UB's TCIE Kicks Off Spring 2011 Business Improvement Course Lineup

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

TCIE's spring 2011 workshops and training courses are:

• Certified Lean Professional Course. 6-9 p.m. Runs from Jan. 31 through June 6, with sessions on Jan. 31; Feb. 7, 15 and 28; March 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28; April 5 and 11; May 9; and June 6 at TCIE, located in UB's Baird Research Park, 1576 Sweet Home Rd., Amherst. The course introduces participants to the Lean methodology of saving money and reducing waste by identifying unnecessary processes. Participants are required to complete a project, designed to improve a process at their organization, and pass a certification exam. Register by Jan. 17.

• Three-Day ISO 9001:2008 Internal Auditor training. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 8-10 at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, 2402 North Forest Rd., Amherst. In understanding how to assess their organizations' quality performance, participants will learn about the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001:2008 standard, audit activities and techniques, objective evidence to gather, and expectations of third-party external auditors in determining compliance. Register by Feb. 23.

• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Blended Learning. This course combines 48 hours of online education with 32 hours of traditional classroom-based, instructor-led training held at the Ramada Hotel from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 24, April 28 and May 26, and 8 a.m. to noon on June 30 and July 21. 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. Register by March 10.

• Balanced Scorecard. 8 a.m. to noon on March 24 at the Ramada Hotel. In this course, participants learn how to successfully implement scorecards, a strategic planning and management system, with meaningful metrics to drive and sustain business performance. Register by March 16.

• One-on-One Certified Courses. Sessions begin at the start of every month. Course options include: Certified Lean Sigma Blue Belt for the health care provider, covering Lean and process variation reduction; Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, covering more powerful problem-solving skills and advanced mastery of Six Sigma. Enrollment is continuously open for these sessions that feature one-on-one mentoring with a Six Sigma expert and online education.

For more information including tuition costs and to register, call the UB Center for Industrial Effectiveness at 636-2568 or email Ronnie Wiles at vfwiles@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.