At 6Sigma, our goal is to stand out from the competition. Specifically, the illegitimate practitioners. The only way to protect yourself from these scammers is to shine a light on the Six Sigma training industry. By comparing multiple Six Sigma programs, you can work out the pros and cons. Not to mention finding the best deal on the market. Here are a few ways you can compare our programs to others you’re considering.

How to Compare Different Six Sigma Programs

Whether you’re a novice Yellow Belt or an experienced Master Black Belt, Six Sigma training of any kind can create great opportunities. But finding the right training program for you can be a nightmare if you don’t know what to look for. The fact is, there are no clear guidelines on what makes the perfect Six Sigma program, although there are plenty of bad ones. Having no governing body to moderate its practices means fake practitioners can use Six Sigma to clean out your wallets. To avoid this, judge programs against the following factors.

Worthwhile Real-World Applications 

Improvement projects play a substantial part in Six Sigma certification. But there’s more to it than just theoretical study and simulated project work. But if your program helps you apply its theoretical content to real-world situations, then you’re onto a winner. With us, Six Sigma isn’t just bland theory. We apply Six Sigma concepts to real-life situations during training to keep our students on their toes.

Communication and Delivery

Communication is key in Six Sigma. This goes for training too. We pride ourselves on excellent training delivery and prompt communication, but that’s just us. How are other programs taught? Online study is certainly useful to those with tight schedules. However, class-based study is always more beneficial. You’ll be sure to get more one-to-one contact with instructors and develop a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of Six Sigma.

Value Over Price

Value is a key concept in Six Sigma and Lean principles. It’s also one of several subjects you’ll study on your program! Therefore, you shouldn’t be quick to judge a Six Sigma program on price alone. You get what you pay for isn’t always applicable, but higher prices generally equate to higher quality. Assess the contents of the course as well as factors like price. This will help you make the best decision. Remember, your training’s value will surely outweigh its cost. With our Six Sigma programs, you can rest knowing you’ve made the best possible decision.

Reviews and Reputability

There’s a reason people tend to prefer Coca Cola over supermarket own-brands. With brand recognition, it’s make or break, and discerning customers almost always go for the safest option. After all, why risk wasting money on what could prove disappointing, when they could have something they know and like? Bad reviews can do permanent damage to a brand’s name, and often for good reason. Pay attention to what other customers have to say. Furthermore, is the program or provider a recognized brand? How long have they been in business? Asking questions like these can provide eye-opening insights. Read our blog and check out our testimonials. You’ll be both pleased and intrigued to learn more.

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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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First, assess the price across multiple training courses.

For Six Sigma, there are three typical varieties of training courses. These include Certificate Courses. Certification Courses, and Training Courses. For a quick run down of each: a Certificate Course will usually only include the exam and, when passed, provide you with a certificate of completion. A Certification Course covers book material, real-life examples, the opportunity to work on a Six Sigma project, and a certification exam. Likewise, a Training Course usually only offers a classroom-like education, focusing on terminology and textbook examples. You will most likely not have a real-life Six Sigma project to work on and will only be tested on the theory.

Once you have determined what type of training program you are seeking, assess the price for multiple courses. If the prices are relatively similar, then it’s a safe bet they will be at a similar standard. However, if prices do vary significantly, move on to the second step: Course Assessment.

Second, review the course material.

While we recommend this step for training programs that vary in prices, it’s also beneficial to do so regardless of the cost. Any reputable Six Sigma training course will provide a brief syllabus of what you can expect to cover. It should Include the course hours, weeks, general topics, what reading material and programming software you need, and what projects (if any) you will work on. Depending on your course, each program should offer roughly the same amount of content within a similar timeframe. Likewise, if the program is more expensive, it should cover more material over a longer period of time. Less expensive programs, the opposite. Use this opportunity to compare programs, see patterns, and determine the exact “bang for your buck!”

Last, request and read reviews of the program.

When in doubt, always request reviews and testimonials from a training program’s coordinator. This step is similar to ones in our previous articles about ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘Asking for Testimonials’ and is rightly important. Feedback from former students can easily determine if a training course is worth the cost you are expected to pain. Many negative reviews from an expensive program is a clear warning sign to look elsewhere. Likewise, consistently positive reviews from a similarly priced program is a safer bet.

