EDC-VC Staff and Advisor Achieve Six Sigma Certifications

CAMARILLO, Calif. - June 27, 2014 - PRLog -- Efficient manufacturing processes are critical for companies’ bottom line. To help area businesses with process improvement strategies, EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center director Ray Bowman, loan officer Marvin Boateng, and program manager Jason Ham completed a Six Sigma training course. After the 15-week program with 60 hours of direct training, paired with a process improvement project, the three earned their Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Level 1 certification.

Lean manufacturing expert SBDC advisor Carlos Conejo conducted the training. He recently became a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, the program’s highest achievement level.

Developed by Motorola (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola) in 1986 and named for the mathematical term, Six Sigma is a program where inefficient procedures within companies are identified and eliminated and replaced with those providing increased performance.

As part of their Six Sigma certification, Bowman, Ham and Boateng created  a streamlined SBDC client intake procedure to better appraise businesses and their needs. This system, which matches advisors to the appropriate clients, is the first of its kind in the greater SBDC network and provides a more focused approach to consulting. The program’s goal is to reduce consulting hours and related costs.

“We have seen firsthand the results of Six Sigma lean manufacturing training with our SBDC clients,” said Bruce Stenslie, EDC-VC’s president and CEO.  “Having Marvin, Ray and Jason with this training will help us be more efficient so that we can assist more clients and help their businesses grow.”

Conejo was awarded his Lean Master Black Belt designation after completing a 12-week online course at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. As a Lean Master Black Belt, he trains and mentors Black Belts and Green Belts and helps to resolve issues in their Six Sigma projects.

Conejo is president of Peak Performance Seminars, Training & Consulting, and has been an SBDC consultant since 2011.

About SBDC:

The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and business started.

About EDC-VC:

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center and loan, manufacturing and international trade programs, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24, or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com