All organizations experience change. Change occurs when a company expands into new territory or manufactures a new brand or product. Change happens when new clients jump on board and the old way of doing things doesn’t deliver exactly what they need. Change is the order of the day when two companies merge or when a new CEO is appointed.

Change is inevitable when a company continues to grow and needs new and better ways to exploit opportunity. Outstanding companies embrace change and put a premium on change management.

In a nutshell, the role of change management is to successfully manage change. Change management is primarily concerned with three basic elements:

1. The Nature of Change
Naturally, it all begins and ends with change. The key to successful change management is to understand clearly what change involves and to implement the correct plan on how to deal with it.

To deal with change, an organization must ask the right questions. What is the nature of the change that it requires to be managed? What are the goals of this change and what is necessary to achieve them? What are the key departments involved and how many of their people will be affected? Who is the sponsor of change and who will be in charge of change management?

The organization must mobilize a team to address change. The team may include project leaders within the company or external specialists who are more familiar with the technical side of the change. This team can either be under Human Resources or assigned under the department where most of the change takes place. The sponsor of the change must create a team structure that best addresses change management.

2. The Repercussions of Change
Change management has two perspectives: the organization and the people. The repercussions of change are usually strongest in the rank and file. They manifest themselves in two areas: technical and behavioral.

In the technical area, change management is concerned with whether the skills of employees are sufficient to deal with changes in their deliverables and whether the company’s systems and processes adequately support the attainment of these deliverables. Is additional training necessary? Will the company have to hire specialists and new project leaders? Does the company have to tweak or drastically alter its systems and processes? These are the questions that change management must address.

In the behavioral area, change management is concerned with how people deal with change and whether this affects their behavior and performance on the job. Is there resistance to the new way of doing things? Are employees stressed or depressed and does this affect their productivity? Is there resentment, disloyalty, mistrust, envy? The behavioral area of change management can sometimes be the most difficult to manage.

3. Addressing the Imperatives of Change
Based on the first two elements, the organization must now determine strategy and draw up a plan of action to address the imperatives of change.

This plan should include a roadmap that gives a step-by-step account of what the organization must do to manage change properly. The plan should have provisions for training employees to develop new skills, coaching them as they use these new skills and motivating them to fully adapt to the new way of doing things. The plan should also anticipate resistance and how to deal with it.

The change management team should also plan how to communicate change to employees in a manner that emphasizes its benefits, addresses resistance and prompts them to embrace change.

In closing, the plan should ensure that employees have successfully adapted to change and that the desired levels of efficiency and productivity are achieved on a consistent basis.

Learn more information about 6Sigma.com’s Lean Six Sigma training coursework, available as classroom, onsite, or online options.

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5 Reasons Why Companies Do Not Implement Lean Six Sigma

Most businesses and manufacturers have heard of the Lean and Six Sigma strategies. In fact, businesses around the world have been using these extremely powerful tools for years now. They have helped in process improvement and increased business productivity. Overall, they resulted in a richer customer experience.

However, it is unfortunate that many businesses are yet to discover the true value of Lean Six Sigma. There are, in fact, several reasons companies do not use Lean Six Sigma. While some reasons are genuinely valid, others are mere misconceptions that need to be done away with.

1. Lack of Information and Awareness

More often than not, businesses shy away from using the Lean Six Sigma approach because they do not really know what it is all about. While it might seem surprising that there are still organizations that have not heard of the Six Sigma approach, it is quite believable indeed considering that the approach has been widely used in the manufacturing circles with less exposure outside.

Learning, they say, is a journey, not a destination. It is never too late to begin with a new process that holds limitless possibilities and is proven to be useful for long-term success. You should not worry about not using the approach because you do not have the expertise and tools in place. It is best to start by doing and learning along the way.

2. LSS is Not Just for Large Companies

This is a very widely held misconception. Many businesses believe that the approach is only suited to enterprises and large companies. This is completely untrue. Even the smallest companies with fewer than 10 employees use the methodology to improve their processes and streamline their services.

At other times, companies might just choose Lean and leave Six Sigma behind. However, the two approaches work hand in hand and used together, remove the shortcomings of each. The Lean principles speed up business output while the Six Sigma approach helps improve quality.

3. Implementing These Need Not be Expensive

Some businesses stay away from the Lean Six Sigma approach thinking that it involves exorbitant costs. Actually, the process can be started by a few chosen key personnel with a Yellow belt training. It is easy to get started with using the Six Sigma approach with even a basic understanding of the process. As said earlier, it is important to begin and learn along the way.

