Six Sigma Certification - good for virtual assistant business? - Virtual Assistant Forums

VagabondetteVA · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

Hi all,

I've been toying with the idea of getting Six Sigma certified for a while. I spent many years as a Operations/Process/Efficiency Consultant so I have the background, I just don't have the keywords.

One of the services I'm planning on offering is project coordination assistance and I thought having the Cert might lend some legitimacy to that part.

Any thoughts? Does anyone else have this certification and has it come in handy?

Thanks!

Tess · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

Hi Amanda,
I am only vaguely familiar with Six Sigma - for those of us who may not know what it is would you mind posting back with a little info on what the concept is and why you think it might be a good addition to your experience?

I do know that Six Sigma is highly regarded in many corporate circles and I honestly don't think the pursuit of any certification is a negative, especially when it's something so widely recognized.

It's entirely possible there are othe VAs with this designation, it wouldn't surprise me, but I've not yet heard it mentioned.

VagabondetteVA · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

Here is some basic info on Six Sigma: http://www.isixsigma.com/sixsigma/six_sigma.asp

Basically it shows that you're certified in certain quality assurance procedures and know best on how to eliminate waste from production and procedures.

It's basically what I've been doing (figuring out how to save companies money) the cert just shows that I know how to follow a specific procedure to do so.

Tess · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

I think it sounds like a really valid designation to add to your bio - is it expensive to become certified?

VagabondetteVA · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

The certification test itself is about $300. I'd need to closely review the material and see if I need to take a class or not. A class could be expensive. However, it could be worth it in the long run.

Tess · #6 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

That *is* an investment, to be sure...
I'm equally certain you could run a fabulous practice without it - but it may well be a very good marketing angle.

I ran a quick search for 'six sigma 'virtual assistant' and easily found only one VA who mentions Six Sigma in her 'About' text. She does not appear to be certified. (I was hoping to find someone you could talk to about how/if the cert had helped them...)

VagabondetteVA · #7 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

Yes. I'm thinking that unless someone chimes in with a "having the cert made me $50k/year extra" type comment that this will go on the back burner for a while.

VBP · #8 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

I am definitely all for having the same certifications as my corporate counterparts; however, I agree that it is wise to be sure that certification is necessary to gain a competitive edge with regard to signing clients. My husband is well versed in that stuff, along with ISO standards and the like. I can ask him to send me information that I can pass along to you if that would be helpful! Just let me know!

VagabondetteVA · #9 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008

Thanks Doreen. I would really appreciate that!

StephanieP · #10 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Wow! I couldn't believe it when I was browsing through the New Posts and saw this...lol I've been Six Sigma certified as a Greenbelt since 2005, although I haven't used it since I got laid off. Honestly, I think it's good for anyone to have because the methodology can be used to improve just about any sort of process. When I got laid off, I was a Quality Assurance & Analysis (QA&A) manager, but dealt a lot with process analysis and improvement. As a greenbelt, I was the one that gathered the data, analyzed it, and created presentations and reports to show where there were breaks in the process and what portions needed to be improved on (mostly process time; total and parts). I was on my way to becoming a blackbelt before I got laid off. (In order to become a blackbelt you have to manage a Six Sigma project from start to finish. I had a project but a 2nd level manager stole it out from underneath of me because he was trying to get his blackbelt at the same time. Basically, I did all the leg work and he took all the credit

)

I still have ALL of my books and such and keep meaning to brush up on it because this is also something I've been toying with offering. If I do go this route, I'll probably have to become recertified as a greenbelt because I'm not sure that my certification is valid in the "real" world because I received my training from the AT&T School of Business (the company I used to work for) and not an outside vendor, so it was geared more towards telecommunications and services instead of widgets...lol However, the basic methodology would certainly still apply.

Anyhow, I say GO FOR IT!!!!! I haven't been keeping up with what's going on with Six Sigma in a while and I know that the "newest and greatest" things change from time to time, but if it's still the standard then it would be a good thing to have.

By the way, just to warn ya, the class (at least the one I took) isn't the easiest thing in the world and the two hour exam is grueling. I was almost in tears by the time I was done because I was positively sure that I failed, but I didn't.

Sorry for rambling, but you just hit on what used to be one of my greatest passions

StephanieP · #11 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

Originally Posted by Tess

That *is* an investment, to be sure...
I'm equally certain you could run a fabulous practice without it - but it may well be a very good marketing angle.

I ran a quick search for 'six sigma 'virtual assistant' and easily found only one VA who mentions Six Sigma in her 'About' text. She does not appear to be certified. (I was hoping to find someone you could talk to about how/if the cert had helped them...)

Chances are, at least from my experience, if she mentions Six Sigma, she's probably certified at least as a greenbelt. I could be wrong on this but at AT&T you had to be certified to be a key player on a Six Sigma project and to really know the methodology.

VBP · #12 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

I will see what I can turn up from my DH! I'll be back in touch once I have some information. Thanks!