Online certifications are making new inroads. For decades, it has been an accepted principle that if you want a solid professional career, you must obtain a four year degree. This has been a minimum requirement for […]

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As far as approaches management can take to improve performance and guarantee quality go, Six Sigma can be considered to be a huge success. Many professionals across various industries, from manufacturing to hospitality to marketing, are getting Six Sigma certified. And an increasing number of organizations are sponsoring their employees to get the certification.

What is a Six Sigma Certification?

A Six Sigma certification is a professional certificate that shows that you have grasped the concepts of Six Sigma at some level. The levels in Six Sigma are known as Belts. These classify professionals into the following categories:

• White Belt: This is the basic level of Six Sigma understanding. White Belts are given a general overview of Six Sigma tools and techniques. Their job is to assist Six Sigma project teams in coming up with solutions to a problem during brainstorming sessions.
• Yellow Belt: A Six Sigma Yellow Belt has foundational knowledge of Six Sigma concepts. Yellow Belts are part of the Six Sigma project team, usually working in a limited capacity – as part-timers. They cannot work on a project without the supervision of a Green or Black Belt.
• Green Belt: A Green Belt is a Six Sigma professional who has understood the advanced concepts of the methodology, such as DMAIC. They can be leaders of a team if the improvement project is not complex. If it is, they will be part of the team and work under the supervision of a Black Belt.
• Black Belt: A Six Sigma Black Belt has advanced proficiency in implementing Six Sigma. On top of that, they can explain concepts and techniques to others and often serve as coaches to Green Belts. They also have a demonstrable capacity to take on leadership roles and drive projects to success.
• Master Black Belt: This is the highest Belt in Six Sigma. A Black Belt is someone who has worked on the strategic deployment of multiple Six Sigma projects (even complex ones). They are responsible for the development and promotion of Six Sigma curriculums within the organization. Also, they teach Six Sigma to all the other Belts.

Benefits of Getting a Six Sigma Certification

It takes time and money to become Six Sigma certified. Many people often wonder why they should do it. Here are a few reasons why a Six Sigma certification is important:

• Improve performance: When trained in Six Sigma, you will be able to identify the root causes of problems and eliminate them so they never happen again. You will also be able to identify the organization’s main KPIs and metrics, as well as measure and improve them. This is because the tools and techniques you’ll learn will allow you to gain and understand valuable business insights from analyzing the KPIs and metrics and use those insights to make data-driven decisions.
• Leadership roles: During Six Sigma training, you will learn core managerial competencies that will allow you to undertake leadership roles.
• Job satisfaction: A Six Sigma certification offers a self-esteem boost. The training prepares you to think of out-the-box solutions that improve your organization’s efficiency. This means you will experience greater job satisfaction knowing that your contributions are making a huge difference.
• Customer satisfaction and loyalty: With a Six Sigma certification, you can help your organization improve its customer experience. This means customers will be more satisfied and can even become loyalists.
• Best candidate: If you have worked on improvement projects that have helped organizations reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction and increase their bottom lines, you will become more hireable.
• Better salary: Six Sigma certifications allow you to demand better salaries from employers. On average, certified Six Sigma experts are making upwards of $100,000 a year.

Conclusion

By getting a Six Sigma certification, you are ready to apply its tools and techniques to benefit your organization. This is the case no matter the Belt you aim for. Furthermore, you are ensuring that you propel your career forward by possessing skills and knowledge that your peers don’t have. 

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]]> https://6sigma.com/six-sigma-certification-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/understanding-lean-vs-six-sigma-when-to-choose-which-one/ https://6sigma.com/understanding-lean-vs-six-sigma-when-to-choose-which-one/#respond Sun, 06 Jan 2019 15:30:09 +0000 https://opexlearning.com/resources/?p=27622

Six Sigma and the Lean approach both have essentially the same goals. While lean experts attribute the waste to the unnecessary steps in the production phases that do not significantly add value to the products and services offered, Six Sigma practitioners attribute the same wastes […]

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Six Sigma and the Lean approach both have essentially the same goals. While lean experts attribute the waste to the unnecessary steps in the production phases that do not significantly add value to the products and services offered, Six Sigma practitioners attribute the same wastes to variation within the processes.

Lean, Six Sigma, or Lean Six Sigma: Is it Either/Or or And?

This is a very commonly asked question that still arises in Six Sigma circles. Experts believe that both Lean and Six Sigma have their own place in any given performance improvement program. It is not really a question of which approach to use, but which approach to use when. The nature of the processes and the target objectives will ultimately have a bearing on the right strategy to use.

Furthermore, increasingly more Green Belt, Black Belt, and Master Black Belt training programs include both of these approaches rather than focusing on just one.

Many businesses today have integrated both methodologies, using a Lean Six Sigma implementation. Used together, the techniques help overcome the individual shortcomings of each approach.

Overcoming Individual Challenges

Lean focuses on cutting the unnecessary steps that do not add any value to product creation. The process of ascertaining whether a process adds value or not is to see if a customer is willing to pay for the same. Lean leaves a streamlined process in place while minimizing all wastes. However, a major challenge is the lack of quality.

This is where Six Sigma steps in and contributes to efficient business process management. The methodology helps reduce the number of defects and is associated with organizational leadership. Ultimately, the implementation of the approach helps to attain results that are real and measurable.

While Lean practitioners simply work on a project and often leave it suboptimally improved without emphasis on reducing variability, Six Sigma methodology takes in a large amount of data and uses statistical analysis.

