MBA Journal Six Sigma Black Belt

How Six Sigma Practitioners Should Give Presentations

At some point, every Six Sigma practitioner must give a presentation, whether it's targeted for process owners or a board of directors. Many people believe that Six Sigma means calculating statistics in front of a computer, but the truth is that everyone involved in Six Sigma Management spends more time interacting with co-workers than with computers. Unfortunately, most people have never learned presentation techniques. Here are a few tips on how to improve presentation skills.

Develop an Organized Presentation

• The following tips will help to deliver content with maximum impact.
• Minimize both the number of slides used and the amount of information on each slide.
• Organize the talk with a strong introduction, a body with supporting arguments and facts, and a strong close. Be sure to use transitions between concepts. And in writing the close, consider what the goal is for the audience: challenge them? Motivate and inspire them? Call them to action?
• When using bulleted lists, keep the sentences to one line whenever possible. It's acceptable to remove words such as "the" or "a" in this case.
• To create a more vigorous presentation that commands attention, use an active voice rather than a passive voice.

Build Professional-Looking Slides

• Limit the number of fonts within the presentation. It's best to use just two or three simple fonts such as Arial. Make sure the font size is large enough to read from the back of the room; 16-point is the minimum.
• Graphics will break up the text and capture visual interest, but don't use too many. Leave some blank space on the slides to make them more readable.
• Stick to a maximum of four to six complementary colors throughout the entire presentation. Make sure there's a large contrast between the background and the words to ensure readability. For instance, a light background requires bold, dark type while a darker background works better with a lighter font color.

Deliver the Presentation Confidently

• Know the content inside and out. Be prepared for questions at the end of the presentation, but don't be afraid to turn away a question which is beyond the scope of the presentation.
• Explain the slides; do not read them to the audience. Consider adding variety, supplemental information, or a deeper meaning which isn't shown.
• Time the presentation to make sure that the allotted time is not too long or too short. When in doubt, shorten the presentation. Some presenters like to have a countdown timer to help them stay on track or a partner in the front row of the audience who can signal at designated intervals.
• Speak with conviction to grab the audience's attention. Vary the intonation and pacing, and make sure to speak loudly enough for the entire room to hear clearly.

One final note: the best way to prepare for any presentation is to practice, practice, practice. It's often helpful to record the practice for later viewing and critiquing or to perform a dry run with a colleague who will give honest feedback.

By applying these techniques and practicing extensively, the chances of success will be greatly tilted in the presenter's favor.

Six Sigma is Not Just a Fad

Six Sigma is a process improvement methodology that can be used in any workplace and offered by executive education training facilities that are certified in teaching Six Sigma. Top executives of any business are responsible for setting up the vision for Six Sigma and the employees are responsible for implementing what was learned during the training.

So what is Six Sigma? The Six Sigma course goes over the Six Sigma philosophy and how to apply it to an individuals’ role in the work place on a daily basis. Six Sigma is used to improve the process of how a business is run, as it will teach participants how to properly identify what doesn’t work in the workplace and how to remove that from its system to improve productivity.

Participants of the Six Sigma training will learn organizational goals and the basic tools for improving how the workplace operates and how to implement those tools properly. Participants will also learn how to plan and manage projects and how to understand, for an example, the ‘voice of the customer.’ Each Six Sigma project within a company follows a series of events that has specific target goals, such as cost reduction or an increase of profits to focus on. More about that process is learned in the course.

The certification is obtained by an instructor-led training and can cost anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a thousand dollars, depending on who is teaching the training and where the training is being held.

Under the Six Sigma umbrella, one can obtain different levels of Six Sigma; for an example Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification is obtained by employees that have basic a basic understanding in Six Sigma Tools. Green Belt Certification is obtained by employees who have more of an understanding of Six Sigma and how to apply those understandings to their job duties. Master Black Belt certification is for those individuals who have mastered the Six Sigma philosophy and spend 100% of their time devoted to Six Sigma.

Six Sigma courses can typically last about 10 days in length and upon successful completion, means that one is certified in that particular belt.

