Participant Interview - Ms Shanthini Ananthasubramanian, Team Lead/line Manager, Tech Mahindra.

Having recently finished her Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from Benchmark Six Sigma at Pune, Shanthini discusses the experience, its effectiveness and the realistic insights she earned in the four day program. Read on...

Q1) Tell me briefly about your educational and professional journey so far.

A) I am alumni of REC Kurkshetra . I am in the software industry for some time now and have been involved in various phases like execution, planning, training and delivery and management.

Q2) How was the overall Green Belt experience?

A) It has been wonderful given the kind of exposure the trainer had across the different sectors and industries. The training methodologies adopted are very effective. The trainer was well read and both theory as well as practice oriented. The training focuses on delivering it to everybody, right from a novice to an expert.

Q3) How do you plan to apply the learning of this program on the professional front? What methods do you think will you apply most?

A) I plan to use the six sigma tools on anything which is redundant, un-productive repetitive tasks and to cut short a lot of efforts on the execution part which many processes and people focus on unfortunately. I believe I can very well identify myself more with the ideology and philosophy of Six Sigma than the tools. I am not denying the power of tools. And I believe I would find my own tools on the way since it is always a path to progress. If there is one tool which should be widely used, that would be Lean strategy.

Q4) Are you looking forward to pursue higher belts at some later stage in your career?

A) Yes, I would soon take up black belt certification.

Q5) Do you think Six Sigma methodologies are only for people with strong analytical abilities or anyone with right conviction could do it?

A) I think it is more of conviction and belief that drives anything. Analysis would come much later after you have your convictions right.

Q6) In case you need help during implementation, will you be comfortable in using the Fraternity for discussions?

A) Yes

Q7) Like you, there would be more people willing to pursue this GB programme. If they are from your industry or organisation, would you be willing to assist them in taking a decision? It will only be a brief telephonic conversation and at your time of convenience.

A) Sure. On Weekends, any time.

Q8) Having recently done your Green Belt training, would you like to leave a message for our readers? (Including people who are yet to get exposed to Six Sigma methodologies)

A) Six sigma is a way of life, if you would like to be on the road to the often uttered but seldom accomplished path of "Continuous Improvement" then this is it.