By Crisglen John P. Villegas

MAKATI CITY, Philippines- February, 2017, Heinrich Cuesta received his Six Sigma Green Belt Certification after lowering down their team's Average Call Handling Time (AHT) from 17 minutes to 13 minutes in just the duration of four months! 

"...for those who have ongoing projects please don’t give up, there will be a lot of frustration, convert those frustration into challenges, make sure to follow your timeline and if there will be hindrance then improvise. POST IT’s are very useful..." Heinrich Cuesta, CSSGB
 
These four minutes that Hein was able to conserve allowed their team to handle more calls, thus helping them reach their SLA. 

Of course we wanted to share the story behind such results.  Which is why, we conducted a one-on-one interview with Hein so that he may share the details and some words of encouragement for those who are currently planning or taking their Six Sigma Certification - All you need to do is scroll down a little further, and all the details are there!

Go Ahead! Be inspired, Be awesome.

Q. What prompted you to take the Six Sigma Workshop? 
A. I already had an idea of what Six Sigma was since 2009 and I always wanted to have the certification. I knew Six Sigma Certification will give me a career boost and it did. And the main reason why I opted to take the certification is the flawless process improvement method that Six Sigma Caters to.

Q. What Prompted you to start your project?
A. I saw that our team had big opportunity when it comes to our Average Handling Time and I knew that if we can lower it down it will give a big impact to our scorecard and SLA since lesser AHT would mean more calls will be answered..
 
Q. What was your project about?
A.My project was all about the reduction of the team’s Average Handling Time.

Q. How was it like for you, starting up and executing your own project?
A. It was tough because time was of the essence. It was hard for me to pull out agents and set meetings since we needed our agents to be on the phone most of the time.​

Q. What was the impact of being a certified Six Sigma Green Belt to you as an individual / professional?
A. As an individual, being Six Sigma Certified boosted my morale and confidence. It helped me gain respect and got me promoted. As a professional the knowledge that I gained helped me solved problems within the team efficiently and in a timely manner.

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.  Don’t hesitate to take the certification, for those who have ongoing projects please don’t give up, there will be a lot of frustration, convert those frustration into challenges, make sure to follow your timeline and if there will be hindrance then improvise. POST IT’s are very useful.

Q. Is there anything else that you'd like to share about your experience?
A. ​Get everybody in your team involved, when brainstorming, no answer or opinion is wrong nor stupid…

By Crisglen John P. Villegas

MAKATI CITY, Philippines- February, 2017, Ace Angelo Pabalan, Senior Quality Assurance Analyst at FactSet Philippines, Received his Six Sigma Green Belt Certification after increasing "Project Resolution Rate" from 7% to 51%.

In Mr. Pabalan's workplace, they have a process where an employee can raise an idea related to their process, application, or support functions. These ideas then take an average of 44 days to move and be implemented. After completing his project, the average count of day before an idea is rolled out has been halved and project resolution rate rocketed up to 51% - a 44% leap in less than a year!

"...Being certified took me to the next level, which is training our local employees with Six Sigma concepts and philosophies. It is satisfying in a sense that I serve a greater purpose not just instilling new knowledge but helping them work on their own projects as well..."- Ace Pabalan, CSSGB


Of course we wanted to share to more Filipino professionals the story behind such results.  Which is why, we conducted a one-on-one interview with Ace so that he may share the details and some tips for those who are currently planning or taking their Six Sigma Certification - All you need to do is scroll down a little further, and all the details are there!

Go Ahead! Be inspired, Be awesome.

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

5 years ago, our in-house trainers in my company have introduced the Six Sigma philosophy to us. One of my close friends encouraged me to take up this workshop outside the company to get myself certified. I wanted to pursue further study related to my interest and my line of work and this was it! 

Q. What Prompted you to start your project?

I already started my initial project right after we finish the workshop and the examination but due to roadblocks related to my stakeholders, I need to close it out. A year after that, I moved to a new position in my company and I attempted for a second project. I made sure they see the benefits of my new project by working on the mistakes I did on my initial attempt.

Q. What was your project about?

We have a process where an employee can raise any idea whether it is related to a process, application they are using, or support functions. From the time I started doing the project the resolution rate has an average of 7% for a quarter. In effect of the low-resolution rate, it takes 44 days for an idea to be rolled out or implemented. 