When searching for the right Six Sigma training program, the price and time commitment is a large factor in your decision making. Regardless of the certification level, follow these three simple steps to ensure you get the right value for the correct price!

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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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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.

The post Hacked: What to Do If You Have Bought a Fake Certificate appeared first on 6sigma.

Experience

When interviewing for a new position, you are sure to be asked about your past work experiences. What projects you managed, how you tackled difficult situations, and more, will all be assessed by your interviewer. Likewise, when searching for a Six Sigma accreditor, first look at what experiences you will gain. If a training program is only a few weeks long and offers no hands-on experience, chances are, they are a poor accreditor. Additionally, further warning signs of poor training would be a lack of communication with other students, reluctance to critique your work and progress, and no availability to work on certified Six Sigma projects.

Course Work

Whenever applying to a new course or training program, it’s important to see exactly the institute plans to teach you. Whether you’re seeking a Black Belt certification or just beginning as a White Belt, it’s vital to know what your course covers. Likewise, if you have access to the training program’s content, compare it to other programs. This allows you to assess their similarities and differences. This tip is a easy was to see if you’re facing a poor accreditor based on the lack of relevant content. Remember, the goal of a Six Sigma training program should focus on exposing you to the methodology, not just taking your money.

Past Users

When you shop online, it’s commonplace to read reviews of products you might wish to purchase. Likewise, search for reviews of past individuals who have taken the Six Sigma training course(s) you’re interested in. Are past students now senior managers at well-known corporations? Do they run their own consulting firm? Or have they become stagnant in their progress? Furthermore, if you’re interested in gaining a higher Six Sigma certification, sometimes the best method to find the right training program is to just ask your manager. Chances are, your employer has a list of preferred programs that they trust and send their colleagues to.

Your Next Steps

At the end of the day, finding the perfect Six Sigma training course depends on three things. They are your time limitations, your budget, and most importantly, your own preference. Six Sigma certification is an invaluable asset that will progress you within your career faster than most other certifications. Take the time to carefully find the right program for you and always be on the watch for poor accreditors!

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What Makes an Honest Practitioner?

First, the positives; what makes an honest practitioner? Certified Six Sigma will first provide evidence of their qualifications. Typically, this includes a certificate from a training program. For Black Belts, a four-week course is almost always mandatory. Additionally, their certification should be accredited from a formal institute or company. However, be aware that many fake accreditors will try and pass off their certifications as authentic! You can read more about this in our recent article, Fake Accreditation.

Second, your applicant should provide concrete examples of working on Six Sigma projects. For Certified Black Belts and above, full-time, project managerial roles are the standard. These professionals devote their time to assisting executives while managing the majority of core operations. Likewise, said employees will have experience training others, as well as mentoring Certified Green Belts along their own Six Sigma journey. Finally, they should be excellent communicators. From discussing business process improvements with management to managing customer relations, Six Sigma employees take pride in their roles and have a dire passion for constant improvement.

What is NOT an Honest Practitioner?

Now, the negatives; what to look for in a dodgy practitioner. Every year, hundreds of individuals claiming to be Six Sigma employees will submit phony resumes to employers, hoping to trick a recruiter into believing their qualifications. Yet, there are a few obvious signs that said applicant is not exactly who he claims to be. First, there should be not difficulty with asking concrete questions about the business methodology. Whether an applicant is beginning as a White Belt or is a Master Black Belt, all Six Sigma professionals have a base understand of the business process and can explain how and where to implement it.

Next, no evidence of Six Sigma projects is an obvious warning sign. Unfortunately, no governing body dictates whether a Six Sigma certification is legitimate or not. Because of this, employers expect examples of working on projects with other Six Sigma professionals as evidence of their qualifications. Finally, a dodgy practitioner will have no enthusiasm. As a Six Sigma professional, you understand the need for discipline, structure, and desire to better your business processes. Without this passion and self-determination, you can never truly be a Six Sigma employee.

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