There are many benefits to obtaining Six Sigma training, including increased customer loyalty, time management, employee motivation, team building, decrease costs and much more. Six Sigma is beneficial to any working professional in a business environment.

Problem Solving Methodologies

Problem solving techniques of the 1980's and 1990's have changed. With continual research to improve problem solving methodologies, professionals are introducing new ways of solving problems. New techniques are tested to see what works best, and changes are made to support more modern methods of problem solving, thus improving the effectiveness of the organization.

Strategies once used to solve problems were pretty much set in stone. They consisted of the following steps: 1.) Define the problem 2.) Gather data that caused the problem 3.) List possible solutions 4.) Test the solutions 5.) Define the best source of action. There were time limits set that caused stress for the participants and often resulted in finding that the solution they tried didn't work. Each step was followed before going on to the next, and many times participants were unwilling to keep trying because they were often faced with failure. This method did not allow the participants the freedom or the time to try different solutions.

New and different techniques are now being tested. Research continues, and new methods of problem solving are introduced. The old ways were kept in perspective, but time limits were lifted, failure is now looked at as part of the learning process, and strict rules are lifted, giving participants the freedom to redefine the problem, to gather more data, and constantly recalculate and reevaluate the problem. They are given greater flexibility when solving a problem. Organizational problem solving has changed; both the internal and external environment is evaluated, and what wasn't working before is either restructured or completely done away with.

With a continuous problem solving process in place, participants are less likely to avoid working on possible solutions. Once the need for change is determined, different solutions can be put into place. What no longer works is released and new ideas are tested. How do organizations know that it is time for change? By use of a variety of evaluation tools. They may utilize satisfaction surveys, test scores, safety records, complaints, and the high turnover rate of employees within the organization. Practices that used to support the vision and values of the company may no longer work and it is time for change.

Advantages To Online Six Sigma Certification

For over two decades, Six Sigma has been changing the business world works. In addition to the practical benefits of adopting lean principles, Six Sigma certification is a powerful resume addition, and caan lead directly to job offers and promotions. Many companies pay top dollar to hire in-house Six Sigma training for their staff. For those who don't have access to subsidized training, online Six Sigma certification is ideal. By shopping carefully, interested parties can find online certification programs that are equal to or better than any physical training class. These online programs are usually very flexible in nature, allowing workers to fit Six Sigma training into a harried schedule.

Although full Six Sigma certification costs money, Six Sigma education can be freely had on the Web. It doesn't cost a penny to start learning the basics of lean business principles. While it can be difficult to sort out commercial promotions from truly educational sites, the Internet contains many free resources for the budding Six Sigma professional. The world of online Six Sigma training is as broad as it is deep, providing Six Sigma training that is specifically tailored to any industry. During times of economic crisis, many professionals reflexively turn to training and certification for safety. While this is generally a wise move, only a few certifications offer real and lasting value in the marketplace. Six Sigma certification has proven marketability across many industries, making it the certification of choice for the conscious modern professional.

As time passes, technology that was once considered exciting becomes commonplace and pedestrian. In our own time, the World Wide Web has gone from a world-shaking innovation to a universally accepted tool. Unfortunately, far too many businesspeople only use the Web for communication and networking, while ignoring the broad world of Web certification and training. As we weather a time of change and uncertainty, we know more professionals will take advantage of Web certification, particularly Six Sigma certification. Without the ability to adapt and change, workers become captive to the whims and dictates of the market. Six Sigma certification is the key to stability and independence any any market climate.

Roles & Responsibilities

Six sigma operates on a hierarchy beginning with the Champion, the Master Black Belts, the Black Belts and the Green Belts. All of these groups work together to perform their different roles and the result is meant to be a successfully actualized six sigma project. What are the roles and responsibilities of each of these “belts?”

The Champion

The champion is generally known as the person who is responsible for authorizing a six sigma project. Because the Champion is the person who begins a project, this is also the person that is in control of the finances. Any high level decisions concerning the project that must be made will be made by the Champion. If there are any obstacles in the way of continuing a six sigma project, it is the Champion who will remove them.