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

It was easy as the handouts was very helpful for me in order to prepare my storyboard. Getting the approval of both the local and offshore sponsors was relatively easy, as the process that I worked on needs a significant improvement. The only problem I had was the manual collection of data, which took me at least a month to finish.

Q. What was/were the key element/s that led to the success of your project?

My sponsor played a key role as they supported me to get the buy-in of all assistant managers affected by my project. From there getting data, implementing the action item, following up was easy on my end. Making sure your sponsor understand what you are doing will help you be in control of the progression of your project.

Q. What was the impact of your project to your company?

The impact was significant because from an average of 44 days before an idea is implemented, it was reduced to more than half, which was at an average of 18 days. Although we do not have the written feedback, we have been receiving verbal feedback from the employees that are now satisfied with the turnaround of their entries and they are willing to share out more ideas for the coming months. Even if there is no direct financial impact for this project, faster implementation of employee ideas lead to a more efficient process and better in-house applications.

Q. What was the impact of being a certified Six Sigma Green Belt to you as an individual / professional?

Just completing a six-sigma project was already a huge accomplishment as our senior management wanted to have the team leaders and assistant managers to take lead in their respective teams and department in creating a Six Sigma project of their own. Being certified took me to the next level, which is training our local employees with Six Sigma concepts and philosophies. It is satisfying in a sense that I serve a greater purpose not just instilling new knowledge but helping them work on their own projects as well.
 
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?

I did everything on my own, until such time I sent my storyboard to my mentors Rex and Erwin. They had a lot of comment for revision on my end. I told myself I should have gone through with the consultation with them along the way, which could ease the progress of my project. Always remember the Six Sigma Philosophy “We don’t know what we don’t know”. Data is your key in progressing with your project. The best advice I can share with you is to dedicate a specific time in a week/day where you focus your effort doing solely your six-sigma project. Give at least 3-6 hours in a week. If you have a job and you worry this will eat up your time, learn to manage it. This will not hurt you from your daily work routine. It would actually help you in the end. Always tell yourself there should be no excuses. Roadblocks will always be there, the stakes are high and it is not going to be easy. It is up to your willingness and effort if you want to progress and be successful with what you do.

Q. Is there anything else that you'd like to share about your experience?

This program inspired me to move to our Quality Assurance department handling process improvements of different department. Being the first one to complete a Six Sigma project for our company here in Manila, they look up to me as one of the ambassadors in promoting six-sigma culture. I am up for the next challenge to make Six Sigma a culture and have that mindset instill in every individual of our company. Before I transferred to the Quality Assurance department where I am in right now, I had a long conversation with the VP from my previous department. He once said to me to “Push yourself to a point that you don’t need to ask anyone’s help to finish what you are doing. If you don’t know what to do, take a moment to understand why and do something to overcome it”

MAKATI CITY, Philippines- February 3, 2017, last day of Six Sigma PH’s Belt class (Wave 21), Dick Micah Galeria, gained his Six Sigma Green Belt certification after reducing Process Cycle time by 2 days. Originally 8 days, this reduction resulted to improved CSAT rate, commendations received from clients, an annual cost savings of 287K Pesos, and zero escalations for the whole four months!

"Do not be the “I know ALL” facilitator. Always remember that your goal is set the right path and help team solve the problem." Dee Galeria, CSSGB

Want to know more? Click here.

Be Inspired, Be Awesome!

​SIX SIGMA PH
"Our mission is to make Six Sigma SIMPLE & PRACTICAL to make it EFFECTIVE."
www.6sigmaph.com | ask@6sigmaph.com | +632-357-6830
#SixSigmaPhilippines

Shougi A. Makafi, receiving his Six Sigma Green Belt Certficiation from Rex Tuozo, "The Six Sigma Guy"

By Crisglen John Villegas

MAKATI CITY, Philippines- March, 2017, Shougi A. Makafi earns his Six Sigma Green Belt Certification after reducing the average monthly incident rate of Phlebitis - the infection of veins due to high concentrated medications or fluids; where the complications may be caused by nurses to patients when either giving medication, or infusing intravenous fluids.

"As individual, I feel confident to improve my work in different parts, and as I am promoted as regional nursing director, I may implement this tool as well in different hospitals. Also, people around me felt good and optimistic that I can improve nursing work."  - Shougi Makafi, CSSGB

Based in Saudi Arabia, it's quite fascinating that Shougi intended to get Six Sigma trained while visiting the Philippines. Previously having the position of "Nurse Educator", after having his Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, Shougi got promoted as the Regional Nursing Director due to the positive outcomes of his project. Being of higher position than before, he can now implement his learnings and project in different hospitals in his country.

