What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma provides companies with a series of interventions and statistical tools that can lead to breakthrough profitability and quantum gains in quality. Six Sigma goes beyond defect reduction to emphasize business process improvement in general, which includes cost reduction, cycle-time improvement, increased customer satisfaction and other metrics important to the company. An objective of Six Sigma is to eliminate every ounce of waste that can be found in an organization’s processes. Conservatively $500,000 to $1,000,000 bottom-line benefits can be achieved yearly on average for dedicated six sigma practitioners (often called a Six Sigma Black (or Green) Belt--a term originated by Motorola). These achievements are accomplished through Six Sigma projects that can average $75,000 to $175,000 in value through the improvement of cycle time, reduction of defects, cost reduction, etc.

What is a Six Sigma Black or Green Belt?
The team leader responsible for applying the Six Sigma process is a Black or Green Belt.

The difference between Black and Green Belts is in the level of training received and the number of tools available to be used in improving the process. For many organizations the Green Belt training is more than adequate to prepare the team leader to address the initial opportunities for improvement. For organizations whose processes are primarily transactional, Green Belt training is often all that is needed.

What is a Six Sigma Champion?
A Champion should be assigned to each project in an organization. The Champion is a member of senior management who is responsible for improving the organization’s performance, allocating sufficient resources, leading project selection, driving continuous improvement and selecting and monitoring black/green belts.

Six Sigma Training in Memphis
The key individual in a successful Six Sigma program is the leader/champion. The role of this person is the critical difference between Six Sigma and previous improvement programs. This person assures that the projects selected support the strategic goals of the business, removes obstacles to the completion of the projects, and drives continuous improvement into the culture of the organization.

It is necessary to train one or more other personnel in the organization in the details of the tools used to implement Six Sigma, but it is usually of little or no benefit to an organization to have someone trained in the tools unless there is a trained leader/champion leading the program. MSQPC will offer Six Sigma Green Belt training, but only to companies whose leader/champions have completed this training.

The training will cover the following topics:

•Six Sigma History and Methodology
•Roles in the Implementation of Six Sigma
•Statistical Fundamentals you must know
•Other tools you must be aware of
•Expectations at each phase of the project

Each attendee will receive a copy of Wisdom on the Green. The text for the Six Sigma Green Belt training will be Implementing Six Sigma by Forrest Breyfogle. The training is licensed by Smarter Solutions, Inc.

Contact:
MSQPC—The Quality Center
22 North Front, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38103
901-543-3528 or
901-543-3530
ldale@memphischamber.com