Champions are the ones that will act as middle people between upper management and those below them. Black belts are given a considerable amount of autonomy in six sigma projects, but there are times when issues present themselves that they can’t handle alone. These are the times when the Champions will step in and take over for them.

Master Black Belts

After a project has been chosen by the Champion, Master Black Belts are the ones that solve problems that come up while the project is going on; when they aren’t capable of doing so, this is when they obtain help from the Champion. They are responsible for the Black Belts below them as they are the ones the Black Belts will report to in case of any difficulties. They must be able to easily adapt new strategies to situations when they are presented with the fact that an idea isn’t working as it was planned.

Black Belts

Black Belts are at the head of the team that will implement six sigma projects. In order to do this, they need to be able to identify everybody’s strengths and place those people in roles that will exercise those abilities. They fully understand the six sigma philosophy and they can use this knowledge to decrease non-essential activities that may be going on in the workplace. The Black Belts are the ones that try to make the work environment as productive as it can be.

Green Belts

Green Belts have been trained in six sigma, and they are capable of being put in charge of a project that is being overseen by a Black Belt. They may also lead an area of a project by themselves if they are experienced enough to do so in the areas of analysis, for example.

Understanding The Concepts Behind Big Business

When it comes to big business nothing stands out more or gets more attention then Six Sigma and the ways in which it has impacted the business world over the past several decades. When it comes to a system that provides structure, statistics, and a good foundation for customer satisfaction there is only one system that fits the bill.

For many years big companies resisted Six Sigma even when it was being touted by Motorola as one of the greatest new developments in the industry. Most companies shied away from making a change and from training their employees in this new management system. But a few did get on board early and by example these companies began to hit new heights with their businesses. They began to be recognized for achieving amazing levels of customer satisfaction and thus over time other companies wanted to know more about the 6 Sigma methodology and the ways in which they could put it to work in their own companies.

What was at first looked upon as a strange new way became anything but allowing companies to achieve new heights and profit margins with their business and allowing them to grow in ways that they could only dream about before. Improving customer experience and working as a team to make improvements in the overall manufacturing process allowed 6 Sigma companies to shine and the more companies that achieved success in this way the more that were willing to train and certify their employees through a Six Sigma certification program.

When it comes to big business Six sigma is a program that remained underestimated for a good long time. Even when larger companies were meeting and surpassing their goals with profits that were off the charts many were skeptical. Today if you look at a list of the companies that are utilizing 6 Sigma they are amongst some of the largest companies in the entire world. Companies like Honeywell, Motorola, Bank of America, and Home Depot are amongst a few of the many that have integrated Six Sigma principles to attain a higher level of business success.

Six Sigma combines old and new schools of thought and adapts them into formats that suit a wide variety of businesses in a growing number of industries. Classes are available both online and through a wide variety of universities throughout the world. It is one certification program that crosses continents and language barriers very simply because it so effective.

Which Six Sigma Belt is Right for a Management Position

Black belts have the demonstrated skills and knowledge of Six Sigma principles to qualify for management and project management positions. The individual certified as a Six Sigma black belt not only possesses skills and knowledge in Six Sigma strategies, but also the ability to put the principles into practice in their daily tasks.

Those who pursue a black belt certification have the leadership abilities that are necessary for a management position. The leadership skills necessary for a management position include the ability to motivate others, delegate responsibilities and effective decision-making. Six Sigma black belt training and certification focuses on these abilities and provides the basic knowledge to lead a project or improvement team.

The training for certification as a Six Sigma black belt is open to anyone who chooses to pursue the credential, but for those without management experience, obtaining a green belt is a good place to gain an understanding of Six Sigma principles and strategies before moving on to black belt training and certification. When training for certification as a green belt, individuals learn the basics of quality analysis and improvement techniques. The training provides the student with a thorough understanding of the tools and techniques needed to work on quality improvement projects. Moving up to a black belt training program provides an in depth study of quality improvement techniques and strategies.

