Should You Get a Lean Certification in 2023 (Nope! Let Me Explain).

In this video...I share how a question I get all the time: should you get a lean certification. I also answer 3 questions from subscribers and how long it takes to earn 6 figures based on recent research.
Kaizen Blueprint: www.learnkaizen.com
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[@GeonQuuin]

I'm one of those folks who landed a CI Analyst job without a degree and certification. The job posting only asked for experience in Kaizen and continuous improvement. On my resume, i didn't even mention lean six sigma. I just showcased my knowledge of implementing 5S+ and how to use problem solving tools like DMAIC framework, Value Stream Mapping, Process Mapping and Decomposition. During my interview, I talked about how I used DMAIC to solve an issue and showcased the impact. I also talked about my experience in facilitating a Kaizen event and how I prepared for it and followed up on the action items that came out of the Kaizen event. Just like Brad said, you just gotta show the value you can provide to the employer and that you know how to use problem solving tools to provide those value.

[@letsjam3336]

Hi @GeonQuuin. This may come as an odd request, but is it possible to glance at your resume (obviously without your personal info on there). I have a lot of experience (16+) years, but am not getting any callbacks from recruiters and I think it IS because I'm not properly showcasing my knowledge. I'd like to see what I can improve on.

[@GeonQuuin]

I'm just checking in again after my first year of experience working in CI. First off, I want to say that I didn't pursue any certifications or even a degree, but I did a lot of self-studies specifically on coaching and data analytics. I think these two skills are going to be the most highly sought after tools that you want to make sure are in your toolbelt. I think showcasing these two skills and my experience successfully, and unsuccessfully, facilitating kaizen events are the reasons why I landed a 100K TC role. I'm starting in June 3. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I guess I'll see you guys again next year!

[@gordon_bradley]

Chad, thanks for the video and insight/advice. I'm in the military with about 6 years left until I retire, I found LSS a few years ago when I did a GB course and eventually got a GB cert through the military by completing a project showcasing concepts of LSS and improving a process. From there the subject matter stuck with me and I wanted to continue learning and using more methodologies and I found your channel. Since then I've become known as a process improvement guy in my organization and have been put in positions to improve processes within my organization. Since I'm somewhat limited in what I can do while still serving I'm now finishing a MS in project management, eventually plan to gain certifications such as PMP, Agile management, Srum, etc. and work towards a BB certification. I know this video mentions that those certs arent necesarry in finding a good job, but I figure it will help keep me invovled with gaining a deeper understanding and proficiency in these methodologies until I retire and can search for my next career. Thank you for your videos and assistance thoughout the past few years helping understand lean.

[@learnkaizen]

Thanks, Micheal. I sincerely appreciate your support. It’s perfectly fine to get a certification..the good ones will force you to learn the content through a practical lens… then you just have to put it into practice. Keep pushing! Always Here if you need anything.

[@GeonQuuin]

Chad my guy! This is crazy, but with just 1 year of experience working in CI, I managed to land a 100k TC position in CI!

[@learnkaizen]

That’s fantastic! I hope the channel helped!

[@GeonQuuin]

​Definitely! I should also add that in the 1 year I had working in CI, I never pursued a belt or a degree. I just showed the value I can deliver and that I know the solutions and how to implement them for their problems.​ @@learnkaizen

[@GeonQuuin]

@@learnkaizen Definitely! Especially the tips on leading kaizen. Thanks again Chad!

[@learnkaizen]

You’re the proof! Thank you..just one small correction: my name is Chad…😊

[@GeonQuuin]

I'm so sorry I misspelled your name!

[@learnkaizen]

No worries!

[@jameshamilton3348]

Thanks for another great video. I guess this was pretty much what I was expecting you to say. I've not done much work on Lean before but it seems like there's some crossover. Fishbone diagrams, root cause analysis and Kaizen are all being bundled into what is now called Lean Six Sigma. Which tools came from Lean and which ones came from Six Sigma I don't know. But like you said it's kind of irrelevant as long as you know how to use these tools to provide massive value to a company. I would love to take your course on how to communicate your value. is that bundled into your Kaizen course or is that somewhere else?