4. LSS is Not Just For Manufacturers

This is one of the biggest misconceptions. While the approach was first used by manufacturers to reduce wastage, it is now a universal process that is used everywhere. It is considered useful in service and transaction environments which involve recurring processes.

5. Fear of change

This is one of the most common reasons many enterprises do not adopt the LSS technique. The fear of the unknown stops businesses from reaching greatness. This is similar to the case with lack of information and awareness. It is best if businesses educate themselves and make themselves aware of the developments in this field to better understand the process and approach.

Often, businesses are just too stubborn to move away from existing methodologies and think about newer ones that promise rewarding results.

At other times, businesses might think that the LSS approach involves complex mathematics and statistical analysis. However, LSS is not just about mathematics and statistics. This is a rich process that offers businesses invaluable insights, helping them improve processes while continuously striving for customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

The Lean Six Sigma approach is an extremely powerful tool that has already proven its mettle in a number of industries and sectors. However, there are still several misconceptions that prevent businesses from benefitting from the power of this wonderful methodology.

It is important for businesses to consider the tools with an open mind and embrace the techniques in areas where they can particularly help improve customer experience.

The post 5 Reasons Why Companies Do Not Implement Lean Six Sigma appeared first on 6sigma.

Six Sigma has come a long way since it was first conceptualized. It has been constantly evolving and is likely to grow more in the coming years. The methodology provides a vast playground for those keen to transform their business workflows and make the best of use of the opportunities available to their business.

Those interested in the field should keep watching the space for exciting new developments, as Six Sigma holds the promise of limitless opportunities to those who are keen enough to identify and utilize them.

Six Sigma and the Future

Six Sigma is based on the concept of continuous improvement. This technique promises increased sales, lower costs, and greater customer satisfaction levels. The methodology is centered around measurable improvement in quality and there is no better solution to achieve these standards.

The future of Six Sigma is likely to involve the following key trends:

• Use of Lean with Six Sigma: The use of lean techniques with Six Sigma has a proven greater impact on long-term success since, in addition to the minimization of variance, the tools also help remove waste processes from the cycle. The future is likely to see the continued use of Lean techniques so as to enhance quality to a much greater extent than otherwise possible. This, in turn, would lead to greater customer satisfaction and ultimately to the realization of business objectives. It is important to realize that each business and situation is completely different from the other and the approach to quality control should be customized and chosen accordingly.
• Utilization of Customer Data: Mining business and customer data will assume prime importance in the future. Even today, businesses are increasingly becoming aware of the huge potential of large datasets and a comprehensive data analysis.
• Data-driven and Fact-based Decision-Making: It is important to emphasize the need for a decision-making approach that is data-driven and fact-based since this is the essence of the Six Sigma strategy. Dubbing timely project completion as an improvement is a trend on the verge of extinction in the complex business environments of today.
• Process Size: Process improvement is maximal with three to six-month projects that follow the DMAIC strategy. This is expected to continue into the future.
• Valid Certifications: As Six Sigma is widely being used by businesses in all sectors, it will also be important for users to be wary of worthless certifications that have no real benefits.
• Powerful Analytical Tools: The use of lean and graphical analysis tools will assume even more importance in the near future. Businesses should also afford equal importance to techniques such as regression analysis and DOE (design of experiments)
• Use of Modern Technology: The future will see increased use of modern technologies, including sophisticated computers in the field of Six Sigma. Modern technology makes it easier than ever before to collect and analyze data at much faster rates. Furthermore, it is also becoming easier to observe a large number of processes with high accuracy. The cumulative effect is that human errors are reduced and lower waste is generated.
• Staying Away From Wrong Lean Trends: Businesses must stay away from shortcut approaches and the desire for instant results. Continuous improvement is a difficult process, for, if it were easy, everyone would adopt the techniques with little effort.
• Team Skills: The future will also see an increased emphasis on interpersonal and team skills. Businesses will seek the expertise of professional LSS Green Belts and Black Belts in implementing company strategy and leading the process improvement programs.
• Operational Excellence with LSS: Businesses will focus more on OpEx programs and frameworks. Such initiatives would help lead quality and process improvement efforts within the company, resulting in a robust and diverse process improvement program.