Black belts in Six Sigma have a demonstrated ability to lead others and teach the philosophy to those just starting out in Six Sigma. Training for a black belt includes a study of team dynamics and the techniques necessary when assigning roles and responsibilities to team members for a quality project. In addition, black belts learn complex calculations and the methods for applying Six Sigma principles to any business situation. Black belt certified individuals exhibit the skills necessary for a position as a manager including coaching skills and the ability to motivate others.

In the job market, a Six Sigma black belt demonstrates to potential employers that the candidate has the desire to grow and learn. Earning the Six Sigma certification also shows employers that the candidate possesses the leadership qualities and skills to work in a project management position or as a manager. In organizations that have implemented the Six Sigma strategy to problem solving and continuous improvement, black belts are attractive management candidates who can step in and immediately understand the company’s approach to quality and improvement.

Facts About Six Sigma Black Belts

When it comes to the business world, many corporations now require their top employees or all who work in the office to go through a training process known as Six Sigma. As far as the creme of the crop in Six Sigma certification, the black belt is those who have acquired and learned the most knowledge from the training program. A black belt who has graduated from this program will be found as a leader who uses skills everyday in order to help ensure that all employees involved in a company work together to formulate strategies that will make the corporation run at its optimal level.

It is important to note that those who have graduated as a black belt are expected to be capable of constructing and taking charge of team tasks and projects regularly. These individuals have been trained in order to use the DMADV method of design when it comes to creating new products and devices. As the Six Sigma training program believes, the black belts who have already received certification then continually continue to learn by training others who are in the lower levels. Black belts look after the lower levels by making sure that they are getting the proper training to reach black belt status some day. The lower belts include three levels: green, yellow, and white. Black belts work with all three levels and give attention to each who is seeking certification.

Black belts are expected to take charge and establish leadership when working with a team. It is often very beneficial for those in black-belt status to also have a grasp of psychology, human behavior characteristics, as well as change management. It is also essential for black belts to have excellent communication skills when dealing with peers and other employees.

All in all, reaching black belt certification is a great honor and the role should not be taken lightly. Ultimately the Six Sigma program has been designed by a company in order to help businesses run at optimal levels. When leadership is used properly and communication established, it is possible for all to work together in a sufficient manner. If you are interested in the Six Sigma program or would like to read more about Six Sigma black belts, simply type these keywords in a search engine for there are plenty of articles available on the subject. Get started earning your Six Sigma black belt today and become a better businessman.

The Reasons Why Top Companies Are Turning To Six Sigma

Ultimately each company finds themselves turning to Six Sigma for a variety of different reasons. There are many ways in which this program can benefit businesses in a variety of different industries but the following are just a few of the aspects of Six Sigma that make it stand out above the rest.

1. TEAMWORK – As anyone in business will tell you if you want your business to succeed then it is important to make sure that you have everyone working together for a common goal. Six Sigma is a process by which everyone becomes involved on the level that they impact the company and no one in 6 Sigma is more or less important then the next person. It is a process by which everyone has input and this tends to make it more effective across the board.

2. CUSTOMERS – A business is only effective when its customers are happy ones. No matter who your product or service is directed at that person needs to be happy with what you are producing. Since 6 Sigma focuses on the end result and the customer experience it is very focused on this aspect of business, which is very important to the success, or failure of a company.

3. TRAINING – Another reason why this methodology is so wonderful and effective is because it offers your entire staff a comprehensive training program. In many management-training programs, only the managers receive training and then they pass it along to everyone else. In 6 Sigma, there are training programs available to those employees on all levels and classes are available in the classroom or online for those employees who can’t afford the time away from the workplace.

4. REFINEMENT – By far one of the biggest aspects of Six Sigma that makes it stand out from the rest is the way in which the results are carefully analyzed and refined as the company moves forward. There is not a long wait period between implementation and assessment and this allows for changes to propel the company forward in an expedited manner.

