Coaching

If Financial Services companies do choose to implement Operational Excellence, they should be very selective about any element included in their programmes and should not accept the conventional view that every aspect of Operational Excellence is applicable or necessary in every circumstance. Take a look at a typical Six Sigma training curriculum for example and ask the tough questions – is much of this really necessary in a Financial Services environment? The answer is no, not always. By training staff in only those specific elements of Operational Excellence which are relevant to their industry, service businesses can avoid the lengthy training programmes on the market, which are sometimes more academic than practical, and which have been derived predominantly from non-service environments.

Six Sigma specifically is a classic example of where too much training can actually hinder an Operational Excellence programme. In Financial Services, initial Six Sigma training to get a Green Belt or Black Belt up and running can be successfully and effectively achieved in days, rather than weeks. This should be further supported as necessary with specific coaching during actual projects, so that Green Belts and Black Belts learn from real experience. A primary reason for this is that not every process improvement professional needs to be an expert in Minitab. Whilst this statistical software plays an important role in data analysis and the production of high quality dashboards, it can be a supporting function provided by a team of business analysts if necessary, rather than expecting every project leader to be an advanced statistician. In this industry, it’s the soft skills that make the difference.

Finally, coaching should be delivered by experienced and highly qualified Financial Services industry practitioners, whose business and industry sector expertise is both personal and current. Consequently the case studies and war stories they share and the advice they impart during coaching will be up-to-date, directly relevant and culturally appropriate. Ongoing coaching, following on from short relevant training courses, continues to be the most effective way of transferring appropriate levels of Operational Excellence expertise in this sector.

Lean & Six Sigma coaching

Venturehaus offers Leadership, DMAIC Project and Lean Event coaching and mentoring to all levels of process improvement professionals from our team of highly experienced Master Black Belts and Lean Leaders.

Executive coaching

In addition, our Directors have a track record of coaching and advising Board level and senior executives in the areas of Operational Strategy, Programme Leadership and Deployment Planning. If you are interested in discussing this, please contact Alan Noble, Managing Director at

alan.noble@venturehaus.com