Future Trends for Performance Excellence

The future will see performance excellence initiatives take the front seat in businesses. Experts envision that the detection of defects will be easier in the future. Since this is one of the main focus areas of the Six Sigma approach, there will likely be a lot of developments in this area.

Sustainable development will be the central topic for most companies, and is expected to bring a paradigm shift.

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Most businesses and manufacturers have heard of the Lean and Six Sigma strategies. In fact, businesses around the world have been using these extremely powerful tools for years now. They have helped in process improvement and increased business productivity. Overall, they resulted in a richer customer experience.

However, it is unfortunate that many businesses have yet to discover the true value of Lean Six Sigma. There are, in fact, several reasons companies do not use Lean Six Sigma. While some reasons are genuinely valid, others are mere misconceptions that need to be done away with.

1. Lack of Information and Awareness

More often than not, businesses shy away from using the Lean Six Sigma approach because they do not really know what it is all about. While it might seem surprising that there are still organizations that have not heard of the Six Sigma approach, it is quite believable indeed considering that the approach has been widely used in the manufacturing circles with less exposure outside.

Learning, they say, is a journey, not a destination. It is never too late to begin with a new process that holds limitless possibilities and is proven to be useful for long-term success. You should not worry about not using the approach because you do not have the expertise and tools in place. It is best to start by doing and learning along the way.

2. LSS Is Not Just for Large Companies

This is a very widely held misconception. Many businesses believe that the approach is only suited to enterprises and large companies. This is completely untrue. Even the smallest companies with fewer than 10 employees use the methodology to improve their processes and streamline their services.

At other times, companies might just choose Lean and leave Six Sigma behind. However, the two approaches work hand in hand and used together, can remove the shortcomings of each. The Lean principles speed up business output while the Six Sigma approach helps improve quality.

3. Implementing These Need Not be Expensive

Some businesses stay away from the Lean Six Sigma approach thinking that it involves exorbitant costs. Actually, the process can be started by a few chosen key personnel with a Yellow Belt training. It is easy to get started with using the Six Sigma approach with even a basic understanding of the process. As said earlier, it is important to begin and learn along the way.

4. LSS Is Not Just For Manufacturers

This is one of the biggest misconceptions. While the approach was first used by manufacturers to reduce waste, it is now a universal process that is used everywhere. It is considered useful in service and transaction environments which involve recurring processes.

5. Fear of Change

This is one of the most common reasons many enterprises do not adopt the LSS technique. The fear of the unknown stops businesses from reaching greatness. This is similar to the case with lack of information and awareness. It is best if businesses educate themselves and make themselves aware of the developments in this field to better understand the process and approach.

Often, businesses are just too stubborn to move away from existing methodologies and think about newer ones that promise rewarding results.

At other times, businesses might think that the LSS approach involves complex mathematics and statistical analysis. However, LSS is not just about mathematics and statistics. This is a rich process that offers businesses invaluable insights, helping them improve processes while continuously striving for customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

The Lean Six Sigma approach is an extremely powerful tool that has already proven its mettle in a number of industries and sectors. However, there are still several misconceptions that prevent businesses from benefitting from the power of this wonderful methodology.

It is important for businesses to consider the tools with an open mind and embrace the techniques in areas where they can particularly help improve customer experience.

The post 5 Reasons Why Companies Do Not Implement Lean Six Sigma appeared first on 6sigma.

Operational Excellence (OpEx) finds its origins in the principles of total quality management. Keeping certain aspects in mind can help OpEx deployments succeed. Having a clear vision and purpose for your deployment is most important. Maintain a strong focus on the creation of customer value. In fact, it is recommended to measure the factors that add value to customers and balance these with cost reduction goals.

However, as many as two-thirds of OpEx programs, experts estimate, fail to realize their expectations. There are several possible reasons for the failure of OpEx programs that are enterprise-wide in their scope, which we will consider in this article.

1. Following the Wrong Approach

Following the wrong approach is one of the most important reasons for failing OpEx programs. To be successful, OpEx needs attention to the cross-functional processes. However, many businesses implement the program along departmental lines. While this helps improve the small processes inside the departmental limits, it leaves a lot of monetary resources on the table. The approach does not address the end to end and large processes that can really create a lot of value for the customers.

If people in your business talk more about the methods and tools used rather than the results, this is a telltale sign of a problem with OpEx implementation approach. Ask yourself some questions to figure out if your business is using the right approach to OpEx.