5. STATISTICS – Many companies find the statistics to be challenging to manage at first but once they begin to truly understand the basics of this form of analysis it becomes much simpler for them to get a handle on. Over time most companies begin to love this process because it helps them find answers to their problems and to further improve the results of their actions and ultimately the bottom line.

The difference between green and black belts

The difference between green belts and black belts in six sigma are many. Within an organization, there are people who decide which projects the company will devote itself to creating. These people belong in upper management. There are also those who will be responsible for performing the duties that need to be done in order to create the new products or develop new services. These people are in middle management and they are comprised of both black belts and green belts.

In companies that are implementing six sigma methodologies, the black belts are the part of management that execute projects that upper management has decided to begin. Specifically, the definition of a black belt is someone whose duties are strictly devoted to six sigma. Their work includes ensuring that six sigma methodologies are applied to all aspects of a project. On the other hand, green belts are not immersed in six sigma 100 percent of the time they are at work; they will help execute six sigma projects as well as perform the other duties they had within the company before six sigma was introduced.

As part of management, black belts are known as the coaches or mentors of green belts. They are the ones the green belts will go to when they need to clarify anything about six sigma processes that they do not fully understand. This is also a role that green belts will play for their team members who are not well versed in six sigma principles, because they have been trained in six sigma. They can also become certified after they have been identified by black belts who recognize their abilities in executing their six sigma duties.

Another big difference between black belts and green belts is how much of a commitment these two groups of people want to make toward completing a project. The black belts, who devote all of their time at work toward executing six sigma projects, need to have a high level of commitment to being a leader in the company. Green belts are different, because they are the employees who want to be members on a team who help each other to bring a six sigma project to fruition, rather than lead other people in the project. Their training emphasizes the side of six sigma that identifies problems a company is having successfully running their businesses rather than being the innovators of new projects.

Bringing Everyone Up To Speed Without Having To Shut Down Operations

Many companies overlook comprehensive training programs and seminars for the entire company for the most part because they just don’t understand how valuable these resources can be.  So many times companies emphasize training the upper level employees and management team and hope that they will convey this message to the lower level employees but this method of training and management doesn’t always work very well.

Over time companies need to realize that their first line of business is those lower level employees and it is important to not just have them trained by upper level management but by the professional classes that can help them to better excel in their role within the company.  Training classes that apply to upper level employees don’t always apply to those on the lower rungs as well.

Some of the best management training programs like Six Sigma for instance, gear their training program to those individuals on all different levels of the company and this allows everyone to get the information they need to help contribute to the success of the company from their role in the company.  This is the best way to create a cohesive team and a better functioning staff.

One consideration in implementing this type of training program must be the time that has to be invested in this training by all employees who will be away from their positions during the training period and many companies can’t afford to send all their employees off the premises for a period of time to master these principles.  It is for this reason that many training programs are utilizing classes online to train employees.  This allows employees to get in their training while still continuing to fulfill their obligations in the day to day running of the company.  This allows for all employees to receive the training they need without placing additional financial burden on the company.

Having A Commanding Presence Without Having To Be Bossy

One of the biggest keys to success in business by far is being able to be in control of your business without having to be bossy. While everyone likes a manager who is in charge and accepts responsibility no one likes someone who is constantly talking down to them and bossing them around. By far this is one of the biggest issues managers face the balance between being in charge and constantly commanding others.

When managing any business you want to command respect without shouting commands all day and by far one of the best ways to do just that is by creating a positive image of yourself in the eyes of your employees. They will want to trust the fact that you will put the responsibility on yourself and that you will also be willing to help with the actual work. It is imperative that everyone feel that they are on the team with their managers and not under them.

A cooperative team atmosphere helps to level the playing field and helps to create a cooperative attitude which is always to your benefit in business. It not only benefits the workers but also creates a cooperative attitude for those who are in six sigma management training because it helps to create a bridge between the lower level employees and upper management.

There are many things that managers can do to create a team atmosphere and increase their credibility amongst lower level employees. Some of the things include making themselves accessible and available to talk to and bounce ideas off of as well as to meet with employee regularly to help form a good relationship with all employees. Keeping open communication is by far one of the best ways for upper management to be more effective in running a business without having to consistently command respect from lower level employees.

