Need Expanding for Master Black Belts
Demand for professionals with Six Sigma expertise is growing. This data-driven methodology used to improve a product or process has spread beyond manufacturing and expanded into other service-oriented industries as well as government organizations around the world. And according to a new survey, the companies with the most extensive global operations are more likely to implement Six Sigma in all countries in which it operates. Executive search firm, A.E. Feldman reports that there is a strong need for Master Black Belts with proven track records of driving organizational effectiveness via Six Sigma methodologies.
Six Sigma is an overall improvement methodology that uses data to monitor, control, and improve a company’s performance. Specifically, the methodology eliminates and prevents ‘defects’ in products and processes. But the goal of Six Sigma is not simply to achieve greater quality, but to improve profitability. Although Six Sigma emphasizes producing better products and faster services it is done for improved bottom line results. Honeywell recorded more than $800 million in savings. GE produces annual benefits of over $2.5 billion across the organization from Six Sigma, and the methodology reportedly saved Motorola $15 billion over the past 11 years. According to iSixSigma, overall savings as a percentage of revenue vary from 1.2% to 4.5% depending on the company, which translates to roughly $360,000 - $1,350,000 in annual savings.
Companies with the most extensive global operations are more likely to implement Six Sigma in their locations around the world. That’s according to an iSixSigma survey of more than 1,000 Six Sigma professionals representing 67 countries. Specifically, Master Black Belts are individuals trained in the Six Sigma methodology that acts as the organization-wide program managers.They takeon leadership roles as keepers of the Six Sigma process and advisor to corporate executives. Their ability to think conceptually about strategic business issues is a key element to their effectiveness.
The iSixSigma survey also investigated cultural patterns associated with Six Sigma and found that there is a high level of uniformity in how the methodology is taught and used around the world - despite the diversity of various regions. Survey results also indicate that most people struggle with the same aspects of Six Sigma use, and projects take about the same amount of time to complete. Worldwide, the average duration for Six Sigma projects is 6.7 months.
While Six Sigma focuses primarily on quality, Lean Six Sigma targets speed. It is a business improvement methodology which combines tools from both Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma. By combining the two, the result is better quality faster. A.E. Feldman reports that the methodology is highly valued by a growing number of companies around the world.
In keeping with this practice, Kaizen is another practice that seeks to move beyond productivity improvement and effectively humanizes the workplace and teaches individuals how to identify and eliminate waste in business processes. Organizations that are using Kaizen, Lean and Six Sigma are attempting to integrate these tools. Executives must be able to determine which one to apply to specific tasks and how to combine these disciplines to address complex problems. Essentially, they must incorporate Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen into a total business improvement strategy.