Consider if your program focuses on the large cross-functional process involvement projects. Does the program use steering teams, which can guide and govern large projects? Are there visible recognition programs for the teams that create customer value through process improvement approaches? Furthermore, consider the involvement of the IT team.

2. Lack of Clear Purpose

Simply following in the footsteps of your competitors and initiating an OpEx program because they have chosen to will always create problems.

There should be a clear reason for you to adopt the approach. This should include a strong CTA (Call to Action) and a strong case for change.

3. Misplaced Focus Areas

Most OpEx programs primarily aim to reduce costs and apply tools such as Lean or LSS. Organizations should, apart from cost reduction, also take into consideration the quality of their products and services along with improving the customer experience.

There needs to be a balance between adding customer value and reducing the costs for greater success with implementing an Operational Excellence program. Consider having an up-to-date and concise customer journey model. Also, evaluate the metrics that the business leadership primarily uses.

It is also important to consider the top goal for most of the OpEx programs in your business.

4. Failing to Focus on People

It’s not processes that do actual work, it is people. Organizations that aim to shift their culture should pay more attention to the people. This entails recognition mechanisms to promote cross-department collaboration, change management integration into projects, and cross-training.

It is imperative to have visible recognition programs for the team members who help create customer value through the right process improvement strategies.

Conclusion

Analyze all of the failure points and the patterns that led to them. Examine the assumptions that led to the decisions that were earlier made. You need to brainstorm and consider how such mistakes could be avoided in the future decision-making processes.

It is of critical importance to examine the causes of failure in great detail so that those mistakes can be avoided later. The failures can assume different forms” while some can be potentially disastrous, the others could be life-threatening too.

Most businesses do not realize that their OpEx deployments are destined to fail before they are even initiated. Focusing on the people, using the right strategies, and having a clear purpose in mind will help your business climb the ladder to success.

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Big data is all around us, and as more and more is being said on the subject, it seems like some people are significantly behind the times with regards to their adoption of this technology. Which is a shame, because incorporating big data is easily one of the best things that can be done to boost the performance of a project of any scale, and organizations that have adopted these methodologies typically see significant improvements in their operations over a very short period of time.

• AI-Driven Decisions

Big data and AI go hand in hand, and those who are aware of the huge potential benefits in that field should already know what to expect from integrating an AI-powered project into their own workflow. Of course, it’s not as easy as setting a few things up and calling it a day, as working with AI properly can actually be quite complicated and requires the assistance of specialists who know their field. But as long as you can provide access to such specialists, you should be able to see some significant improvements in the way your company is able to make decisions for its future on a regular basis.

Sometimes those decisions might not even make much sense in the immediate term, but that’s just because the AI can account for factors that are far out into the future and beyond your current control. The way this works can sometimes actually be a bit scary, admittedly.

• Detect Problems Before They’ve Materialized

Which brings us to the next point with the help of big data, and the right kinds of systems for analyzing it, you can figure out if something is about to go bad with your business long before it’s even happened. That’s a huge benefit to the operations of most companies out there, and it’s something that takes relatively little effort to put in place and get started with. After all, the main requirement for you is that you’ll have to gather a lot of business operations data and organize it appropriately. The rest comes down to having the right kinds of systems to analyze that data.

Make sure that you can trust your systems. It’s not rare for a small spike in the data set to confuse some less advanced systems and lead them to decisions they really should not be making, and this can sometimes have a huge impact on your business, even if it’s just a one-time incident. Sanitizing your data sets properly and ensuring that they remain consistent over time is one of the most critical factors you’ll want to consider.

• Be Ready for the Future

Leveraging big data in your business is also going to make you more prepared for the future. A huge revolution in how we collect and process data is coming, and it’s not too far away at this point. Those who’re already using the right kind of technology and know what areas are worth following are going to come out on top and benefit much more than their peers and relying on big data is definitely a factor that’s going to make a huge difference in the very near future.

Of course, it will also matter exactly how that data is utilized in the first place, but as long as you’re following appropriate practices, you should be able to see great results. Make sure to join the community as well, as there is no shortage of people out there who are also experimenting with big data in their own projects and companies, and you can gain a lot from exchanging some experience with other entrepreneurs in the field. After all, that’s how we can expect to make the biggest advances, as they will hardly happen through the efforts of one organization alone.