Most experts, therefore, recommend an integrated approach that uses both Six Sigma and Lean principles. While little effort must be made by an organization to catalyze a combined training of both these approaches for its employees, the benefits are many.

Furthermore, having an understanding of different approaches rather than expertise in just one is likely to be helpful in dealing with the day-to-day challenges in a more efficient way instead of force-fitting one approach to solve all problems.

The Integrated LSS Approach

The Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach is a powerful methodology that combines the best of both worlds. Instead of comparing the Lean and Six Sigma techniques, businesses must realize that they can, in fact, work wonders when used together. The following are the main highlights of the integrated LSS approach:

• Businesses must realize the importance of visualizing the value stream
• It is the customer who creates value and it is thus important to consider his needs and requirements
• Elimination of the steps that add no value to the process
• Use of data to trace the sources of variation which cause defects
• Aiming for perfection in operations while also realizing that no process can actually be perfect but there is scope for continuous improvement

LSS emphasizes value creation for the customer. Value is traditionally defined as the right products and services delivered at the right quality and at the right price and time, which makes them worth the money for the customer.

Conclusion

While most businesses compare Six Sigma and Lean approaches, it is important to realize that both work towards the same end goal, i.e., to remove waste and improve quality. Both approaches take different routes to the same effect. However, there’s no denying the fact that when used together, they take on a different and more powerful form.

 

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]]> https://6sigma.com/understanding-lean-vs-six-sigma-when-to-choose-which-one/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/the-benefits-of-six-sigma-for-non-profits/ https://6sigma.com/the-benefits-of-six-sigma-for-non-profits/#respond Mon, 27 Aug 2018 13:23:36 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=22515 Six Sigma has a lot to offer when it comes to non-profits. If more non-profits would implement Six Sigma into their company culture, the organization would reap the benefits of the success. Unfortunately, there are obstacles that require a mindset of focused, goal-oriented success.

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]]> Six Sigma has a lot to offer when it comes to non-profits. If more non-profits would implement Six Sigma into their company culture, the organization would reap the benefits of the success. Unfortunately, there are obstacles that require a mindset of focused, goal-oriented success.

Since non-profits are missioned-based and not revenue-based, the culture isn’t necessarily a direct fit with the methodologies of Six Sigma. For the implementation of Six Sigma into a non-profit to be successful, complete commitment of both upper management as well as the entire organization is required.

This would require special training, as well as establishing a company culture that is structured so that Six Sigma can work its magic. Even though a non-profit is not revenue oriented, it can still benefit from a well-oiled machine running perfectly — meaning less waste and better use of resources, which would add up to more revenue the non-profit can use towards their mission.

It Takes Total Commitment, Especially From Upper Management

Upper management must be on board because it does take a monetary investment. The training is a truly short term inconvenience for the benefits that full Six Sigma implementation would benefit the non-profit’s mission.

A baseline assessment in every work process must be completed before any thing can begin. This baseline includes the focus of the audience or market that is being helped by the non-profit’s mission.

Much of the initial expenses will go towards training, consultations and facilitation of Six Sigma; this includes the salary of a Black Belt, and other potential Six Sigma pros that might be needed. Remember this is a short term inconvenience for long-term success.

For more information on our Six Sigma training courses and services, please visit 6sigma.com. 

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]]> https://6sigma.com/the-benefits-of-six-sigma-for-non-profits/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/does-every-leader-need-a-black-belt-in-six-sigma-23987-2/ https://6sigma.com/does-every-leader-need-a-black-belt-in-six-sigma-23987-2/#respond Sun, 17 Sep 2017 15:11:15 +0000 https://opexlearning.com/resources/?p=23987

Six Sigma follows a certification process that is not too different from what you’ll find in many traditional martial arts. Learning Six Sigma involves climbing through a ladder of progressively more challenging levels, each one awarding a belt of a certain color. And […]

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Six Sigma follows a certification process that is not too different from what you’ll find in many traditional martial arts. Learning Six Sigma involves climbing through a ladder of progressively more challenging levels, each one awarding a belt of a certain color. And while you’ll gain a deeper and deeper understanding with each new belt color, it’s actually not advisable for everyone in a leadership position to be striving towards a black belt as their momentary goal.

The thing is, there are different levels of leadership within any organization, and Six Sigma actually recognizes that to a large extent in its belt colors. Thus, a black belt would be capable of handling large-scale projects that involve lots of complicated steps, while someone with a lower-level belt will be better suited for smaller roles.

Looking at the Bigger Picture

That doesn’t mean that a yellow belt is objectively worse than a black belt, however. Sometimes, a position requires a person with a very specific overview of the way things work at a lower level within the organization. These skills can stagnate a bit if you don’t practice them, which is usually what ends up happening as you keep climbing the Six Sigma ladder.

Thus, someone who’s used to handling black belt projects might find themselves a little out of their element if they’re tasked with optimizing the way the company works on some intermediate level. And while it’s pretty much guaranteed that the leader will brush up on the necessary skills quickly enough to get the hang of their job in a reasonable time, it’s questionable whether this is an appropriate utilization of the skills of a Six Sigma Black Belt.

If you’re currently climbing that long, difficult ladder, you shouldn’t constantly compare yourself against professionals with multiple years of Six Sigma black belt experience. Everyone has to start somewhere, and the important thing is that you’re climbing.

