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  • February 21, 2002 at 5:19 pm #28827

    vin
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    What do most companies look for as far as credentials when hiring Master Black Belts (e.g. training, yrs. experience, certifications, number of completed projects or training waves, etc.)?

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    February 21, 2002 at 6:09 pm #72385

    Sinnicks
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Vin,
     
    Most companies that hire Master Black Belts look for Black Belt certification, 7 – 10 years business experience in a field related to the hiring company’s industry, and 5 – 10 years experience in quality with demonstrated $$$ savings in leading improvement projects.  The MBB candidate should also have experience leading change and training employees using the Six Sigma body of knowledge.
    Hope this helps…
    Mark 

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    February 21, 2002 at 6:51 pm #72389

    Lisa
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Vin,
    If you can’t find a proven MBB outside of the organization, you may want to try looking for a dynamic invidual within your own organization/company to send to Black Belt training.  This person must have considerable industry experience, credibility, respect, and possess good analytical and project management skills.  This scenario will work particularly well within the insurance industry.
    Lisa

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    February 22, 2002 at 5:15 pm #72430

    vin
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    Mark, Lisa,
    Thank you for your responses.  One of my reasons for asking is because I am considering going for my MBA and also going for ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification.  Which one, if either or both, will be beneficial to me if my eventual goal is to be a Master Black Belt?
    Vin

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    February 22, 2002 at 6:21 pm #72433

    Erik L
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Vin,
    Both would be helpful.  By the time you are ready for MBB, I would question the value of the ASQ CQE.  I would more associate this as a springboard to BB.  The MBA would be most directly applicable.  As a MBB you have to balance the needs of the business with the technical needs of the tools and Belts applying them.  Business acumen is a pre-requsite so that you can strategically influence the business.  At this level, you’ll be hobnobbbing on a regular basis with Directors and VPs and assisting with the Balanced Scorecard cascading into MBB, BB, and GB projects.  You need to know how to translate the value proposition that our methodology delivers to a language that they can understand and get excited about.  The MBA will help you with that.  I’ve found it useful in my day-to-day activities.
    Regards,
    Erik

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    February 22, 2002 at 8:15 pm #72437

    Sinnicks
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Participant

    Vin,
    I agree with Erik on this one.  An MBA combined with the technical know-how of the Six Sigma methodology would be ideal.  We have to remember that quality is used strategically, and understanding the strategic aspect of things is what the MBA is designed to accomplish. 
     
    Mark

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    February 22, 2002 at 9:29 pm #72439

    John Adamo
    ★ 20 Years ★
    Participant

    I would agree with the MBA route.  As an engineer who obtained an MBA and then went through BB training, I find myself applying the strategic aspect and business learnings of my MBA teachings without even realizing it.  The MBA provides the business level awareness that the BB must understand to make the best recommendations for the business.  Given this, the technical skills that the CQE provides can be learned on the job.
    my two cents…

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    February 23, 2002 at 5:27 am #72458

    Mike Carnell
    ★ 20 Years ★
    Participant

    I’m going to take a minority opinion here. Neither one will have much affect on the MBB. There is a person out there who is and has been a MBB since 1995 without any degree. He honobs just fine at the C level.
    The CQE has several areas in it that we do not cover in most SS methodologies. It is recognized throughout industry. It can’t hurt.
    The MBA is a toss up. It depends on where you go and what the curriculum is.
    It depends on what you want to be. If you want to be a good MBB – get certified and get some experience. When you start rolling in the saving nobody checks your pedigree. Take some classes in ABC, Taguchi, Shanin, Lean, and Change Management.
    If you want to use it to more up in the organization and it will only be a stepping stone – do the MBA.

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    February 23, 2002 at 5:41 am #72461

    Mike Carnell
    ★ 20 Years ★
    Participant

    Most of us do not have the industry wide view a head hunter would have. They do it for a living and have experience with more than one company. If you would like I can give you the phone numbers of some headhunters who place a lot of SS types.
    You can check http://www.SixSigmaJobs.com as well. Pam may have some information on what people are looking for.

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    February 26, 2002 at 2:56 am #72523

    Kevin Hankins
    ★ 20 Years ★
    Participant

    MBBs must have advanced applied statistical education or the equivalent.  An MBA would rarely satisfy this requirement.  There are several university statistics departments that could serve up the minimum “3 Graduate level Applied Statistics classes with a B or better” that I suggest.
    Of course, this answers the “What do most companies look for” question only for regions that will be successful in contributing to a strong foundation for six sigma.
    —————————–
    What do most companies look for as far as credentials when hiring Master Black Belts (e.g. training, yrs. experience, certifications, number of completed projects or training waves, etc.)?

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    February 27, 2002 at 2:50 pm #72562

    vin
    ★ 10 Years ★
    Member

    If I had to choose between MS Statistics and MBA, which one would be more appropriate?

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    February 27, 2002 at 3:36 pm #72565

    Sam Mathew
    ★ 20 Years ★
    Member

    Go for the MBA.  A significant amount of the MBB’s time is believed to be spend working with upper management on change management, financial impact of 6 Sigma, and project management.  Unless you are looking for someone to specifically teach statistics and DOE I would recommend to go with the MBA.

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