[@learnkaizen]

Interesting you asked about the value course. I was selling it as a stand alone but currently working on a bundle specifically for people interested in the CI field and want to quickly grow their career…that value communication course will be bundled into it..:would you be interested in hearing about it when it launches? It launches in two weeks!

[@jameshamilton3348]

@@learnkaizen Yes very much so. I've decided to double down on my CI and process improvement skillset over the next year and move away from tech consulting and more into business CI for tech companies instead. Partly because that's where I think I can add more value and secondly it will add dimension to my offering. So for sure I'd be interested.

[@learnkaizen]

Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan. Happy to help where I can. I will send you a link when it launches. Sincerely appreciate your support!

[@sjsphotog]

I'm on the job market now and one of my recruiters said most of the stuff they have now is typical Quality Engineering work and not much out there for Continuous Improvement and Six Sigma focused, which is what I'm passionate about and Want to do for my career since I've been there and done that with the typical QE work my whole career but.... guess you gotta go where the work is. Wish more companies were doing L/SSV focused work.

[@learnkaizen]

If you google job is CI, BI, Lean, etc…you’ll see a lot of jobs pop up. Not sure what your recruiter is talking about…I did Quality work for years - you’ll never earn the $ in quality that you will in a niche like CI…Trust me. If you only get QE work, fine, but keep looking because the good companies want CI professionals because they know the value in the skill set. Appreciate your comment

[@jc07141990]

How's it going brother, I want to become an expert in lean and yes a salary is apart of my goal but I really want the best professional experience so I can contribute to the best of my ability. Is there a company that you would advise me to apply for to start my accelerated lean journey? I truly believe in lean and I could hop into a CI role where I am currently but I want to learn from someone doing it right. What do I need to do to reach a position like the one I've described?

[@learnkaizen]

I started in Japanese automotive. It’s a high speed environment but great for experience and growth. Read as many lean books as you can and start applying the tools where you are…

[@Larsbor]

If you dont have the certification, how have you learned the mindset and the tools to have that experience…?!

[@learnkaizen]

Most certifications focus on Six Sigma. Even the ones labeled Lean Six Sigma. The best way to learn is to get a job at a company that believes in lean…even if the job you get isn’t a lean job…seek out the lean from people at that company - learn and apply the tools to your job. Reading books is another way to gain lean knowledge. Read then apply on a small scale to start building process muscle. You can even apply the tools to home projects. Run the home project as if it were a lean project at a company..even document your work. You’d be surprised at how much you’ll learn! After you do 5 -10 projects - determine if you want a cert. just keep in mind that the cert will primarily be around six sigma with lean peppered in…hope this helps…oh, I’m thinking of doing a video to demonstrate lean on a home project from beginning to end..do you think that would help you?

[@learnkaizen]

After re-reading your question, I think you may be asking about me…I learned Lean when I worked for a Japanese automotive company…I had heard of lean and certainly used some of the tools but nothing prepared me for the experience I got when I joined the Japanese automotive business. After a few years in I heard folks talking about six sigma so I ended blue getting a verification from Villanova…years later I got a cert from ASQ…so when I say that I’d focus on the work first and not the certification(and maybe never the cert) I say it from a place of experience. I always recommend the experience first…if you get the experience, you may find you don’t need the cert but if you decide to go for it, you’ll have no problem passing because the experience prepared you for it. I just know that six sigma is rarely used in the real world but still offered because company’s ask for it (what they really want is the experience) and certification companies charge a lot of money offering certifications..I’m not opposed to it…I just want people to understand the real value they need so there can land the jobs and advance their income…but that only happens when you can apply what you learn and articulate that on your resume/cv.