Fit for the Job?

And on the other hand, depending on the size and complexity of your organization, a black belt may not even be the most appropriate level for you specifically. It might be better to focus on managing the company with a different set of skills as it grows, while still keeping your aim on improving your profile and eventually climbing up to a Six Sigma black belt in the future.

A great thing about Six Sigma is that you ultimately decide your progression rate, and if you don’t feel comfortable moving up above your current level yet, you can safely keep practicing and improving your currently necessary skills. This will actually help you out in the future once you decide to go for a more advanced belt level, as it will give you a solid foundation of knowledge for learning the skills necessary going forward.

In addition to that, staying at a certain level for longer will also make you a more valuable asset for teaching new leaders in the future. The more familiar you are with your current belt and the way to properly utilize it, the faster you’ll be able to transfer those skills to someone new who’s just reached that level and is looking for a good mentor.

There are many benefits to taking things slowly when learning Six Sigma, and even though every leader should ultimately be striving to reach the highest possible level on the progression ladder, it can sometimes be quite beneficial to stay at a lower level for a longer period of time.

Join the Community!

You should also consult other experts who’ve gone through multiple Six Sigma levels in their careers, as they should be able to give you some valuable insights about the way you should be building up your profile, and the kind of research that each level requires. Remember that Six Sigma is a field that’s constantly evolving and there are new developments on a nearly weekly basis, so you can always benefit from someone else’s knowledge and experience.

Conclusion

And of course, don’t forget to give back to the community if you feel like someone around you is struggling with some specific concept of Six Sigma that you consider yourself more knowledgeable about, it’s never a bad idea to try reaching out to help them. In the least, you’ll end up learning something new yourself.

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]]> https://6sigma.com/does-every-leader-need-a-black-belt-in-six-sigma-23987-2/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/human-resources-six-sigmas-best-resource/ https://6sigma.com/human-resources-six-sigmas-best-resource/#respond Mon, 28 Aug 2017 00:12:18 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21585 When we talk about Six Sigma, its benefits, and how teams can really improve the future and success of a company, rarely mentioned is how HR can be a godsend to implementing Six Sigma into the company.

Human Resources is Six Sigma’s Best Resource appeared first on 6sigma.

]]> When we talk about Six Sigma, its benefits, and how teams can really improve the future and success of a company, rarely mentioned is how HR can be a godsend to implementing Six Sigma into the company.

Human resources is responsible for recruiting, interviewing and ultimately placing the staff members into their current positions. HR also works closely with the leads and managers of the different departments.

So once an organization decides to implement this highly successful process improvement process, it only seems natural to make sure HR is an important part, since they are the bridge that can pull everything together.

How HR Can Really Help in a Six Sigma Initiative 

Let’s face it, once Six Sigma has been implemented, keeping everyone motivated in their willingness to make Six Sigma a way of life at the organization takes a special type of person. They will be the ambassadors and the face of Six Sigma at the organization.

Since HR knows all the personnel in the organization, they are truly your one-stop resource. The Six Sigma leader needs to find the right people for his team — more specifically, find the right people for Black Belt roles who will represent the Six Sigma culture at the company.

HR can also create job descriptions that attract the right candidate to fill the Black Belt description. Having the cream of the crop to choose from to fill important roles within your organization is a great way to ensure that your organization or company stays strong and motivated.

In the implementation of Six Sigma, there aren’t any small insignificant roles. They all help support each other; it is like a perfectly designed puzzle. Everyone has his or her strength, and everyone is a very integral part of the entire process.

The new class schedule for 2018 is available! For more information on our Six Sigma training courses and services, please visit our website.

 

 

 

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]]> https://6sigma.com/human-resources-six-sigmas-best-resource/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/due-diligence-save-time-money/ https://6sigma.com/due-diligence-save-time-money/#respond Tue, 15 Aug 2017 22:12:49 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21520 When searching for a great Six Sigma practitioner or training organization, it pays to be diligent. Or rather, it saves money. We want the best for your business like all reputable Six Sigma organizations, which is why we’re here to help. Ask yourself: Are you trying to decide between multiple practitioners? Uncertain about spending the […]

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]]> When searching for a great Six Sigma practitioner or training organization, it pays to be diligent. Or rather, it saves money. We want the best for your business like all reputable Six Sigma organizations, which is why we’re here to help. Ask yourself: Are you trying to decide between multiple practitioners? Uncertain about spending the extra cash for quality training? Don’t set yourself up for loss. Instead, pay attention as we offer our advice on how you can save yourself time and money.

 

Don’t Pay for What You Don’t Need

It’s important always to know your needs. Especially if you’re searching through numerous Six Sigma practitioners. As such, if you want someone to come and clean up your business, it’s likely you’ll want to hire them on an ongoing basis. But this shouldn’t be any costlier than it needs to be. Our advice? Don’t fork out for Master Black Belt when all you need is Green. It may seem beneficial to have the extra skills on hand, but if you don’t need them, then what are they for? Remember the ancient phrase: It’s only a bargain if you want it. Or, in this case, need it.

After all, do you need a Master Black Belt with Lean Six Sigma know-how? Someone who can conduct highly complex data analysis and design experiments to predict future customer demand? Or is a Green Belt, someone who can run Six Sigma improvement projects to streamline your production processes, all you need? Know the answer, and you can save yourself a lot of money. This even qualifies as a waste-reduction measure, as you’re reducing costs by not overspending. Well done, you!

