How to Become a Six Sigma Consultant

Six Sigma has proven a resounding success for countless global businesses and corporations for decades. It continues to deliver great results even today. Process improvement is always the order of the day with Six Sigma. It can help you increase efficiency, improve productivity, maximize profits, and enhance customer experience. But Six Sigma enables you to spread your wings in ways you may not have realized. Do you have your Green Belt or higher? If so, Six Sigma can open numerous doorways for you to further your career. For example, have you ever thought about consulting? Do you want to work for yourself? Well, a Six Sigma consultant may be the perfect profession for you! In this article, learn how you can offer Six Sigma services to clients using your knowledge and training. Plus, everything you need to do it. Let Six Sigma be your success!

Determination to Succeed as a Consultant

Before setting out on the path towards becoming a consultant, you need to ensure you have the essentials. First of all, it takes a certain mindset to succeed as a Six Sigma consultant. You’re likely to struggle at first, but an indomitable desire to succeed is imperative. From a statistical standpoint, 80% of all consultancies fail early on. For some, the demands of running a business, pleasing clients, and marketing are too much to handle. The more determined you are to succeed, the better prepared you will be.

Workforce / Business Model

Secondly, you’ll need help. We don’t recommend trying to build and manage your consultancy alone. Think about the staff you’ll require. It may not be many, but it is still an essential number. Receptionist? Assistant? Additional consultants? A united workforce with strong team spirit will support you in your consulting work. An air-tight business model that your staff share and value is also critical. Spreading your workforce too thin can impact on company image as well as efficiency and profits. Remember, you can’t do everything yourself!

Six Sigma Knowledge

Thirdly, a thorough knowledge of Six Sigma methodology and techniques is critical to your work. If you can’t talk the talk, how are you going to walk the walk? Most consultants have at least a Green Belt level of Six Sigma training to their name, though the higher, the better. Most clients prefer someone with Black Belt training, and won’t take anyone with less than a Green Belt seriously. With a strong workforce and business model, comprehensive knowledge of Six Sigma, adequate training, and a determined spirit, you’ll stand a great chance of succeeding.

Company Image and Attracting Clients

With all the essentials out of the way, here comes the important part. Finding work. Clients typically seek out your help themselves, but, if you want to reel in the big fish, you must attract them. Image is everything here. Marketing and word-of-mouth are your two best friends. Sometimes, it helps to reach out to potential clients yourself. By making them aware of you, they are more likely to seek out your services. Be clear about what you offer and what you don’t. Make it clear on your website that you can turn businesses around using Six Sigma know-how. Once you’ve built up a portfolio of smaller clientele, you can start targeting bigger companies. They may even contact you once word-of-mouth gets going.