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Big data is all around us, and its applications in various fields are nothing short of amazing. The demand for Big Data Analytics is expected to rise significantly in the coming years, generating revenue opportunities worth USD 235.08 billion between 2022 and 2028. Many specialists from a diverse range of areas are still exploring the full potential of what big data and related analytic techniques can do for us, and healthcare is quickly shaping up to be one of the hottest beds of development in this regard. We’re already seeing some amazing results from the proper integration of big data into healthcare workflows, and we’re likely only seeing the tip of the iceberg at this point.

1. Improved diagnosis accuracy

Cases where a certain issue could be treated earlier by identifying it correctly are not rare, and misdiagnosis is still a common issue in healthcare, even in places where it’s gone through serious development. Big data analytics can assist in these cases significantly, by allowing physicians to compare the conditions of their patients against a carefully evaluated database of known factors and symptoms. That way, the accuracy of diagnosing certain conditions can be improved dramatically, leading to an overall greater rate of satisfaction among patients.

Not only that, but patients may also occasionally receive specifically directed tips for their future healthcare and the best practices that they should follow for it, customized to their own condition thanks to the ability to see certain factors which would normally be outside of the physician’s control.

2. Easier triaging

And on that note, assigning patients the correct course of treatment should become much easier and more streamlined in the future if we continue to use big data analytics and keep collecting all the relevant information from evaluations. It’s sometimes surprisingly easy to determine what kind of treatment a patient should be assigned to before they’re even properly diagnosed by a physician, which can in turn remove a lot of work from the shoulders of physicians themselves, allowing them to focus more actively on the actual treatment procedures.

This is a self-feeding loop too as we continue to gather data and evaluate patients according to specific criteria, we’re going to see an even greater accuracy in evaluation results in the very near future. Things may even get to the point where a specialist is not required to handle a large portion of the pre-treatment procedures, giving them much more flexibility in how they want to approach the actual treatment itself.

3. Improved caretaker capabilities

Which brings us to a very important point that is likely going to become obvious really soon. Physicians and other specialists in the healthcare field should soon find themselves with a much broader range of capabilities as opposed to just a decade or so ago, allowing each doctor to perform tasks outside of their direct scope of abilities. Of course, we’re not likely to see something like a general physician performing brain surgery, but with the help of accurate and quick analytics, it should be possible to gather enough information to perform some more basic procedures on patients, saving time in getting them through intermediate treatment steps.

The current nature of healthcare is indeed quite complicated and it’s not rare to see conflicts between those practicing in the field, as they’re sometimes unable to reconcile the differences in their analysis of patients. With the help of data analytics though, there should be far fewer conflicts in the near future, especially when it comes to deciding on an appropriate course of treatment.

Conclusion

While we still have a long road to walk until we see some true changes in the system, some of the effects of big data on healthcare are already becoming obvious and it’s hard to ignore many of the benefits that it brings to the table. As long as people continue to contribute to the data collection and analysis, we’re likely not far from the point where healthcare will see a complete transformation and will enter a new era.

The post 3 Ways to Apply Big Data Analytics for LSS Improvements in Healthcare appeared first on 6sigma.

Equally, we find that the average employee is interested in the following questions: Can LSS benefit me? And how? Don’t delay. So start planning your 5S event today. This is the perfect opportunity to deliver sound Lean knowledge and help bolster support for your program. Read on to learn about using 5S as a tool for gaining buy-in.

Does Lean Six Sigma Really Work?

Initially, for any 5S event, team members will gather to take part in a training presentation to help them learn about Lean values. Ideas such as value stream mapping, work cell concepts, and the basics of 5S are all powerful subjects to explore. Use your industry experience to draw on for strong examples. Anecdotes, case studies, comparisons and role plays are all useful approaches. Moreover, explore the wider history of Lean, including its beginnings, how it has changed since its inception, as well as the future of Lean. But remember, your 5S event will not be a success if you can’t prove to the audience that Lean works.

How Does Lean Six Sigma Affect the Individual?

Don’t forget, Lean is much more than cleaning up processes. Lean advocates continuous improvement (Kaizen) to generate a self-sufficient company culture. Identifying waste is a key skill area in Lean principles. One that practitioners of Lean often use on a daily basis in their work. Moreover, Lean training should delve into all things waste if trainees are to get the most out of it. Furthermore, the same goes for your 5S event. Additionally, why not provide opportunities for practical training? Train your team in identifying waste and solving waste-related issues. The more active your trainees are for the duration of the event, the better they will understand how LSS will affect them.

