What is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt?
I wish I could say that it meant I could beat people up with one hand tied behind my back; it’s actually just a title they give people who have been through the certification process and have used the methodology on actual process improvement projects. While I was at GE, in order to be certified as both a Black Belt and Master Black Belt, I had to complete 10 weeks of training, complete 20 projects and pass two exams. Master Black Belts are responsible for mentoring Black Belts and operationalizing GE’s strategic vision through the Six Sigma process. How does this methodology apply to the insurance business? It’s kind of surprising. When I started in the insurance business, I wasn’t sure what the connection would be. As I got into the processes, I started to see lots of similarities and opportunities. For example, one of the big products we produce is an insurance policy. We design the specifications, out-source the manufacturing process to an insurance company, check the product for q
