Faced with economic pressures on multiple fronts, today’s businesses are closely monitoring the bottom line – and scrutinizing the necessity of each employee. From small start-up companies and not-for-profit organizations to Fortune 500 enterprises, businesses of all sizes are responding to the sobering realities of an ailing economy with staff reductions, hiring freezes and unpaid furloughs. Such turbulent times require specialized skills to help you avoid the chopping block or find a new job.
If you’re not among the thousands who have already been laid off, be thankful. But don’t get comfortable. Evaluate the organizational impact of your job function, then ask yourself what you can do to add value, help your company operate more efficiently, reduce waste and save money. Many professionals turn to online training in high-demand areas such as project management or supply chain management, where they learn proven techniques for completing projects more quickly and cost effectively, plus strategies for improving supply chain processes.
“The Project Management certificate program I listed on my resume generated so much attention that I had to make a spreadsheet to keep track of all the offers! I accepted a role on an exciting and highly visible project with Penske Corporation. I even had other companies fighting over me and offering more money if I would change my mind. I believe my success was a direct result of the Master Certificate in Project Management credential I earned.”
Cathy Nanovic
Project Manager
Penske Corporation
Equally popular and effective at boosting your professional value are Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma, two data-driven methodologies that reduce product or service failure rates to near perfection. Beyond their capacity to reduce errors and streamline processes, Six Sigma and Lean are widely appealing because of recent success across numerous industries such as manufacturing, financial services and healthcare.
General Electric, one of the most successful companies using Six Sigma, has reported benefits of approximately $10 billion during the first five years of implementation. Jack Welch, former Chairman and CEO, stated that “nothing compares to the effectiveness of Six Sigma when it comes to improving a company’s operational efficiency, raising its productivity and lowering its costs. It improves design processes, gets products to market faster with fewer defects and builds customer loyalty.”
Six Sigma has evolved from an improvement framework for the manufacturing sector to one that can be applied across all levels of any organization. In the financial services industry, where reducing transaction errors is a top priority, Bank of America credits Six Sigma with $2 billion in revenue gains and cost savings during the past eight years. As a result of Six Sigma implementation, the company now retains more customers and has greater processing capacity with fewer resources.
The results of Six Sigma are also impressive in healthcare settings, where numerous hospitals, clinics and other facilities have documented millions of dollars in annual savings directly attributed to the methodology. While healthcare processes might not be identical to those in manufacturing or other industries, the issues are the same: waste, variation and customer service. Healthcare organizations are having great success using Six Sigma tools to shorten wait times in emergency departments, decrease the turnaround time in operating rooms, lower mortality rates and increase revenue through streamlined billing processes.
Many Skills Are In Such High Demand That Your Employer Will Pay for Your Training!
How much does your employer value skills that will simplify processes, boost customer satisfaction and improve the company’s bottom line? Probably enough to pay for your training! Where there’s value and proven odds for a solid return on investment, there’s often funding to help expand your professional expertise. Never again should money prevent you from earning your university credential online. With numerous financial assistance options at your fingertips, you’re well positioned to take advantage of the life-changing benefits of online education.
Top Four Ways to Pay for Your University Credential:
- Employee Benefits: Many employers cover some (or all) of the costs for an employee’s education through tuition assistance programs. Your benefits may cover per-credit-hour costs, fees, books and other materials. Ask your human resources department about educational benefits your company may provide.
- Flexible Payment Plans: For your convenience, there are several interest-free payment options available to work within your budget. Contact a program representative today to determine which of these flexible options is best for you.
- Low-Cost Sallie Mae Loans: SLM Financial, a Sallie Mae Company, offers a flexible, low-cost loan product specifically designed to help working adults who enroll in an accredited distance-learning or a certificate-granting program. The SLM Financial Signature Loan, with its quick application and approval process, will have you ready to enroll in the next available session.
- Traditional Loans: Many traditional financial institutions such as banks and credit unions offer loans for education and professional training.