could easily be automated with the right software. By identifying this as a time-waster, you can look for solutions that streamline these processes, saving you hours each week.
Step 2 | Use the DMAIC Process to Master Your Time
Lean Six Sigma revolves around the DMAIC
process, which stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. It’s a structured approach that helps you pinpoint the root causes of inefficiencies and implement long-lasting solutions. Here’s how you can use the DMAIC process to get a handle on your time management.
- Define the biggest time management challenges in your business. Are you constantly feeling behind on deadlines? Is your team spending too much time on tasks that aren’t adding value?
- Measure how much time you and your team are currently spending on different tasks. Track your time for a week or two using time-tracking tools or even a simple spreadsheet to see where your time is going.
- Analyze the data to find the root causes of inefficiencies. Are there bottlenecks in certain departments? Are communication delays eating into productive time?
- Improve by making changes. This might involve automating tasks, restructuring workflows, or hiring an assistant to handle repetitive tasks. For example, if you’re drowning in emails, it might be time to delegate that responsibility to a virtual assistant.
- Control the improvements by creating systems and procedures that maintain your new, efficient way of working. Make sure these improvements stick by having clear processes in place.
Example. I was working with a small construction company who found that their project managers were wasting time driving
between job sites to update clients. By identifying this as a problem, we were able to implement a system for remote project updates using video conferencing and mobile project management apps. The result? Hours saved each week, projects moved faster, and client satisfaction improved.
Step 3 | Apply the 5S Method for Time Management
One of the most practical tools from Lean Six Sigma is the 5S Method. Originally designed for physical workspaces, it’s just as effective when applied to time management. This simple strategy will help you organize your day and keep your focus on what truly matters.
- Sort your tasks, separating the essential from the non-essential. Focus only on what truly drives value for your business.
- Set in Order by organizing your tasks based on priority. Use a system like time-blocking to make sure the most important tasks are tackled first.
- Shine your schedule by eliminating unnecessary meetings and streamlining communication. Avoid time-consuming back-and-forth emails by delegating or using project management tools.
- Standardize your routines to keep everything organized and consistent. If your mornings involve responding to emails, for example, make that process as efficient as possible and pass off the repetitive parts to someone else.
- Sustain the systems you’ve put in place for long-term success. Review your processes regularly to ensure you’re staying on track with your time management goals.
Example.
A small marketing agency applied the 5S Method to streamline their task management. They sorted and prioritized their workload, set up project management software to track tasks, and eliminated unnecessary meetings. The result? They boosted their output without working more hours, all while maintaining focus on high-value work.
Step 4 | Eliminate Bottlenecks with Lean Six Sigma Tools
Bottlenecks are a major time-waster in any business. Whether it’s waiting for approvals, dealing with outdated systems, or managing communication delays, bottlenecks slow down your entire operation. This is where Lean Six Sigma’s toolkit comes in handy.
One effective tool is Value Stream Mapping (VSM), which allows you to map out every step of a process and identify where time is being wasted or bottlenecks are occurring.
Example. Imagine running a small manufacturing business and discovering that your production process is delayed because materials aren’t arriving on time. By mapping out the process, you can pinpoint exactly where the bottleneck occurs and take steps to eliminate it. This might mean finding a more reliable supplier or adjusting your inventory management system to keep things flowing smoothly.
Step 5 | Focus on Continuous Improvement
Time management isn’t something you fix once and forget about. One of the most powerful aspects of Lean Six Sigma is its focus on continuous improvement. This means you’re always looking for ways to improve your processes and eliminate inefficiencies. The goal is to create a culture within your business where time management is constantly evaluated and refined.
Encourage your team to share ideas for streamlining tasks and reducing inefficiencies. And regularly review your workflows to see where additional improvements can be made. The more you invest in making your processes smoother, the more time you free up to focus on growing your business.
Example.
A small IT consulting firm noticed that their client onboarding process was taking longer than expected. By reviewing the process and gathering feedback from employees, they introduced automated onboarding tools that cut the time in half. This continuous improvement mindset led to ongoing efficiency gains across the business.
Why Small Business Owners Need to Buy Back Their Time
You might be thinking, "I’m a small business owner, and I don’t have time for a complex system like Lean Six Sigma!"
But here’s the thing—you don’t have time not
to. When you buy back your time by hiring others to handle low-impact tasks, you free yourself to focus on what truly matters.
Unlike big corporations, you don’t have endless resources or teams of people to manage every detail of your business. It’s often just you and a small group, meaning your time is even more precious. By applying Lean Six Sigma and investing in hiring help, you create a leaner, more efficient business model that allows you to do more with less.