Because we want more people to be inspired by Shougi's story, we conducted a one-on-one interview with him to gather further details regarding his journey as he trained here in the Philippines, flew back to his homeland, and conducted & implemented his Six Sigma Project - All the details served to you fresh from Saudi Arabia!

Q. What prompted you to take the Six Sigma Workshop? 
A. It is an organized development tool where I needed to improve my skills on.

Q. What Prompted you to start your project?
A. It is part of my daily work in nursing, and this project title is crucial to my work therefore I decided to use what I have learnt immediately and implement it. 

Q. What was your project about?
A.There are different complications related to insertion of iv cannula. Phlebitis is the worst complication among them. Phlebitis is the infection of veins due to high concentrated medications or fluids. It is the complication where nurses may cause it to patients when either giving medication or infusing intravenous fluids. Although it is a routine work, nurses usually forget to keep eye on it because of work overload.

Q. How was it like for you, starting up and executing your own project?
A. The topic itself was not an issue but as I am implementing a new tool where I just learned I had some worries if I am doing it the right way but it turned perfectly. 

Q. What was the impact of being a certified Six Sigma Green Belt to you as an individual / professional?
A. As individual, I feel confident to improve my work in different parts and as I am promoted as regional nursing director I may implement this tool as well in different hospitals. Also, people around me felt good and optimistic that I can improve nursing work. 

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.If you are thinking of it, don’t think too much, it is hard until you are certified but easier when you go back to your work, you will feel that there are different areas to improve in short "Just do it"

Q.  Is there anything else that you'd like to share about your experience?
A. Well, what you learn in class will work as guide but real learning is on life experience. 

by Crisglen John Villegas

MAKATI CITY, Philippines- February 2017, James Lawless earns his Six Sigma Green Belt Certification after reducing error count in audit samples, leading to faster pull up time which ultimately leads to an annualized cost savings of P1,313,567.16.

"We don’t grow when things are easy. We grow when we face challenges." - James Lawless, CSSGB

For more Filipino professionals to know how James successfully pulled off his green belt project, and how it led to a whooping 1M+ yearly savings, we've conducted a one-on-one interview with Mr. Lawless himself, and all it needs is little scrolling to gather all the details!

Go ahead! Be inspired, Be Awesome.

Q. What prompted you to take the Six Sigma Workshop? 
A. Since I got promoted as Quality Specialist from my previous employer, I’ve always wanted to take the 6Sigma Training. It always fascinates me seeing these 6Sigma Practitioners. They look very well respected and a valuable member of their organization.

Q. What Prompted you to start your project?
A. I, myself has always been keen to details and I like the mentality of working smart rather than working hard. So, I always find a way how can I make things easier. This led me to my 6Sigma Project, which is automating our Quality Audit Sampling Tool.

Q. What was your project about?
A. My project was about Quality Audit Sampling Tool Automation. For the past 2 years, our team had been manually pulling the Weekly Audit Samples from our tools. Automation did not only speed up the time spent pulling samples, but also had a significant decrease in pulling invalid audit samples. 

Q. How was it like for you, starting up and executing your own project?
A. It took more than 6 months, several weekends and holidays to finish this project. At first, I collected all the data needed to present to my Sponsors and Stakeholders of this project. It was the easy part. When it came to convincing the other teams, it was burdensome. Setting up the meetings with different project members was challenging. Eventually, after several sync ups of explaining the benefits of this project, I persuaded them and got the buy-in to help.

Q. What was the impact of your project to your company?
A. All Quality Specialist are now able to pull their own audit samples within 5 minutes or less. We saved 7hrs. & 15mins which had a Financial Savings of P109,463.93 a Month or P1,313,567.16 per Year.

Q. What was the impact of being a certified Six Sigma Green Belt to you as an individual / professional?
A. Attention and Respect.
Management, colleagues, co-workers and even off site peers are now coming up to me whenever they face challenges in their process, reports etc.

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. We don’t grow when things are easy. We grow when we face challenges.

