Originally Published 1.3.2017

MAKATI CITY, Philippines- November 25, 2016, Last day of Six Sigma PH’s MEGA Green Belt class, Josie Nablo, gained her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification after bringing a mega revenue increase of 3,189,900 Pesos (65,100 USD) to OSM Maritime Services.

On the day of her certification, Josie shared a short testimonial in front of the graduating Green Belt class. Inspiring the current class to do their project as early as possible to, as she said, maintain the fire in their bellies, which will help them utilize the tools and learn from the program properly. She shared a few tips on how to overcome struggles, how to sell your project so people will support it, and a few key things that can help as one goes deeper into completing his project.

Of course, such learnings from a certified individual must not be kept a secret, it needs to be shared with everyone! So if you’re one of the passionate Filipino professionals determined to achieve growth and improve your credentials, then you’re at the right place! Further, this article is our one-on-one interview with Josie, where you can learn a couple of things that can help you in your own journey.

Go ahead, Be Inspired!

     Q. What prompted you to take the Lean Six Sigma Workshop? 

     A. As a manager, part of my task is to make sure that my department constantly evolves and improves, I can only guide my team if I have this formal training which is the reason why I took the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

     Q. What Prompted you to start your project?

     A. For three years, It has always been my dream to attend this certification Program, at first, I was waiting for the company sponsorship, however, It did not happen based on my set waiting period. I then decided to pursue it and took the workshop last April 2016. 

     Q. What was your project about?

     A. My Project is about the reduction of processing lead-time of purchase requisition from 9 days to 6 days.

     Q. What was it like for you, starting up and executing your own project?

     A. It was difficult at first because there are a lot of possible causes of the problem. Also, factual data are very general. I can’t even do a Pareto analysis to further analyze the causes of the problem.

     Q. What were the results of your project?

     A. To address the concern regarding data availability and to come up with the real cause of the problem and actions to be done to solve this, I have created a team that comprises representatives from different teams. We discussed problems and possible solutions and came up with the best one. We have implemented the action items and target to have 100% completion end of 2016.

     Q. What was the impact of your project on your company?
     A. Non-Financial:
1. Better service to the owner/ OSM Technical as part of OSM Ship management.
2. Motivates employees to work hard as their personal development is being addressed.
3. Avoidance of wrong supply, and the cost and hassle that goes with it.
4. Achieve our 2016 KPI

     Financial:
1. Increase productivity thus each Purchaser can accommodate approximately one half (0.5) additional vessel each Purchaser at USD575 X 18/2 = USD5,175 per month or USD65,100 per year.
2. Gain additional rebates from contracted suppliers

"That's one reason why companies give high value to Certified Lean Six Sigma individuals. One does not just attend a program and receive his certification but has to successfully apply and show proper use of tools and methodology with actual work processes. One has to earn his Lean Six Sigma certification,"- Rex Tuozo, “The Six Sigma Guy” 

     Q. What would be your message to those who are currently taking/planning to take the Green Belt Program or those who are currently conducting their own projects?
​
     A. My message is as follows:
     1. Immediately start your project so you can maintain the fire in your belly to finish your project. The longer you procrastinate the lesser the chance you can finish your project as you might forget some of the discussion and you might have different priorities later on
     2. Learn also how to be a good sales manager- you should be able to sell your project to the management by focusing on benefits.
     3. Remember that we are project managers - we don’t need to know everything. We just need to compose a team that will be able to help us find the root cause, generate a detailed report, and agree on the action items later on.
     4. Ensure to reward and recognize the members of your project team.

     Q. If there’s anything else that you’d like to share about your experience, what would it be?

      A. Even before I started attending this GB workshop last April 2016, I already had the ënd result in my mind - to be able to become a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in 2016. As this is under my personal account, I need to do the project after office hours and during weekends, get support from my colleagues, and reward them from my personal pocket as well but that does not hinder me from staying focused on my objective. Luckily, I was able to achieve it.

​To be certified in Lean Six Sigma, one has to complete an actual Lean Six Sigma project and apply process improvement tools, methodology, and techniques learned in class. "That's one reason why companies give high value to Certified Lean Six Sigma individuals. One does not just attend a program and receive his certification but has to successfully apply and show proper use of tools and methodology with actual work processes. One has to earn his Lean Six Sigma certification," Tuozo said. "If you attend our Lean Six Sigma programs, unlike other training providers, you get continuous support after the program, for no additional cost. You'll be assigned a Black Belt to help you complete your project," Tuozo added.

"If you attend our Lean Six Sigma programs, unlike other training providers, you get continuous support after the program, for no additional cost. You'll be assigned a Black Belt to help you complete your project," –Rex Tuozo, “The Six Sigma Guy”

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