Growing-up in my neighborhood, if you had a black belt in karate you were ready for almost anything. Everybody knew about the training and discipline it took to achieve that goal. And the real tough guys gave you a certain look. You know, as if to say "I better not mess with this fellow - he's a black belt."
Unfortunately, the tough guys in my community never looked at me that way. Because the karate instructor told me, "You're too small for the program -- come back next year." Needless to say, I never did acquire my black belt in karate. However, I did become a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB). And I can tell you from experience, the training and discipline was just as rewarding. Moreover, the skills I developed were excellent!
I always get the same question from people, "What exactly is a six sigma black belt?" My eyes light-up as an array of thoughts race through my head. It's as if I can hear the voice of my six sigma instructor (a master black belt) calling me to attention. I would proudly say, "Six Sigma is a process that is focused on cost savings - it helps you identify customer critical problems that can affect the outcome of your business."
More specifically, it reduces defects or errors that are critical to your customer. There are many different variables that can impact the "Cost of Poor Quality" (COPQ). This is another name that we give to chronic waste. COPQ is very important because it ultimately distracts you from effectively serving your customer. Often, it affects your company's performance, overall customer service, revenues, products and bottom line results.
In a nutshell, Six Sigma can make a big difference in your organization. I used my black belt training to save our company lots of money. I applied six sigma principles to different projects and made recommendations for improvements and cost savings. I also conducted research that identified ways to reduce expenses and lost time associated with business travel. As a result, feedback from my project was included as part of our "Strategy for Cost Containment."
So -- what exactly is Six Sigma? It's a methodology that uses data and statistical analysis to measure and improve performance. As a general rule, six sigma targets three main areas: Improving customer satisfaction, decreasing the time it takes to do a job, and reducing product defects. Six sigma can be traced all the back to Carl Gauss who introduced the "Normal Distribution Curve" (also known as the bell curve). There are several ways six sigma can be used: Quality control, competitive advantage, return-on-investment (ROI), process improvement, customer satisfaction and long-term sustainability.
Okay - so what's a Black Belt? A black belt is the highest level of training received in the six sigma program. This level is only out ranked by a master black belt (the instructor) who usually conducts the certification process. You might recall the movie "Karate Kid" where the master instructs the learner using a specific process. Basically, the master teaches the learner how to concentrate on components of the process. In six sigma, that process is known as the DMAIC process. The acronym stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control.
When it comes to problems, a certified black belt will always consider using the DMAIC process. To better understand chronic waste and cost containment, there are several questions he or she will ask:
• What are the critical elements of your business or industry?
• Do you know what is important to your customer?
• Which inputs (Xs) are impacting your product?
• How do the inputs drive output (Y) cost?
• Do you know the root causes?
The role of a black belt is to develop, coach and lead six sigma project teams. They also mentor and advise others on methods and lean tools. Many certification programs require black belts to conduct an oral defense. He or she presents quantifiable evidence of a company project that shows significant cost savings. Most black belts are required to save at least $250,000. The oral defense is a two-hour presentation where the black belt explains the project details. A master black belt listens, asks questions and approves the project based on the evidence. Afterward, a review board receives the final presentation and determines if the candidate will be certified as a black belt.
Like almost everything else in business, the success of six sigma depends on the people who do the work. Team commitment is essential and the support of upper-management is critical. Going back to my earlier comments about how having a black belt made you ready for almost anything; I believe it did then - and it does now.
Becoming a six sigma black belt was a great learning experience for me. But I'll be first to admit, it isn't everybody's "cup of tea." In other words, some people aren't interested in learning all the specifics. Maybe they're not interested in getting a black belt -- but I guarantee you they are interested learning new skills. Six Sigma is comprised of various levels - white belt, yellow belt, green belt and black belt.
Six Sigma is a process and it may mean extra work (at first). However, the benefits are tremendous. Project management and six sigma work perfectly, together. These blended skills create a wonderful combination. I learned first-hand how this knowledge can help improve operations and enhance performance.
The part I like best is that it will increase the skills of your employees. Remember them - they're the folks who help make your company a success. And they are the greatest return-on-investment (ROI) you will ever have.
I owe a debt of gratitude to my former executive vice president. I'll go a step farther and say, "Every employee should be grateful to have leaders who will encourage them to learn new skills. Just as every leader ought to appreciate having employees who are eager to develop new skills.
As I said earlier, "The goal of Six Sigma is to focus on cost savings and help identify customer critical problems...." But really -- six sigma is a lot more. It's a skill that will help prepare your organization to compete in the global marketplace.
Bottom line: Invest in your people and encourage them to learn. Get them to stretch outside of their comfort zone. Help grow their skills. If you don't, they will translate your lack of involvement into words. No matter how you slice it, the words are the same as those of my old karate instructor: "You're too small for the program -- come back next year."
