Released on: January 15, 2008, 12:49 pm

Press Release Author: iSixSigma Magazine

Industry: Management

Press Release Summary: Technical skills can take a back seat to soft skills when it
comes to success in a Six Sigma role.

Press Release Body: Bainbridge Island, Washington (January 15, 2008) - Technical
skills can take a back seat to soft skills when it comes to success in a Six Sigma
role, according to a new survey released in the January/February 2008 issue of
iSixSigma Magazine (www.isixsigma-magazine.com).

The survey includes responses from nearly 1,000 Six Sigma professionals from around
the world and sheds some light on the rivalry between the often competing skill
sets.

"There's a lot more to Six Sigma than statistics. Communication and leadership are
the top two skills cited by respondents that make a successful Black Belt. Since
Six Sigma is technical by nature, there's no doubt technical skills are important as
well, but they fall third in line," said Michael Marx, research manager for
iSixSigma Magazine.

Survey results also indicate that soft skills training correlates with successful
Six Sigma programs. Just 35 percent of respondents from companies where no soft
skills training is offered rated their organization's Six Sigma program as
successful. That number jumps to 61 percent for respondents from companies where
soft skills training is part of the Black Belt and Master Black Belt technical
curriculum.

The magazine article also reports data on the degree of difficulty to learn soft
skills versus technical skills, and identifies the soft skills that are most
important to each Six Sigma role.

Marx concluded, "We can't ignore the soft side of Six Sigma. As long as people are
one of the variables in the success of Six Sigma equation, proactively nurturing the
soft stuff while continuing to refine the technical, can only lead to better Six
Sigma deployments."

About iSixSigma Magazine

Written for business professionals, iSixSigma Magazine offers a breadth of content
to address all facets of Six Sigma deployments and to engage readers at all
experience levels. The magazine provides practical advice to help readers stay on
top in today's competitive marketplace and be more effective on the job. Articles
cover the latest methodologies, strategies and tools and provide insights to help
readers better satisfy customers and run their businesses more profitably. Sign up
at https://www.isixsigma-magazine.com/subscribe_new.asp to subscribe to iSixSigma
Magazine.

Web Site: https://www.isixsigma-magazine.com/subscribe_new.asp

Contact Details: Contact:
Michael Marx
Research Manager
iSixSigma Magazine
+1-847-919-0922 x8859
https://www.isixsigma-magazine.com/subscribe_new.asp