 

You Get What You Pay For

On the other hand, when searching for a Six Sigma training provider, you tend to get what you pay for. The higher the belt level, the better the training experience for you and your employees. So don’t be afraid to pay more for better service. In fact, you’re more likely to lose money by going with sub-par providers who will only disappoint you. Do you want to waste time and money on one or more cheap providers when you can save both by making a beeline for the best? Of course, you don’t. So be sure to take some time to think before making any rash decisions. That way, you can save time and money, while making a great investment for the future of your company.

 

Research Beforehand

Keep your wallets closed for now. A little research before making a decision can help you avoid disappointment later. Research also helps to put things in perspective. If you’re uncertain, researching different organizations can help you settle on your ideal price. It can also help you decide what you want from your potential practitioners. Moreover, there are plenty of testimonials and reviews out there, so make use of them. See what other clients have to say. Read about their experiences with certain practitioners or organizations. This information is highly valuable, and you can use it to justify your final decision. Furthermore, Six Sigma’s lack of any central governing body spells bad news for unwary customers. We’ve heard many unhappy stories of people who thought they were in for a win, when, sadly, they ended up being cheated. Take our advice, and do your research!

 

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]]> https://6sigma.com/due-diligence-save-time-money/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/best-six-sigma-projects-black-belts/ https://6sigma.com/best-six-sigma-projects-black-belts/#respond Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:40:11 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21483 Have you just been certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt? Ready to get out there and show the world what you can do? Well, hold on a minute. Before jumping straight into the first project you find, stop and think. What projects should you be working on? Not only are Black Belts managers and […]

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]]> Have you just been certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt? Ready to get out there and show the world what you can do? Well, hold on a minute. Before jumping straight into the first project you find, stop and think. What projects should you be working on? Not only are Black Belts managers and mentors, but they’re also experts in Six Sigma techniques and data analysis. These special qualities open many doors, so take notice. Join us today, as we explore the types of Black Belt project practitioners like you can expect to work on.

 

What Makes a Black Belt Project?

 

You make the project, not the other way around. A Six Sigma project with a Black Belt as project leader is automatically a Black Belt project. There are no special criteria for it to qualify. All you need worry about is the scope and project duration. Black Belts liaise with Master Black Belts, supervisors, and project champions and have a lot of influence over how the project goes forward. By ensuring unanimity among all those involved, you can rest assured you have a great Six Sigma Black Belt project.

 

Finding the Best Black Belt Project

 

Finding a top Six Sigma project for a Black Belt doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, you should be using a different approach altogether. Don’t ask: What’s the best Six Sigma project for Black Belts? Instead, ask: What makes the best Six Sigma project?

 

You can do just about anything as a Black Belt. Your skillset is fluid and extensive, which is why you should make the most of it. But such a wide range of options can sometimes become overwhelming, not to mention paralyzing. The solution is to search for projects that aren’t too trivial or complicated, that provide sufficient room to flex your muscles. Apply your skills to the project. Searching for the ideal project with the perfect problem will undoubtedly prove fruitless. Black Belts are highly flexible, and you shouldn’t confine yourself to anyone type of project. Not when there are so many options available to you.

 

Always look at the contents. What problems does your potential project deal with? If a problem can’t be quantified or measured, it doesn’t exist. Great Six Sigma projects allow you to measure the friction and losses that result from problems, whether they arise on the manufacturing floor or in administration. While some short-term projects have immediate financial benefits, we recommend projects likely to benefit you in the long-term.

 

What to Look Out For

 

Ensure your Black Belt project has a well-defined goal and an achievable timeframe. We’ve seen Six Sigma students take on more than they can handle, which puts a major damper on productivity. Reducing scope leads to wasted time, work, and funding. You can avoid losses like these by selecting the best project in the first place. Here are some key features of great Black Belt projects:

 

• Deals with advanced process issues, like variation and waste.

 

• Deals with issues for which you have received an audit or citation.

 

• Potential for advanced Six Sigma techniques: benchmarking, DMAIC, Design of Experiments, Minitab software, poka-yoke.

 

• Implements Lean and Kaizen.

 

• Potential to improve leadership protocols.

 

 

 

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]]> https://6sigma.com/best-six-sigma-projects-black-belts/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/21465-2/ https://6sigma.com/21465-2/#respond Fri, 28 Jul 2017 22:25:24 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21465 Six Sigma Black Belts are one of the most influential and effective belts to have on your team. They play a leadership role, directing and instructing Green Belts and below while liaising with Master Black Belts to ensure all the right strings get pulled. Black Belts are an integral piece of the Six Sigma […]

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]]> Six Sigma Black Belts are one of the most influential and effective belts to have on your team. They play a leadership role, directing and instructing Green Belts and below while liaising with Master Black Belts to ensure all the right strings get pulled. Black Belts are an integral piece of the Six Sigma tapestry, and without them, it would all unravel. You have a lot to benefit from Six Sigma. Want to know how? Sit back and relax. Here are the short and long-term benefits you can take advantage of with Six Sigma Black Belt training.

 

In It for the Long Haul: Long-Term Benefits

 

• Greater Customer Satisfaction

• Black Belt training will enable you to increase customer satisfaction drastically. Using your analytical and practical knowledge, you can make changes that benefit the customer. Customers love to be understood, and your Black Belt training will allow you to demonstrate this understanding. Remember, the customer is always on the receiving end of your processes. Understanding precisely what the customer wants is the key to successful process improvement. As a Black Belt, you will know which processes to eliminate and which to improve to make your business a successful one.