Creating A Winning Staff For Your Business

In lean times many businesses are tempted to begin scaling back and cutting employees in order to save money. While most companies tend to hang on to senior employees while letting go of newer ones this is not always the best way to run a leaner business.

Lean business management means maintaining the best possible staff members and when you’re cutting back you need to make sure that you are choosing carefully who to let go and who to let stay. All things considered if you are going to function with a smaller staff then you will need to choose the most productive employees possible for the best possible effect on your business.

Scaling back in this way can be quite beneficial to your business and by looking at your employee records you should be able to determine which employees are making the grade and which one’s are failing miserably at their job performance. Of course, once you have narrowed down the number of employees that you need to eliminate and have narrowed down the options of employees to let go then you can always factor in seniority last if you need to make a decision.

Many companies find that when they cut back that they really don’t lose much of anything because when it is done in the right way for the most part all the company loses is the expense of paying additional employees and not much more than that. Elimination of wasted space within your business structure is never a bad thing even in good economic times.

Over all, there are many benefits to making cut backs within your business and while sometimes it can be uncomfortable to eliminate those employees who have been loyal throughout the years, determining their contributions to your business will help you create a leaner business that will be much more effective over time.

Black Belt Training and Requirements

Black Belt Training and Requirements

Black Belts are generally required to undergo a full four weeks of Six Sigma training in order to be prepared for their rank in the process and program. They also must have proven command of the subject matter by finishing an exam and a project. Black Belts are coached and supported by Master Black Belts, and at the same time coach and support the Green Belts in the organization. Most of the time, a Black Belt advances to the level of Master Black Belt or another high ranking role following the completion of the Black Belt assigned project, generally within a year and a half to three years time frame.

Master Black Belt Training and Requirements

Master Black Belt training is at once more focused and intensive. Master Black Belt training is useful for all Black Belts, even though not all Black Belts will find the potential within themselves to advance to that rank. This is because there are many different necessary skills, as well as experiences, that are required of a Master Black Belt in order to perform the exacting responsibilities inherent in the important role within the Six Sigma organization. This kind of additional training is commonly requested by those Black Belts who hope to reach eventual Master Black Belt status.

• Master Black Belt training programs covers a wide array of topics relevant to deployment of the Six Sigma protocols. Among these are the following:
• DFSS Methodology – covering both the product design and process tools, as well as the IDOV roadmap and specifically selected DFSS tools.
• Initiative Integration – teaches the means of reconciling varying initiatives within a company like Six Sigma, balanced scorecard, ISO9000, and Lean.
• Lean – comprises the approach to lean, along with the main tools utilized in both transaction and service organization scenarios, as well as manufacturing settings.
• Performance Management and Strategic Project Selection – Teaches the ways to turn a company’s given strategy into processes, as well as to ascertain the indicators that move this strategy forward. It also shows the best ways to build and make reports using dashboards.
• Project Leadership used Cross Culturally – There are some cultural issues that arise pertaining to implementing Six Sigma deployments in internationally operating companies. This teaches the ways of recognizing and dealing with them effectively.

Much more goes into Master Black Belt training for learning particular behavior and skills than only classroom or online instruction. Both applications of skills in real world operations, as well as practical exercises, are taught. Since Master Black Belt training is done over a number of different sessions, a plan of development for each individual participating should be set up in advance of the conclusion of the first such session. After this, Master Black Belt aspirants are told to work to improve in the specific areas that were highlighted within their individual plan. Later sessions challenge and measure them up against their own development plans.

Master Black Belt training commonly involves a number of personal development topics. These include:

• Consulting Skills – involve consulting at various levels within an organization to further the advance of a strategic improvement.
• Training Skills – Delivering particularly potent training sessions to every audience level, along with building training sessions that make the maximum impact possible and giving critically important presentations that keep the attendees attentions over periods of time.
• Coaching Skills – Mastering mentoring situations with the other Belt personnel, such as Green Belts.