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Intro: Welcome to the E6S-Methods podcast with Jacob and Aaron, your weekly dose of tips and tricks to achieve excellent performance in your business and career. Join us as we explore deeper into the practical worlds of Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management and Design Thinking. In this episode number 164, we debate yet another iSixSigma article from Aaron's hoarded archives, 16 Smart Tips for Successful Black Belts. If you're just tuning in for the first time, find all our back episodes on our podcast table of contents at e6s-methods.com. If you like this episode, be sure to click the "like" link in the show notes. It's easy. Just tap our logo, click and you're done. Tap-click-done! Here we go. http://bit.ly/E6S-164 Leave a Review! http://bit.ly/E6S-iTunes

iSixSigma Magazine Article, July/Aug 2009: 16 Smart Tips for Successful Black Belts by Nilakanta Srinivasan

I "Deliver results faster by applying these fundamental management skills"

a. "These tips should not be mistaken for unprofessionalism or unethical shortcuts. They are simply smart ways to delivers results in large corporations."

II Getting the Champion's attention

a. Tip#1 Keep it Formal

i. Writer suggests formal presentations are in order

1. For me, it depends on "how formal." If "formal" means having enough information to communicate the problem, then yes. If formal means putting hours into a slide deck to impress the Champion, then no. Get a Champion who doesn't need fluff. An Champion who values fluff won't withstand resistance in an organization.

2. And why is it the BB is trying to solicit the Champion, rather than the Champion soliciting a BB?

b. Tip#2 Stick to the Script

c. Tip#3: Keep Moving Forward

i. Suggests trying with the Champion 3 times before giving up, but then suggests escalating to the Champion's manager

1. Why is it so formal with the Champion, if it's so easy to escalate to their manager?

III Bypassing Gatekeepers

a. Tip#4 Make Direct Contact

b. Tip#5 Be Specific

c. Tip#6 Emphasize the Urgency

d. Tip#7 Meet Regularly

IV Ensuring Successful Team Meetings

a. Tips#8 Extend the Formal Invite

i. For GBs, the GB should do the inviting... For BBs, the Champion should do the inviting

Outro: Thanks for listening to episode 164 of the E6S-Methods podcast. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our "Sweet 16 Debate" Don't forget to click "like" or "dislike" for this episode in the show notes. Tap-click-done! If you have a question, comment or advice, leave a note in the comments section or contact us directly. Feel free to email me "Aaron", aaron@e6s-methods.com, or on our website, we reply to all messages. If you heard something you like, then Clammr and share it. Don't forget you can find notes and graphics for all shows and more at www.E6S-Methods.com. "Journey Through Success. If you're not climbing up, you're falling down." Leave a Review! http://bit.ly/E6S-iTunes

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