 

• Lasting Change

• Black Belts are more than just leaders and project managers. They are change agents. Through occupying this role, you will learn how to overturn the status quo for the better. For effective change, walls need to be torn down and bridges built. Black Belts bolster their improvement work with their vast Six Sigma knowledge and practical experience. Similarly, without change, you can’t move forward. While it may be difficult for some, Black Belts are the ones to do it.

 

• Manage Projects with Flair

• Six Sigma Black Belts will acquire unbelievable project management skills throughout training. You can expect your training to transform you into a first-class project manager. Black Belts must manage everything from scope and requirements to resources and timeline, plus variance perspectives. Furthermore, without their fundamental project and management skills, Black Belts could not handle their workload.

 

 

Close at Hand: Short-Term Benefits

 

• Strong Leadership Capabilities

• Black Belts are great leaders. This is an essential aspect of Black Belt work, underpinning all your duties and responsibilities. Black Belt training will help to bring out your inner leader, pushing you to hone your teamwork and communication skills. The benefits of a good leader are abundant, but Black Belts are also great motivators and influencers, as well as leaders.

 

• Expert Communication Skills

• Black Belts must communicate effectively to manage projects successfully. As trainers, coaches, and mentors, communication is key. You will develop this essential skill throughout training, allowing you to speak to audiences, allocate responsibilities, and direct teams. Moreover, the best communicators can tailor what they say to suit the needs of the audience, and Black Belts are the best in the business.

 

• Powerful Business Acumen

  As business leaders and quality managers, Black Belts must develop world-class business acumen to support their role. With a vast array of business and Six Sigma knowledge to draw on, you can rely on Black Belts as an invaluable source of information. Black Belts are also skilled data analysts, which comes in handy when dealing with finances. Use your skills effectively to assure your Six Sigma success.

 

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]]> https://6sigma.com/21465-2/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/top-10-reasons-for-six-sigma-master-black-belt-training/ https://6sigma.com/top-10-reasons-for-six-sigma-master-black-belt-training/#respond Tue, 25 Jul 2017 20:48:04 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21445 Master Black Belts are apex predators. Sitting at the top of the pyramid, they act as mentors and teachers, as well as consultants and project leaders. In this article, we look at the top 10 reasons for Six Sigma Master Black Belt training.

1. A Mentor for Lower Class Six Sigma Belts

 One […]

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]]> Master Black Belts are apex predators. Sitting at the top of the pyramid, they act as mentors and teachers, as well as consultants and project leaders. In this article, we look at the top 10 reasons for Six Sigma Master Black Belt training.

1. A Mentor for Lower Class Six Sigma Belts

 One of the most rewarding and engaging benefits of achieving Master Black Belt certification is that you can help those below you in their progression. Equally, through mentoring Six Sigma Green Belts, Six Sigma Black Belt, and more, you can mold potential future MBBs like yourself.

2. Develop and Maintain a Strong Six Sigma Curriculum

 MBBs are heavily involved in developing and maintaining Six Sigma curriculums for training centers. You will also ensure your organization delivers the best possible training, spanning techniques like DMAIC and Design of Experiments, to related concepts like Lean and Kaizen.

3. Deliver Six Sigma Classroom Training for Employees

Some Master Black Belts also deliver training at a classroom level. You will lead them through each concept and technique, teaching them to apply their knowledge in a practical context. Passing on your skills and expertise ensures Six Sigma’s future as the pinnacle of process improvement work.

4. Help Implement Six Sigma Methodology in the Workplace

As a Master Black Belt, it is your responsibility to direct and monitor Six Sigma improvement projects, seeing them to fruition. Additionally, by liaising with business executives, Black Belts, and Project Champions, you act as a Six Sigma figurehead in the workplace.

5. New Career Opportunities

While some Six Sigma MBBs choose to remain with the businesses they work for, this level of training opens a lot of doors for the career-minded. Ever thought about consulting? With Master Black Belt certification, you can earn a handsome living for yourself while benefiting Six Sigma’s reputation in the process.

6. The Top of Your Game

 MBBs are at the top of their game, and also the top of the Six Sigma hierarchy. Are you ambitious and committed to your work? Do you want to reach the top? Master Black Belt training can get you there.

7. Develop an Expert Knowledge of Six Sigma Ideas

Master Black Belts are among the most talented and sought-after Six Sigma candidates by businesses all over the world. Furthermore, along with the title comes a wide-ranging knowledge of Six Sigma methodology. To hone your skills to the max and become a Six Sigma expert, MBB training is for you.

8. Help Your Business Achieve Success in the Market

 Six Sigma MBBs help their businesses drive for success in the market. They do this by increasing productivity and improving processes so customer satisfaction can improve. The more you benefit your business, the more it benefits you.

9. The Big Picture

Master Black Belt training can help those who see the big picture meet their potential. Why allow yourself to languish doing menial work when you could be the company’s shining star instead? Under-utilization of talented staff is a major cause of waste. Don’t let yourself be wasted.

10. Spread the Six Sigma Gospel

Six Sigma Master Black Belts are by far the most qualified to preach Six Sigma ideas to businesses everywhere. Moreover, by pursuing Master Black Belt training, you are making a commitment to it, which creates a strong case for Six Sigma skeptics.