Motivate to Innovate

Don’t let your 5S event go to waste (no pun intended). Make the most of it, inspire and empower your team to take Lean into their own hands. By thoroughly educating them on the importance of Lean, you’ll also motivate them to use it properly. Lean and continuous improvement aren’t just methodologies like Six Sigma. No, they are entire philosophies, ways of thinking that can transform your business and improve your work. Waste won’t give itself up of its own volition. That’s where Lean comes in. Lean gives your team the skills and power to make active decisions for the good of the workplace. Show them how.

Learn more about our training and Courses

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DMAIC  

D (Define): Here you want to state the issue in a clear, concise statement. Any details in relation to that issue, such as customer requirements, or VOC (Voice of the Customer).  Also state the objectives of the project in another clear concise statement.

M (Measure): Get a baseline of the current process and collect the data and see how your business stands as of right now. Create charts that make the information easy to read.

A (Analyze): Check out the current data and seek out what exactly are the possible hidden root causes of the issue. Identify waste.

I (Improve): Here, you are going to want to create new and improved processes based on the data you have collected and experimented on. Design new improvements.

C (Control): Here you want to design a monitoring plan to make sure you can standardize the new improved process. Document procedures.

Six Sigma methodology made such an impact on a large corporation such as General Electric. Imagine how Six Sigma could impact your business for the best.

For more information on our Six Sigma courses or services please visit our Six Sigma class schedule.

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In the past few decades, the Six Sigma methodology has spread into multiple industries. More than before, it’s becoming a valuable skill for employees to have. However, not all training courses for Six Sigma are alike. For example, certificate courses only provide you with the examination to gain a certification. Whereas, training and certification courses provide both hands-on experience as well as a formal test. In this article, we will discuss the top benefits you will gain from a Six Sigma certification.

First, Enhance your Organization.

Six Sigma is a business process improvement method that aims at reducing production waste, decreasing the likelihood of manufacturing errors, and eliminating unnecessary components. Whether you’re a practicing Master Black Belt or just starting as a Yellow Belt, a certification course will enhance your organization skills. How you work alongside your counterparts greatly depends on the education you receive. From any Six Sigma certification course, you will learn how to organize your tasks, operate more efficiently, and reduce the chances of errors.

Second, Increase your Quality Improvements.

Additionally, Six Sigma focuses on improving the quality of products by reducing errors in the production process. With a Six Sigma certification, you will practice ways to sustain a higher level of quality for your company’s products, services, and attention to details. Through your certification course, you will be exposed to different “tools” you may use to improve quality sustainability. These include Root Cause Analysis, Value Stream Mapping, and the 5S’ of Kaizen. 

Third, Lead Teams and Projects.

The aim for most Six Sigma employees is to become an effective project and team leader. Whether at the senior executive level or on the production line, your certification course will prepare you to lead others better and more efficiently. Likewise, certification will allow you to exercise your skills for training other employees on the business process improvement method. All great business leaders must know how to communicate with their employees and their managers. As a certified Six Sigma professional, you will greatly benefit from the managerial experience gained through your certification.

Last, Greater Pay.

While greater pay should not be your only motivation for seeking Six Sigma certification, professionals with experience in the methodology can expect higher salaries, faster. The increasing in salary, though, corresponds directly to your level within a corporation. With a certification, you will have greater responsibilities, move upwards in managerial levels, and increase in your salary. For many professionals who want greater challenges and more professional leadership roles, Six Sigma certification is an excellent way to achieve this while also earning a higher salary.

The complete list of benefits you will gain from Six Sigma certification is, fortunately, endless. Depending on what certification you achieve and how you practice your knowledge of the methodology, you will continuously gain benefits from Six Sigma certification courses.

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First, Leadership.

Above everything else, a Six Sigma Black Belts should be naturally born leaders. Employers will look to their Black Belt employees for guidance and motivation. Especially so during times of reorganization, project management, and other corporate restructures. Like any good leader, Six Sigma Black Belts have natural motivation. They want to push through dilemmas and find the best immediate result for the business process at hand. 

Second, Communication.

Although not first, communication is also key to the skillset needed for Six Sigma Black Belts. Whether you’re communicating with your employer and staff team, or between your supplier and a customer, effective communication is a must in the world of Six Sigma. Complementing the trait of a natural leader, Black Belts must exert an advanced skill with communication, speaking to multiple audiences at any time. Communication is vital to the success of business process improvements across the board!

