Te objective of the paper is to present the role productivity and thus: (a) diminish the impact of the global fnancial crisis and (b) provide the means for growth not only for companies but also for a whole economy. Special emphasis was placed on methods of increasing productivity – Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodology. Te authors studied research literature and case studies of companies which have implemented Lean – Six Sigma methodology, and proved that (a) the implementations of Lean – Six Sigma methodology have improved process efciency, and (b) such process efciency improvements helped the companies overcome the effects of the fnancial crisis. Te studied companies originate from different industrial sectors and from different countries in the world. As complement to the research results found in the literature and also as a comparison authors made also research concerning Poland and Greece.