For more information on our Six Sigma Master Black Belt courses or services, please visit 6sigma.com.

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]]> https://6sigma.com/top-10-reasons-for-six-sigma-master-black-belt-training/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/21410-2/ https://6sigma.com/21410-2/#respond Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:25:03 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21410 How energy efficient is your organization? Learn how you can improve it with Six Sigma. By making some targeted and effective changes, you can dramatically improve your energy efficiency. This is good for the planet, yes, but it’s also good for you and your business. With improved energy efficiency, as with all efficiency improvements, come […]

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]]> How energy efficient is your organization? Learn how you can improve it with Six Sigma. By making some targeted and effective changes, you can dramatically improve your energy efficiency. This is good for the planet, yes, but it’s also good for you and your business. With improved energy efficiency, as with all efficiency improvements, come a great many benefits. Increased savings, improved revenue and cash flow, and greater sustainability are just some of the advantages you will enjoy. Everything from global companies to local businesses can benefit from Six Sigma. Increase your energy and organizational efficiency to drive improvement and set your success in stone.

Drive Energy Efficiency with Six Sigma Projects

When it comes to running a business, electricity is an essential resource. It powers the lights, computers, machinery, and allows production lines to keep running. Some companies produce energy, but all of them use it. As such, it’s important for us to conserve electricity wherever we can. Through error or inefficiency, we often end up wasting vast amounts of power performing everyday actions. Furthermore, big businesses and small have a responsibility to monitor and control their energy usage. Six Sigma projects are a valuable tool if you wish to increase your energy efficiency.

Streamlining Your Processes to Reduce Energy Usage

Without a streamlined organizational system, you are likely to waste energy where it need not be wasted. Poor energy efficiency tends to take on a snowball effect. Once it starts rolling, it will increase with time. Without safeguards in place to monitor your systems and cash flow, you will suffer significant losses through insufficient maintenance. Six Sigma projects can target problems and eliminate them. Using Six Sigma, you can replace inefficiencies with more practical solutions or excise the issue altogether. None-value-adding processes contribute to over-processing waste, which drains power and bloats your energy usage. It also saps your funds, minimizing cash flow.

Creating a Six Sigma Project to Target Energy Efficiency

When creating a Six Sigma project, ensure you have multiple Yellow, Green, and Black Belts on your team. Additional team members such as White or Orange Belts will complement the project, but this powerful trio provides all you need to make effective process changes. When drafting your project charter, ensure your team is fully aware of all the implications. Use techniques like DMAIC to define, measure, analyze, improve and control your energy efficiency problems. It’s always helpful to identify the origins of certain issues. Root Cause Analysis is a critical tool in Six Sigma work as it allows you to locate the underlying source of your process issues.

Where Does Poor Energy Efficiency Come From?

Poor energy efficiency may be the result of many problems, such as faulty machinery, over-processing, or human error. Applying Six Sigma tools to this problem allows you access to a different perspective, which makes correcting your inefficiencies much simpler. Similarly, affinity diagrams will help you identify connections between issues, allowing you to trace one problem back to another. Moreover, Design of Experiments enables you to create effective testing parameters so you can design more energy efficient operations. Energy efficiency is critical to modern business operations. Don’t hold back progress, and don’t hinder your own. Use Six Sigma to make lasting and needed changes for your business and the planet.

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]]> https://6sigma.com/21410-2/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/overview-timeline-six-sigma-journey/ https://6sigma.com/overview-timeline-six-sigma-journey/#respond Thu, 13 Jul 2017 20:26:55 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21396 Before starting on your Six Sigma journey, it’s best to prepare yourself for the road ahead. Employers expect the best of the best when hiring Six Sigma practitioners, so fortify your knowledge from the get-go. In this article, we will provide you with an essential roadmap to your Six Sigma journey and all it entails. […]

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]]> Before starting on your Six Sigma journey, it’s best to prepare yourself for the road ahead. Employers expect the best of the best when hiring Six Sigma practitioners, so fortify your knowledge from the get-go. In this article, we will provide you with an essential roadmap to your Six Sigma journey and all it entails. Learn what belts and skills you will achieve, when, and more!

White Belt

The White Belt is the beginning of your Six Sigma journey. The shallow end of the pool. You study a basic overview of Six Sigma knowledge and teamworking skills here. White Belts will track Six Sigma’s evolution from its earliest beginnings to present day. Key Six Sigma skills like DMAIC and value-stream-mapping provide the foundation for further belt progression.

Yellow Belt

Once you have earned your White Belt, you can take the step up to Yellow. This signifies the inciting moment on your journey. From here, it’s either give up or full steam ahead. While White Belts are foundation level, Yellow Belts are the first rung on the ladder. Equally, you will learn how to utilize basic measuring and analytical tools so you can understand and leverage data. Key problem-solving and process improvement skills allow you to perform novice Six Sigma project work while preparing you for further study.

Orange Belt

Often forgotten about, the Orange Belt is as important as Yellow or Green. Yellow Belts must earn their Orange before they can move up to Green. Highly effective team members, it is here you learn how to hone your leadership and team-building abilities. Orange Belts, like Green, are also potential management material. Furthermore, management strategies like PDCA and the A-3 report, alongside practical project work will allow you to handle a team effectively.

