UB's TCIE Kicks Off Semester of Business Improvement Courses

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Western New York business professionals striving to save money and boost efficiency in their organizations may attend a variety of business improvement workshops and training sessions being offered this spring by the University at Buffalo's Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE).

TCIE's spring 2010 workshops and training sessions are:

• Executive Overview on Lean Six Sigma. 8 a.m. to noon on Jan. 21, Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, 2402 North Forest Rd., Amherst. Attendees learn about Lean Six Sigma, an industry-proven quality methodology that helps businesses grow through greater efficiency, problem-solving and the philosophy that measurement and management go hand in hand. Cost is $99; register by Jan. 7.

• Certified Lean Professional Course. Mondays from 6-9 p.m. from Jan. 25 to April 12 (except Feb. 15 and April 5) in the TCIE office, located in the UB Technology Incubator, 1576 Sweet Home Rd., Amherst. The 30-hour course introduces participants to the Lean methodology of saving money and reducing waste by identifying unnecessary processes. Lean techniques improve on-time delivery, decrease cycle time and increase product quality. Participants are required to complete projects designed to improve processes at their organizations, and pass a certification exam. Cost is $1,095; register by Jan. 11.

• Three-Day ISO 9001:2008 Internal Auditor Training. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 25, 27 and 28 at TCIE. In understanding how to assess their organizations' quality performance, participants will learn about the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards, audit activities and techniques and expectations of third-party external auditors in determining compliance. Cost is $595; register by Jan. 11.

• Certified Change Management Professional Course. 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 4 to March 18 (except Feb. 11, 16, 18, and March 11) at TCIE. Participants will acquire the tools to make strategic decisions, translate strategy and manage change in their organizations. An exam will be administered at the end of the 27-hour program. Cost is $1,095; register by Jan. 14.

• How to Use Minitab Statistical Software. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 16, at TCIE. Participants will learn how to use and interpret Minitab software (version 15), described as the leading statistical software used to improve quality; they will learn how to use it to develop graphs, including histograms, plots, box plots, bar charts, interval plots and time series plots. Cost is $495; register by Feb. 2.

• Green Belt Blended Learning. This course combines independent study and online learning with traditional classroom sessions, which will be held in the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 9, April 13 and May 4. Candidates are immersed in the initial steps of the Six Sigma methodology and are provided the tools to effectively solve problems. They complete an improvement project at their workplace and must pass an exam to earn certification. Cost is $2,395; register by Feb. 16.

• Change Management Luncheon. Noon to 1:30 p.m., March 17 at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center. This presentation focuses on how organizations can identify and maintain best practices when considering improvement projects or processes, or when reorganizing internal job responsibilities. Cost is $59; register by March 3.

• Six Sigma Master Black Belt course. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 12 and 13, May 17 to 21, and June 14 to 17, plus a half-day session, 8 a.m. to noon, April 14, in the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center. This course is for Black Belts who have demonstrated a mastery of Six Sigma tools and a natural aptitude to lead and teach. Cost is $7,995; register by March 29.

For more information, call TCIE at 636-2568 or e-mail Gary Simon at ggsimon@buffalo.edu

TCIE provides a dynamic link between UB's expert resources and the region's business community. A program of the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, TCIE fosters partnerships and manages projects as diverse as the region's businesses, and is a premier provider of Lean Six Sigma training and mentoring. For more information on how TCIE can assist Western New York businesses, go to http://www.tcie.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.