Third, Technical Understanding.

Like other certification levels in Six Sigma, Black Belts are expected to understand the fundamentals of the methodology. However, what separates Black Belts from lower certification levels is their ability to recognize and understand when to use said fundamentals. While a technical or engineering degree is beneficial, most Six Sigma Black Belts will understand the need for thorough comprehension of the methodology and where implementation is necessary.

Last, Trust.

A team is only as effective as the weakest link, and this saying resonates within Six Sigma. Whether improving a business process efficiency or decreasing waste output, employees need a strong leader who will guide them towards the right goal. A Six Sigma Black Belt should practice trustworthy characteristics, promoting the integrity of the entire production or manufacturing team. In order to do this, employees must have trust in their leader. Complementing the first skill Black Belts must have to succeed, trust is equally important. When a team of employees does not trust the initiative of their leaders, progress cannot be made. In contrast, when employees respect their manager and trust that their goals are aligned with the company, progress is easily made.

These four skills are vital to the success of any Six Sigma Black Belt employee. Follow these, and you will practice the business process improvement methodology with integrity and ease!

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One tip we recommend you try why finding the right Six Sigma practitioner is to request testimonials. These can be from past or current students, or even companies who employ personnel from this particular course. Regardless, testimonials will offer needed insight into your practitioner. Though, practicing this tip can face numerous obstacles. In today’s article, we will outline our three-step approach to asking for testimonials from your online practitioner.

The Approach

Never begin asking for testimonials without a clear mission in mind. First, what type of practitioner are you considering? Do they offer certification, training, or only certificate examinations? Next, decide what information you want to receive. Do you want to read only testimonials from current students or should you request ones from certified Six Sigma employees as well? Once you have compiled your fundamental goal for using your practitioner, contact them

This step will provide you with the first indication of how official your practitioner in question is. If basic contact information, such as email addresses, phone numbers, or a physical address are hard to find, chances are you should find a new provider. If you do have contact information, first begin by sending an email. Briefly, explain that you’re interested in their program (specify which one if there are multiple). Then, ask for a list of testimonials from past or current students. Additionally, you can also request contact information for people who have taken the course, like references on a resume. 

The Response

How and when your Six Sigma provider responds will be your next indication of their program. If you have to wait more than two working days to receive a response via email, look for a new provider. Not only is this unprofessional, but it also indicates the level of attention you can expect to receive from staff if you enroll in the course.

If you get a response back but without any testimonials, this is another warning sign that you should consider a new recruiter. While the practitioner may be caught off guard by your response, providing feedback, positive or negative, on the course is not out of the question. Furthermore, if you received a reply but an answer as to why testimonials would not be provided, try giving them a call. This is also an opportunity to ask questions about the program directly to the provider and to feel out how they will interact with you.

The Conclusion

The end goal of this process is to receive testimonials from your potential Six Sigma practitioner. Now at the final step, your job is to form a conclusion. To help, here are some basic guidelines you can follow to decide if your practitioner is worth your time.

If you receive testimonials without hassle, move forward with said provider. Likewise, if they also provide positive and negative reviews about the course, it’s a safe bet you can trust the information given. However, if you do not receive testimonials, have difficulty communicating with the provider, or face a prolonged delay in contact, walk away. Of course, it can be irritating to have wasted time on an ill-repute practitioner. However, it’s better to waste an email, phone call, and a few days than weeks of partaking in a program, only to not receive what you expected.

Following this simple, three-step guide to asking for testimonials will put you on track to finding the right Six Sigma provider!

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Certificate, Certification, and Training

The first, and simplest form of due diligence to practice is clarifying what exactly you need. When searching for a practitioner, it can be easy to click on the first few links that show up. However, keep in mind that programs’ orders correlate to their amount of paid advertising. Furthermore, multiple practitioners will attempt to blur the lines of what their programs offer. This is where due diligence comes into play!

If you have years of experience practicing the Six Sigma methodology, a practitioner who provides a formal certificate after passing an online course is the best option for you. Likewise, if you’re new to Six Sigma and need a basic understanding of the process, a training practitioner is the better option. Lastly, a certification program is ideal for those who want to combine the training and certification test process under one practitioner. While this is usually the most expensive option, it does provide the most experience and formal understanding of Six Sigma. 