The Benefits of Buying Back Your Time with Lean Six Sigma
When you incorporate Lean Six Sigma and the philosophy of buying back your time, the benefits are clear.
- Increased Productivity. You’ll get more done in less time by eliminating time-wasters and streamlining processes. This frees up your schedule for high-value activities like strategic planning and growth initiatives.
- Better Work-Life Balance. Effective time management means you’re not constantly working late or feeling overwhelmed. You can reclaim your evenings and weekends without sacrificing productivity.
- Higher Profitability. When you manage your time well, you’re able to take on more clients, complete projects faster, and improve overall efficiency, all of which lead to higher profits.
- Improved Team Efficiency. Your team will also benefit from improved workflows and time management, allowing them to focus on high-impact tasks and contribute more effectively to the business.
Ready to Buy Back Your Time?
If you’re ready to take control of your time, streamline your operations, and boost your productivity, Lean Six Sigma is your ticket. It’s not just about getting more done—it’s about getting the right things done in less time, all while increasing your profits. And remember, you don’t have to do it all yourself. Buy back your time by investing in help, and watch how your business—and your life—transform.
Book a Free Discovery Call
with me today, and let’s work together to improve your time management and skyrocket your productivity. Time really is money—let’s make sure you’re investing it wisely!
By the time you finish this blog, you’ll have a game plan to take back control of your time and business. Lean Six Sigma isn’t just a corporate buzzword—it’s a tool that can transform the way you work, no matter the size of your business. Let’s connect and get started today!
I went to a networking event yesterday at Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors. Tropical-chic to the max. You know the kind of place - upscale casual, strong cocktails, mandatory valet. Now usually, I’m all about valet. But not yesterday. I wasn’t there to sip martinis or hang around all night. I could only stay for 20-minutes. That means - I was on a serious 20-minute mission: say hi, shake hands, peace out. Then, get back in my car to jump on a Zoom meeting! I certainly wasn’t about to drop $20 just to park my car for 20 minutes. No way! I pulled into the valet area, looked the guy dead in the eye, and said, “I’ll be in and out faster than your last relationship. Can I just park it right here?” And bless his heart - he said yes. Honestly, that should’ve been my win for the night. But then I met Sean Gac-Guerrier. Sean’s the Marketing Director at Excel Title, Inc. We started talking about dogs - and **cue the angels singing. We clicked instantly. Not two strangers meeting, more like two childhood friends who hadn’t seen each other in a decade! Sean showed me a photo of his dog, Dottie. I pulled out pics of my girl, Adelaide. Then he pulled out a photo of Dottie that stopped me in my tracks. Sean had a photo of what Dottie would look like as a human. Not a cartoon. Not a filter. I’m talking AI-generated, fully humanized, real-world, cardigan-wearing, intelligent-and-intimidating Dottie. I was mesmerized! It was as if Pixar and the FBI teamed up to design her. I looked at Adelaide’s pic… then looked back at Sean… and blurted out, “I need to humanize my dog!!” And I did. I went home, found the exact AI prompt, uploaded Adelaide’s photo, answered a few fun questions about her personality, and style - then… BOOM. Human Adelaide was born. Tall, lean, cozy-chic, with that unmistakable “don’t-mess-with-me-but-I’ll-still-hug-you” vibe. She looked like she ran Homeland Security and still had time for tacos and espresso martinis on a rooftop. Honestly? I stared at the image for like five minutes. Because it wasn’t just about making something cute. It was about seeing something familiar - something you know - come to life in a new way. Here’s the AI Prompt if you want to try it yourself:
Leftovers are the fake friends of the food world. And you know what? That’s what a lot of businesses look like, too. They launch with energy. Get some quick wins. A few clients. One lucky viral post. They look like they’re set up to thrive…until pressure hits. The market shifts. Leads dry up. And suddenly - leftovers. Not sustainable. Not scalable. Definitely not long-term. That’s why I teach my clients to build like bamboo - strong, flexible, and BUILT TO LAST. My BAMBOO framework doesn’t chase trends. It builds foundations. At Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves , I’m teaching how to outlast the noise, scale without stress, and build a business that actually pays you… year after year. No more business leftovers. No more "it looked like enough until you opened it." You deserve a full plate. 📍 May 7 in South Florida 🎟️ Claim Your Spot 🍷 Wine included. Obviously. Catch you in the room. Jo
If your business feels like one never-ending game of catch-up, we need to fix that. Too many women are drowning in busywork, doing too much, and seeing too little return. They’re hustling hard but not making real money. That’s not a business - that’s a burnout plan. B.A.M.B.O.O. - The Profit Formula That Kills Uncertainty and Fuels Rapid Growth
You don’t need more chaos - you need a business that runs like a machine. If you’re constantly scrambling, reinventing the wheel, or trying to keep up, your business doesn’t have a real structure. And without structure, scaling is impossible. Most business owners build their success on sheer effort instead of smart systems - and that’s why they burn out before they ever hit real revenue growth. What’s the Secret to a Bulletproof Business? B.A.M.B.O.O.
