Quality Progress - American Society for Quality

17016 Re: Re: Letter: Thoughts on Lack of Training in Latest Quality Systems?
Jennifer Kirley
Sep-17-03
I'm running off to the refrigirator for a magnet to tape on my head. Now that was funny--
I needed that, thank you. As for the one about stupid managers, I've never had one who
was that confused but like it or not, I would have to agree that SS can be used as a
marketing tool. Some very smart people feel that ISO is similarly exploited drivel. I
have stayed away from Six Sigma because it carries such a strange odor. (Think Cheech
and Chong: "Hmm, look like Quality...smell like Quality...taste like Quality--must be
Quality--good thing we not step in it!") I was once interviewed by a man at a locally
respected company, who was hired in his Quality Manager position because of a GE Six
Sigma certificate (his Bachelor's degree was Computer Science). He did not win high
remarks from a coworker I spoke with later. I hear he's gone now. Perhaps it is a sad
statement of how, after all this time, it is still so hard for us to make ourselves understood
by management. If this or that certificate will win their affection so we can get
something positive done, then fine, especially since outside of manufacturing all most of
them really understand is how to pronounce it. If I thought it would win me enough
points I would also do it, even though a CQE is said to be more potent. Even that hasn't
helped me find new placement, so now I'm wondering if I should bother recertifying
anymore. A penny for your thoughts on this, anyone! (It's all I can afford,
unemployment ran out years ago)
Jennifer Kirley CMI CQT CQA CQE
17013 Re: Letter: Thoughts on Lack of Training in Latest Quality Systems?
Carl Keller
Sep-17-03
Bill,
I am not sure whether continuing the string is value added or not, however the horse is
anything but dead. While ASQ certification may add some credence to the process, don't
kid yourself, this type of "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, this is the all
powerful OZ" approach is damaging to our profession. Some may find fault with TQM,
or ISO, or Baldridge, but they are evidence and data based systems/tools. Six Sigma is
pure quackery akin to strapping a magnet to your forehead to cure a brain tumor. The
only useful purpose of Six Sigma Black Belt certification is to find a job at a company
whose upper management is too stupid to realize it is a sham, or realizes it is a sham and
want a "BB" on board for marketing purposes. If that is your reason for the certification,
I say go for it. If I can help let me know.
Carl-