Where Does the Accreditation Come From?

While it’s important to understand what type of program your practitioner offers, it’s even more so to recognize where accreditation will come from. Is your practitioner offering a training course through a university or an online program? Does the Better Business Bureau support the program’s accreditation? Have industry leading corporations used a particular certificate exam to test their employees? These questions and more are an easy way to not only assess the legitimacy of your course but to also clarify where your accreditation comes from. A Six Sigma certification is only worth as much as the provider!

Quality vs. Quantity of Content

Lastly, finding a reputable practitioner can be done by assessing the quality and quantity of the course’s content. For example, most classroom Black Belt certification courses take between four to six weeks to complete. If you find a practitioner online who offers a similar course, does their curriculum take the same amount of time? Likewise, the quality of the course work provided should help you determine whether your practitioner is the right fit or not. Most legitimate certification courses require you to complete a Six Sigma project to receive feedback on your process improvement skills. If you practitioner offers no hands-on experience, they may be lacking in content quality. Additionally, another due diligence tip is to analyze the platforms on which these courses run. Is a practitioner using an up-to-date software for their projects? Is your practitioner providing the correct examples for you to practice; i.e. service industry versus manufacturing?

Slightly questioning and researching Six Sigma practitioners can easily determine if they are the right fit for your needs. Remember, Six Sigma is a business process improvement method that requires discipline, structure, and most importantly, due diligence!

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This doesn’t just apply to food. Many of us park in the same spot at work if it is available; we wear a certain style of clothing for most of our lives (given a slight change to keep up with the times), and even the songs we like are the same ones we liked as a child.

With that said, all of us humans have a core Six Sigma quality built into us — the desire to reduce variation. It seems to have been built into our DNA so that we didn’t even notice. In the Six Sigma methodology, variation is undesirable because it creates ambivalence and does not allow for consistent results or outcomes.

Routines and Habits 

We spend a lifetime creating those routines and habits because they work for us. It makes us more efficient because we remember what we have to do next. For people who keep misplacing their keys, one of the first solutions that the experts tell you is to always keep your keys in the same place. That way you know where your keys are.

Routine keeps us efficient so everything gets done at the same time, in the best way possible. If mac & cheese is a favorite food and it makes you happy, then by all means it would be a good practice to make sure you have it. Your inner child will thank you.

What this indicates is having a routine makes us efficient. Being a creature of habit seems to make us happy on some level, otherwise we wouldn’t keep doing it, and being happy improves the quality of our life.

Reducing variation and constantly improving quality — Six Sigma is in our DNA! Who knew.

Interested in learning more about Six Sigma for your organization or business? Learn more about our Six Sigma courses and services today.

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First – Ask Questions

If you believe your Six Sigma certification is not authentic, chances are, someone else in your program feels the same. Depending on your course’s structure, the first tip is to talk with our students about the program. Does everyone feel cheated out on authentic Six Sigma training? Were there any major indications of foul practice by the instructor? Remember, there is power in numbers. If a collective of participants believe the training is illegitimate, there may be actions you can take against said program. While legal actions may be difficult and expensive to entertain, you can always bring the attention of the falsely advertised program to the Six Sigma community. Word of mouth travels farther than most think!

Second – Assess Your Losses & Gains

Of course, it’s discouraging when you have spent countless hours reviewing material and projects only for your work not to be formally recognized. However, you will not loose all knowledge. Imagine failing an exam in high school. The grade alone does not reflect every detailed of knowledge and experience you gained through the course. For Six Sigma, it’s the same situation. While the quality of education concerning the business process may lack compared to other programs, there is still substance on what you did learn. Accepting being take advantage of can be difficult, but it’s important not to undermine what experiences you gain through each endeavor in life.

Third – Damage Control

Hopefully, you will recognize a reputable practitioner early on in your Six Sigma certification journey. However, if you have not been aware of the illegitimate practice and have invested countless hours and money into a program, the best thing to do is damage control. Assess exactly how much time, energy, and work you have invested in the program and what your losses are. Just like some business deals will fall through, not all Six Sigma training programs will truthfully advertise their program. If you believe you have fallen victim to gaining a fake Six Sigma certificate, your best option is to leave the program immediately. Then, consult other Six Sigma professionals you know well and discuss your situation. Whether these are work colleagues, managers, or counterparts, it’s important to discuss what has happened and clarify what experiences are worth keeping.

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