Green Belt

Highly flexible, Green Belts can take on the management responsibilities of a Black Belt, while performing advanced data analysis. Combining all heretofore acquired knowledge from White, Yellow and Orange Belt education, you will put complex Six Sigma concepts into practice. Green Belt study is both comprehensive and intensive. Here, you will take concepts like Lean and Kaizen and incorporate them into your process improvement work. Moreover, Green Belts work alongside Black Belts to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, while aiding your team in identifying and eliminating problems as they occur. You will also implement preventative measures to ensure these same problems do not recur.

Black Belt / Master Black Belt

If you’ve made it this far, you’re a born leader. Black Belts are primarily responsible for coaching and directing Green, Orange, Yellow and White Belts. You will also liaise with Master Black Belts to encourage and support improvement goals at all levels of your Six Sigma journey. Black Belt training is the penultimate stop on your journey. Taking all your prior education, from DMAIC to complex data analysis, you will combine your expertise with advanced team dynamics management. Moreover, you will acquire an extensive range of process improvement techniques like

Black Belt training is the penultimate stop on your journey. Taking all your prior education, from DMAIC to complex data analysis, you will combine your expertise with advanced team dynamics management. Moreover, you will acquire an extensive range of process improvement techniques like design of experiments, process mapping, and root cause analysis. Similarly, with Green Belts to support you, Black Belts learn how to implement Lean and Kaizen to enhance and bolster your Six Sigma work. Furthermore, from here you can progress to Master Black Belt level, in which you further enrich your leadership skills. You will also learn how to design your own Six Sigma curriculums, and implement both classical and advanced Six Sigma metrics.

Furthermore, from here you can progress to Master Black Belt level, in which you further enrich your leadership skills. You will also learn how to design your own Six Sigma curriculums, and implement both classical and advanced Six Sigma metrics.

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]]> https://6sigma.com/overview-timeline-six-sigma-journey/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/21391-2/ https://6sigma.com/21391-2/#respond Tue, 11 Jul 2017 17:37:41 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21391 Six Sigma is well-known within countless businesses and corporations for its effective process improvement capabilities. Using Six Sigma, you can isolate problems and correct them with ease, streamlining your operations to make them more efficient and profitable. Moreover, Six Sigma relies on a belt-based hierarchy, and one of the most integral of all practitioners is […]

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]]> Six Sigma is well-known within countless businesses and corporations for its effective process improvement capabilities. Using Six Sigma, you can isolate problems and correct them with ease, streamlining your operations to make them more efficient and profitable. Moreover, Six Sigma relies on a belt-based hierarchy, and one of the most integral of all practitioners is the Six Sigma Green Belt.

But why invest the time and money in Green Belt training? How will it benefit you in the long- and short-term? Today, we shed light on how Green Belt training can be highly advantageous for individuals or corporations. Here are our top 10 reasons why you should sign up for a Six Sigma Green Belt training course.

 

Top 10 Reasons for Six Sigma Green Belt Training

 

• 1. Positive Change.

  By training employees to become Six Sigma Green Belts, they will master Six Sigma methods in the workplace. This can only be a benefit for your organization, as they can then make positive changes from within.

 

• 2. Time-Effective Training.

  Green Belt training provides a wide-ranging, intensive study of Six Sigma methodology in an accelerated timeframe. Green Belts aren’t required to take on the same level of management responsibility as Black Belts, so training requires significantly less time investment.

 

• 3. Incentive for Promotion.

  With promotion comes new responsibilities and required skills as well as numerous benefits. As an employer, you can use Six Sigma Green Belt training as an incentive for promotion. Moreover, as an employee, Green Belt training will grant you additional knowledge and skills to help bolster your job progression.

 

• 4. Impress Employers.

  Companies all over the world use Six Sigma, and job candidates with Six Sigma certification are in high demand. Equally, Green Belts are one of the most versatile and effective Six Sigma practitioners. Show employers why they should hire you through your resumé.

 

• 5. Pathway to Black Belt Training.

  Six Sigma doesn’t end with the color Green, and Green Belt training can also open doors for Black Belt progression. With the combined knowledge and capabilities of Green and Black Belts on your staff, you will reach optimum efficiency in no time.

 

• 6. Teambuilding.

  Don’t just train one Green Belt. Train a whole group of them. Green Belts typically train in groups, and by investing in multiple employees, their training also builds team spirit and group work skills.

 

• 7. Flexible Training Plans.

  Your Six Sigma Green Belt training, when given in-company, is flexible enough that you can adjust it to suit your needs. It can focus on the most pressing areas affecting your company so that you can get the most benefit.

 

• 8. Easy to Evaluate.

  You can evaluate the success of your Six Sigma Green Belts’ work based on their awarded certification, completed project work, and demonstration of Six Sigma knowledge. This also makes it easy to measure the success and capabilities of your Green Belts for specific tasks.

 

• 9. Productivity Prevents Problems.

  Green Belt training encourages high productivity and continuous improvement culture. Six Sigma Green Belts can implement preventative measures to ensure problems do not continue to recur. Moreover, this helps you reach a state of near-complete operational excellence.

 

• 10. Hone Your Analytical Skills.

  Much of Six Sigma involves varying levels of data analysis. Especially for techniques like DMAIC and Analysis of Variance. Furthermore, Six Sigma Green Belt training allows you to develop these key analytical skills. From basic comparisons to quantifying profits. With their range of skills, Green Belts are also prime management material.

