Sunday, November 16, 2008

How to become a six sigma professional?

You must have some basic qualities to become a Six Sigma Professional(SSP). They are:
1) Self Confidence
2) Creating relationships
3) Motivating people
4) Learn Statistics, but don't speak statistics
5) Assertiveness

Self Confidence:
This is the first and foremost quality to become a SSP. You must never lose your confidence at any stage. In this field, people always try to degrade you. But you must always have the "Will" factor. You must close your ears when people speak bad about you and six sigma. But keep your ears open wide when some one speaks good about you. This is the easiest way in which you can withstand your self confidence level.

Creating Relationships:
You must be ready to speak to any person in your organization by breaking the glass. Build personal relationships by moving close with them. In the sense, you must try to know something about them other than professional. A very good example, just greet them at special occasions like Diwali by sending an SMS. In this way people will feel that you are giving importance to them and they will try and approach you themselves for doing six sigma initiatives in their area.

People who know me, generally say that I am personally not good at creating relationships. But I am too good at maintaining relationships.
To withstand as a SSP, I slowly developed that quality and now people say that I am good in creating and maintaining relationships.

Motivating people:
What is Motivation?
Many people have many views.
I see motivation as a fuel which rejuvenates my mind and thoughts when I feel giving up.
Motivation can be expressed in many ways; through words, giving position, money.
For me even a smile and a hug will motivate people at times.

I always say to people "Think 1000 times before taking a task. But once u take it, never give up until you succeed". Each and every win will take you one step further.

Motivate people to think about six sigma, initially they may not be interested. But keep on telling about six sigma at every occasion and slowly their attention will turn towards you.

Learn Statistics, but don't speak statistics:
I am not a statistician, but I slowly learnt statistics. It is not that tough as people say, if you understand the problem clearly then applying statistics is very easy. And the most important point is don't speak statistics too often. Because statistics is generally considered as a Jargon by most people. That is also one of the reason, why people are little hesitant to do six sigma. You learn and apply statistics to solve problems. Try to explain your statistical approach in a common man angle and definitely people will appreciate your work.

Assertiveness:
A SSP should not be aggressive, but he must be assertive. Think innovative and do something different from others. I myself will give my experience. I never blindly accept what others ask me to do. I challenge them if it is not meaningful (never mind if its your boss). But here comes the problem, if you are aggressive in challenging then everything is gone. You must challenge them in such a way that it doesn't hurt them and at the same time you explain your view to the point.


My Personal Experience:
In addition to that, I always try to do something which will add value to the organization and also to me. Don't keep your eye on a particular process or project. Then people will try to say that you are fit for doing Six Sigma only in that particular process or project. In this way, you don't get an opportunity to learn other process and technologies. Don't restrict yourselves, try and explore opportunity. Don't wait for people to come and ask you regarding any status. Be proactive and also react assertively to certain situations. You must be like a marketing or sales person to take six sigma to different people. You must have a passion towards six sigma to become a successful professional.

Above all this, your organization must also have the passion towards six sigma. If that's not the case, then you can do either of the two things.
1) Try to change your organizations view towards six sigma. Create a passion in the management level about six sigma. These are the toughest things to do, but if done then you are the most successful SSP in the world.
2) You can change the organization, by moving into a six sigma passionate organization. Where you can learn and contribute more.

Some Quotations about Six Sigma and Quality:

"Man without data is merely expressing an opinion"

"If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it." - W. Somerset Maugham

"Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of an intelligent effort" - John Ruskin

"Self confidence is the first requisite for achieving great things." - Samuel Johnson

"People learn most rapidly when they have a genuine sense of responsibility for their actions. " - Senge

Conclusion:

I hope that this post will at least give you an idea about a six sigma professional. Take all these points in to consideration when you wanted to change your career to six sigma. Don't worry If you don't have the above said qualities. The thing is you should at least have an interest to develop those qualities. If you don't have both, then you are choosing a wrong career.

Cheers!!!
Manju

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Go Green



I was very much inspired, when I saw this photo. This was one of the image, that campaigns for the "Go Green" Initiative.
So I just thought to share some information about this term to my knowledge.
Nowadays most of the industries, especially the IT industry are using the word "Go Green". What does it really main?, many people have a question on that.
My view towards it is, that when a company decides to "Go Green", then it is aiming and achieving dual benefits. The first one, ofcourse the environmental factor. It is very good and you are saving the environment. And the second one, is cost saving factor.
Most of the companies, are adapting this strategy as a very good cost cutting initiative rather than a Environmental factor.
Energy, Water & Paper are the 3 major factors constituting in the "Go Green".
So whenever you consume them less, then it means you are creating a greener environment. All the tree are somewhere interrelated with one another.
The first we can take paper, for producing paper we need to cut trees. So when you cut trees, u get less rain. So there arises water problem. And in turn, you produce electricity using water, which is again getting affected. And this way it is an iterative interlinked cycle. So we need to reduce the consumption and keep the society green.

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