MAKATI CITY, Philippines- Rex "The Six Sigma Guy" Tuozo, Six Sigma PH's Six Sigma Master Black Belt awarded Six Sigma Green Belt certification to Luis Penson, VP Marketing and General Manager of CTM Ventures and Equity Group Inc.  operators of Hyundai and Suzuki dealerships south of Metro Manila. 

"It will never be easy because the prize is really expensive. Never lose hope, Focus on the Goal and when you feel lost, always go back to the problem statement. Always ask questions to the other Blackbelts and Greenbelts, and if you’re not trained yet, enroll now!" - Paul Flores, CSSGB

Want to know more? Click here

Be Inspired, Be Awesome!

​SIX SIGMA PH
"Our mission is to make Six Sigma SIMPLE & PRACTICAL to make it EFFECTIVE."
www.6sigmaph.com | ask@6sigmaph.com | +632-357-6830
#SixSigmaPhilippines

By Crisglen John P. Villegas

MAKATI CITY, Philippines- March, 2017, Jan Ernest Go, President and CEO of Ernest Logistics Corporation, gets his Six Sigma Green Belt Certification after reducing average Lead Time arrival in shipment deliveries from an average of 11 days down to 2.8 days. This drop in shipment time allowed the company to avoid storage fees, liquidated damages, other penalties, and an annual cost savings of approximately 1.184M Pesos.

"...As a Company Owner, it is fine with or without the title. What really matters to me most is the value that this program has taught me, has educated me with. Because only through that, that our Company can actually grow, and unleash its true potential" - Jan Ernest Go, CSSGB

On the day of his certification, Jan left a brief testimonial about his project to inspire the graduating greenbelt class. Discussing the problem, the solution, how the solution became viable, and the results that came after it.

Of course, such inspiring and insightful stories should not be caged in the classroom! That's why we conducted a one-on-one interview with Mr. Go, to gather further details - specially how he did it, so that more and more Filipino professionals can be inspired. All you need to do is scroll further in this article and all the information will be yours!

Go Ahead! Be inspired, Be Awesome.

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

A. At that time, I was in the middle of a QMS project for our Company, which was design and implementation of Business Processes. The value I saw in Process Development/Improvement lead me to learn more about the program, and better educate myself since I am a firm believer that Systems/Processes can help my Company scale up

Q. What Prompted you to start your project?

A. Mainly the desire to prove that our Company can overcome these issues, and in addition, the reality of these potentially damaging losses in the form of Storage Fees, Demurrage, and currently implemented Liquidated Damages that are being charged against us.

Q. What was your project about?

A. It was about resolving Transit Time issues for a Customer with shipments to Iloilo. On a normal occasion, we were experiencing a Transit Time or for some, Lead Time of about 11 days from arrival in Iloilo to delivery to the Consignee, when it should only take no more than 7-days from pickup in Manila to delivery in Iloilo for the entire door-to-door movement.

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

A. Value at its best. Since I am the kind of person who wants things get done immediately, what I learned with this project, although results showed at a fast pace than expected, that patience is also an important lesson that need to be applied in projects such as this one. We cannot just easily jump into conclusions without further validating theories, especially without the presence of data.

Q. What was/were the key element/s that led to the success of your project?

A. Make sure that your Project Sponsor is of the same wave length as yours. This will allow you to maneuver through the change management during the entire course of your project. You may have the best analysis, valuable data, greatest solutions, but if none of these can realistically be implemented because your sponsor does not approve of these, then the project may not lead to anywhere productive for you.

Q. What was the impact of your project to your company?

A. Since the idle time had been significantly reduced in destination, it suggests an annualized savings of about ₱1.184M as a result of avoided storage fees, liquidated damages, and other penalties.

Q. What was the impact of being a certified Six Sigma Green Belt to you as an individual / professional?

A. I am actually not really after the title. On the side the title brings a sense of achievement, but as a Company Owner, it is fine with or without the title. What really matters to me most is the value that this program has taught me, has educated me with. Because only through that, that our Company can actually grow, and unleash its true potential

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. The difficulty in accomplishing any green belt projects is second to none. It is in reality difficult in all angles, but in the middle of this challenge must lie the commitment to attain the goal and not only to be interested because of the title. Be committed to a project that will give you value, because interests at some point subside whilst commitment will keep you moving forward.

Q. Is there anything else that you'd like to share about your experience?

A. The amount you spend for this program, is nothing to the value you’ll get if you’re truly committed to self improvement.