You’re working too damn hard for too little. You’re hustling, grinding, doing all the things - but where’s the payoff? If your revenue isn’t growing at the rate it should be, it’s not because you need to work more. It’s because you’re not maximizing what you already have. Scaling isn’t about doing MOR E. It’s about making every move count. You don’t need to add more services. You don’t need to post more on social media. You don’t need to exhaust yourself trying to be everywhere at once. You need a strategy that turns your existing efforts into higher profits, stronger cash flow, and sustainable success. B.A.M.B.O.O. - The Exact Business Structure That Makes Scaling Effortless
A while back, I was on a Zoom networking call. You know the kind - 30-second intros, a few breakout rooms, and a whole lot of wondering “Why am I even here?” When it was my turn, I gave my usual intro. Nothing fancy. Just clear and true: “I help women entrepreneurs simplify their systems, increase profits, and build a business that doesn’t burn them out.” Then we moved on. Nobody commented. Nobody asked a follow-up. I honestly thought it fell flat. But a few days later, I got a DM from someone in that meeting. She said, “I’ve been repeating your line to myself ever since. I think I need your help.” It stopped me in my tracks. Not because it turned into a sale (though it did)… But because I realized: clarity attracts. I wasn’t being flashy. I wasn’t over-explaining. I was just finally saying what I do, who I help, and how I help them - clearly, consistently, and unapologetically. And that one sentence? It stuck. That’s what I want for you. Because if your dream clients can’t repeat what you do… If your message is foggy, vague, or buried under “inspirational” fluff… They won’t hire you. They won’t refer you. And they won’t remember you when they need what you offer. That’s why I’m inviting you to: Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves • A Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs Ready to Work Smarter & Profit Bigger 📍 May 7th | 6PM–8PM | Total Wine & More, Pembroke Pines, FL 🍷 Includes catered experience, wine tasting, & real strategy This is not a vision board party. This is a high-impact, hands-on evening designed to help you: ✅ Attract the right clients (without chasing anyone) ✅ Simplify your offers, systems & structure ✅ And create a business that’s profitable, sustainable, and crystal clear I’ll be walking you through the “A” in my B.A.M.B.O.O. Framework - Attract - and showing you exactly how to stop getting overlooked and start becoming the obvious choice. Ready to be heard — and remembered? 🔗 Save Your Seat Here It’s time to stop trying harder… and start showing up with clarity that sticks. Talk soon, Jo P.S. Know a woman whose message is powerful but messy? Forward this. Let’s get her showing up with client-magnet energy too.
A few years ago, I decided I was going to finally lose the pesky 10 pounds I had slowly put on over the years. I jumped online and found this weight loss coach who looked like a total dream - toned arms, glowing skin, every photo airbrushed to fitness-perfection. I followed her. Obsessed a little. Booked a 1:1 Introductory Zoom meeting with her to sign up for her program. Then she popped up on camera and… y’all, she didn’t even remotely resemble her photos. I’m not here to body shame - this isn’t about that. But she was clearly 60 pounds heavier than her brand claimed, and everything about the vibe felt… off. Here’s the point. It wasn’t about this woman’s size. It was about the brand disconnect. What she sold didn’t match what she delivered. She was coaching a transformation she clearly hadn’t made herself. I was confused and confused people don’t buy. Period. And that confused moment? It’s one of the reasons why I created my B.A.M.B.O.O. Framework. Because I don’t want you building a business that looks good online but crumbles under pressure. I want you building something that lasts. That grows with purpose. That holds its ground when the storms come. So why Bamboo ? Because bamboo is deceptively strong. It bends - but it doesn’t break. It thrives in chaos, survives in the harshest conditions, and grows fast when rooted deep. You can cut it back and it keeps coming. That’s the kind of business I help women build - durable, flexible, unshakable.
