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One of the major barriers to investment in training is the difficulty businesses have in proving which areas provided a return on money spent, and which were a waste of time. Often the only thing those organising training have to go on is their gut feeling.

Against a background of tight margins and big data – gut feeling no longer stacks up.

Organisations need hard data to support their decision making and, for the large majority of training courses, data to illustrate return on investment is not readily available. As a result, individuals find it tough to get training signed off by managers, and businesses cut training budgets. After all, why would you invest in something if the return is unclear?

But Lean Six Sigma is different.

When done correctly, you could see a fivefold return on Green Belt training, more on Black Belts. And this is not an ROI on the cost of the course, but on the full cost of applying the learning and implementing Lean Six Sigma to solve your business problems.

So what makes LSS different?

First of all, the right LSS course will set you up for success before you even set foot in a classroom. 100% Effective provides training for managers and sponsors so that you receive the support you need, when you need it. The training gives them the knowledge they need to support you, challenge you and give you the time you need to be effective.

Lean Six Sigma is all about identifying problems – known as projects – and taking steps to address them permanently. Unsurprisingly then, LSS training follows this format and tutors work with delegates before the training to help identify projects to apply their learning to. All delegates must show real, tangible improvement in order to pass the training, with this one project acting as a benchmark for ROI.

In contrast to other training courses, LSS delegates are not left to work out how their training fits into the company. Delegates are provided with a dedicated coach who can answer questions about training and ensure the correct steps are taken for success. Online pre-work also ensures the basics are covered before the classroom training, so that everyone comes together at the same level making discussions and teaching more effective and useful.

In the classroom

The training is designed for maximum return on investment, so the course uses blended learning which delivers the teaching in an optimum way for all delegates. All learning approaches are catered to with simulations, videos, discussions, teach backs, reading, research assignments, group exercises, individual exercises, as well as project work and case studies to reinforce the lessons.

As a complementary online course is also provided, delegates are able to review any lessons they want, whenever they need to.

During LSS training, coaches offer one to one sessions and personal feedback so that you get help specific to your project and business.

Back in the office

After the classroom training is complete, the real return on investment is achieved. Support is vital to ensure that you actually apply the learning. From this point, your coach will up the pace and drive you to complete the project to lock down that ROI. They will make sure your KPIs can be proved and they will work with your manager to ensure you receive internal support.

Once you are ready, you can certify with your LSS Belt. An exam indicates you absorbed the lessons delivered in the training but, more importantly, your completed project shows you understand how to apply them in the real world. Your project allows you to show your business tangible benefits from introducing Lean Six Sigma and illustrates the return on investment.

Lean Six Sigma is therefore one of the only courses that can prove – with data specific to your company – the ROI and effectiveness of training. If you follow our guide to making your training effective you will see a ROI of five times the initial investment (for the Green Belt) on the first project. As most people complete three projects in a year, the annual ROI is 15:1.

No other training offers this kind of return.

Look at your other training courses or training providers – how do they stack up?