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]]> https://6sigma.com/21391-2/feed/ 0 https://6sigma.com/industry-drop-shipping-six-sigma/ https://6sigma.com/industry-drop-shipping-six-sigma/#respond Wed, 21 Jun 2017 21:20:02 +0000 https://6sigma.com/?p=21311 Drop shipping is booming and supply chain managers all over the world are currently using Six Sigma to improve their delivery businesses. But first, it’s important we define what drop shipping means before we can understand how it works with Six Sigma. Drop shipping, while it does involve physical shipping of items, is more a […]

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]]> Drop shipping is booming and supply chain managers all over the world are currently using Six Sigma to improve their delivery businesses. But first, it’s important we define what drop shipping means before we can understand how it works with Six Sigma. Drop shipping, while it does involve physical shipping of items, is more a retailing strategy between retailers and wholesalers. It has garnered great esteem thanks to sites like Alibaba, Overstock, and Amazon, both of which use drop shipping in their operations.

Drop shipping involves a retailer making an arrangement with a wholesale distributor to ship their product after a customer has purchased it. The retailer sells it, and the wholesaler distributes it with the retailer’s label on the item’s packaging. This is a mutually advantageous relationship in which both parties benefit. The wholesaler acquires more product sales and new outlets for retail. Similarly, the retailer benefits from the percentage they earn from each sale. A further advantage for the retailer is that they don’t have to concern themselves with the shipping or carrying of inventory. The wholesaler takes care of it all on their behalf. Today, we look at some of the advantages of drop shipping and how Six Sigma ideas can help you make the most of it.

Why is Drop Shipping Beneficial?

Drop shipping is beneficial as it does not require retailers to maintain an inventory. Not does it require them to handle shipping. They can simply buy at wholesale prices and sell directly to the customer at retail prices, with the distributor supplying product information as well as new products. Amazon, Alibaba, and Overstock all use drop shipping in their online operations. Using this method has helped them cultivate a prosperous online business presence with virtually no initial inventory investment required. By having wholesalers source and dispatch the items they sell, Amazon makes substantial revenue to dominate the online market.

When a retailer sets up a website to sell goods, customers buy the goods, paying the retailer plus any shipping costs. For example, a $10 item may necessitate $3 shipping. It’s then up to the retailer to contact the wholesale distributor, informing them of the details regarding the order. The wholesaler can then package and ship the item to the customer using the retailer’s label. The retailer pays the wholesale price of the product(s) and shipping while retaining a 30% profit. This is how sites like Amazon have managed to make billions of dollars.

Going Where No Retailer Has Gone Before

Certain markets regularly become flooded as multiple retailers try to woo customers with competing products. There is a way around this, though, and Amazon is a great example of ingenuity here. Moreover, Amazon has gone a step further than most as they are both retailers for external products and wholesaler for their own-branded goods. But not only that, Amazon is not just a retailer and distributor, but also a manufacturing and technology giant too. The AmazonBasics line of products aims to provide affordable alternatives to a vast array of everyday essentials. Everything from batteries and phone chargers to backpacks and fashion items. Using Six Sigma principles, they have managed to significantly streamline their manufacturing, distribution, and retail processes for their own-branded products. This affords them a substantial market advantage over competing vendors. Why pay more when you can pay less?

Supply Chain Management

Supply chain managers have a lot on their plate. Their work is often externally focused, requiring them to work with outside partners to source goods or parts to produce products. This is integral to the way modern retailing works. For wholesale distributors and delivery companies, supply chain managers source the inventory retailers require, selling it to them so that they can sell it on again to make a profit. Supply chain managers often work for large corporations, particularly online stores and retail giants like Alibaba and Amazon. They negotiate contracts with distributors to maintain inventory on in-demand goods. Using Six Sigma, you can make a real difference to your wholesalers and how you deal with them. This will help improve efficiency and increase revenue for both.

Improving Delivery Businesses with Six Sigma

As a retail supply chain manager, it’s up to you to decide which products you want to sell. Six Sigma uses raw data to make justifiable decisions about process changes. Without a strong plan to follow, you won’t make the most of Six Sigma strategy. Think about the market you are targeting. Make certain that the products you want to sell are in demand. Search engine analytics are a great way to shed light on what is trending, on which products and services people want. The more you know, the more prepared you are to drive successful change. The more data you have, the greater control you have over the value chain, allowing you to predict potential future demand.

It’s important to utilize reliable drop shippers to ensure success. Be wary, though, as there are plenty of charlatans out there masquerading as good drop shippers. If you chance upon a bad egg, get rid of it quickly, as they will cause more problems for you later. A reliable drop shipper demands lots of pertinent information to do their job. This is your golden ticket. You can expect them to ask for references from other suppliers as, remember, they want to benefit from the arrangement just as much as you do. Once you get going, we recommend applying tools like Root Cause Analysis and DMAIC as regular assessments of your business operations.

Additional Six Sigma Improvement Tools

If you keep running into similar problems, like missing product information and shipping alternative or defective items, apply Root Cause Analysis to identify the source of the issue. Similarly, DMAIC can help you take control of inefficiencies to improve your business processes. It can also help you locate sources of variation that lead to defective products using Analysis of Variance. Applying Lean principles will also help eliminate sources of waste such as over-processing and human error. Black Belt-led improvement projects can also actively seek out inefficiencies and replace them with innovative solutions. All these tools and techniques coalesce to make significant improvements across the board. Cultivating a Kaizen culture of continuous improvement is also a beneficial strategy to stay on top of these problems and ensure future success. This not only benefits the customer but, of equal importance, you as well.

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