Six Sigma Consultant
Six Sigma Career Overview
Six Sigma is a management strategy that has been implemented all over the corporate world. It began at the Motorola Corporation where its success garnered a great deal of attention, and is now used at Honeywell, General Electric, and about two thirds of the Fortune 500 companies.
Six Sigma was originally developed to improve manufacturing operations, but its concepts were soon applied to other types of business processes as well. The main goal of Six Sigma management is to eliminate defects (errors), which are defined as anything that could lead to customer dissatisfaction. They do this by setting up various management methods, including statistical methods, and creating hierarchies with the organization who can be considered experts in their specific fields. All Six Sigma managing projects follow a very clear set up steps, usually with the end goal being some sort of financial improvement.
All of these management concepts are applied to ensure the most efficient use of company resources with the minimum customer dissatisfaction.
Six Sigma Training and Education
Almost all people in this field have at least a bachelor's degree. Six Sigma jobs are available in a number of different sectors of industry, and one can enter into the Six Sigma program at both junior and senior levels. Six Sigma professionals have to be trained in Six Sigma methodology and processed by one of many Six Sigma certification organizations. Prospective Six Sigma consultants can train for a number of positions, from “Green Belt” and “Yellow Belt” to “Master Black Belt”. These levels of training are cumulative, and each higher certification offers increases in pay.
To work within the Six Sigma system, it is important to have an eye for detail and excellent recall. It is also essential for a good Six Sigma consultant to universalize the management concepts and apply them to concrete corporate situations to help the company run more smoothly.
Six Sigma Salary and Career Outlook
Due to the rigorous certification process and dedication involved, Six Sigma consultants are some of the best paid professionals in the industry today. Each level of advanced certification brings an increase in annual salary. The average “Yellow Belt” certified consultant brings in about $117,000 annually, while a “Black Belt” earns around $121,000. The most lucrative segment of the Six Sigma consulting world is the “Master Black Belt” and “Champion” levels, where certified consultants can earn as much as $150,000 annually. The salaries paid to consultants will also be proportionate to the size of the organizations they are advising, so if you want to maximize your earning potential it is important to cultivate relationships with top players at large organizations. As they say, it is not what you know, but who you know.
Six Sigma management principles continue to be implemented successfully in corporations across the United States. While the global economy is experiencing a contraction, the outlook for Six Sigma consultants is fairly good. As companies seek to reorganize and cut wasteful practices, they will look to consultants who are trained in a proven effective system of management to gain an advantage. Six Sigma is also an ongoing project, and consultants are regularly called back to corporations where they have started the process to ensure proper execution on an ongoing basis.
Conclusion
In a time when many companies are experiencing problems with management philosophy and vision and seeking to streamline their operations, Six Sigma consultants will be in high demand. If you enjoy working with organizations and corporations to help them reach their full potential as well as advance your earning potential through continuing education, Six Sigma consulting may be the right career for you.
Article Resources:
Aveta: Business SolutionsSalary.com
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