Let me tell you about a landscaping business in Kansas pulling in $1.2 million a year in gross revenues. Sounds like a solid business, right? Except for one little problem - over the past ten years, they racked up $1.3 million in unpaid invoices. That’s not just bad; that’s horrific. They weren't just doing work for free - it was costing them money to service a client's lawn! Their billing and collection system was a disaster. Clients were paying late (if at all), invoices were slipping through the cracks, and their bank account was bleeding cash. But here’s the kicker - they didn’t even realize how bad it was because their bank account never went into the negative. It came close a few times, but, as long as there was still $100 in their checking account - they thought they were doing fine. From that moment, when we discovered their 10-year Accounts Receivable balance was well into the 7-figures, we came up with a collections plan! I know what you’re thinking. “Jo, there’s no way you went back ten years and collected on old invoices.” Ohhhhh....but we did. And not just that - we re-invoiced and sent late payment notices for every single outstanding balance, even ones from a decade ago. But here’s the secret sauce - we didn’t just send out friendly reminders and hoped for the best. Nope. We threatened to report every single past-due balance to the IRS. [Keep reading if you want to learn more about how we did that]. Suddenly, those clients who had been ghosting them for years? They started paying real fast when they heard the IRS could get involved. And guess what? In just six weeks, we collected $1,079,000 a whopping 83% of what they thought was a lost cause. Now, let me be clear - that didn’t happen by magic. It wasn’t just about sending invoices. It took hustle, strategy, and relentless follow-up. But we did it. And once we got that money in the door, we put a bulletproof billing and collection system in place so they NEVER ended up in that mess again. Now? Today? They have a $0 balance on anything past 30 days. Clients pay ON TIME, cash flow is smooth, and they don’t have to chase down their own money anymore. So let me ask you - how much money are YOU leaving on the table? How many clients are you “hoping” will pay? How long are you willing to stay stuck, grinding without seeing the cash actually hit your account? Because here’s the truth - Hard work alone doesn’t equal profit. Strategy does. And that’s exactly why I created Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves - a LIVE, in-person workshop in South Florida for women business owners who are DONE spinning their wheels and READY to get paid what they’re worth. This is where business owners learn how to make MONEY. B.A.M.B.O.O. - The Business Growth Formula That Refuses to Break Bamboo doesn’t chase sunlight - it grows straight to it. It doesn’t fight for space - it claims it. It doesn’t wait for perfect conditions - it expands anyway. Your business should be doing the same.
Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, Chicago pulls off one of the boldest marketing moves of all time. They don’t just slap a few shamrocks on storefronts and call it a day. No. They shut down streets, they throw massive parades, and they dye an entire river green. And guess what? It works. People show up in droves. They take photos. They talk about it for weeks. Because when you go that big, that bold, and that unapologetically loud, you become impossible to ignore. Now, let me ask you this - what’s your business doing? Too many entrepreneurs market themselves like a whisper. They post once in a while and hope clients magically find them. They keep their services under wraps like some exclusive VIP secret. They don’t want to be “too loud” or “too much.” And then they wonder why no one is buying. Meanwhile, the businesses making real money? They’re throwing a parade. They’re visible. They’re showing up consistently. They’re making noise. Not spammy, not desperate - just strategic, confident, and impossible to ignore. Here’s the Reality If people don’t know you exist, they can’t pay you. If you’re waiting for clients to just find you, you’re going to be waiting a long time. The best brands aren’t the best-kept secrets - they’re the ones that know how to make themselves seen. So, how do you stop being invisible? How do you turn your business into something people can’t stop talking about? That’s exactly what I’m teaching at Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves - a hands-on workshop for women entrepreneurs who are done waiting quietly and ready to attract clients with confidence. On May 7th at Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves in South Florida, we’re covering: • How to market yourself like a parade (without feeling salesy) • How to attract dream clients instead of chasing bad ones • How to fix your cash flow so you always know where your next dollar is coming from • The exact strategies to get seen, get paid, and stop wasting time This isn’t theory. It’s action. If you’re a woman business owner, grab your seat now. If you know a woman entrepreneur who needs to stop waiting in the shadows, send this her way - she’s welcome. Sign up here See you May 7th. And hey - if Chicago can turn a whole river green, you can show up and promote your blimey business.
Have you ever had that gut feeling that something was off - like you just knew something wasn’t right? You pull up somewhere familiar - somewhere you go all the time - and yet, something feels… off. Your gut tightens. Your instincts go on high alert. You don’t have proof that anything’s wrong, but you sure as hell aren’t about to ignore that feeling. That was me the other morning at the dog park. And let me tell you - my instincts? Dead on. The Routine That Got Disrupted Adelaide and I have our morning routine down to a science. Dog park, 6:45 AM, five days a week. She’d love to go every day, but, you know, I got work commitments.