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Testimonials
An Interview with Mike Titchen
Mike Titchen is a Master Black Belt with SigmaPro. He joined the company in September 2006. He has been active in Six Sigma since 1996 and has been working as an MBB since 2001, firstly with Alstom, then with Textron and Norwich Union. He was originally trained as a Black Belt by General Electric. SigmaPro interviewed Mike to find out more about him and his role as a Master Black Belt.
1. How do you see your role as Master Black Belt at SigmaPro?
"My role has four main aspects. The first is to deliver Lean Six Sigma training. This can be at any level up to, and including, Master Black Belt. Some of this is done in an open forum where just about anyone can enrol, and the rest is what we call 'in house'. This is where training is commissioned by a company to be delivered to their own belts. The second aspect is to coach or mentor Lean Six Sigma Belts. This involves working with the Belts to help them deliver their Lean Six Sigma projects. Becoming good at LSS takes quite bit of practice and most GBs and BBs need a lot of support for their first one or two projects. The third aspect of the job involves developing new training courses. Most are rehashes of existing material to give it a custom feel for clients but we are usually working on the next training revision or working on an 'E' delivered course. Lastly I do some consulting. This isn't usual but if it's required I do it."
2. How did you get into this job?
"I began to get interested in this type of role when working for Textron but I thought that I needed more experience in a transactional environment and so I took an MBB role at Norwich Union before moving into it. After a year or so in Financial Services I decided that I was ready and started looking for a training and consulting role. My wife, who loves searching the internet, saw the advert for SigmaPro and as it seemed to fit the bill I applied. I only met with Chris Rees, the UK Operations Director for SigmaPro once, in a Little Chef as it happens, and he offered me the job.
3. What did you study at School/University?
"I was keen on the sciences at School and did an Engineering Apprenticeship on leaving. I therefore did the obligatory HNC in Engineering. I got interested in the Liberal Arts in my twenties and so followed this interest through the Open University: an excellent institution I might add. I did a good number of arts and social science courses over the next few years but as my career took off I felt the need for a more business focus and so I did an MBA at Oxford Brookes. This nearly killed my interest in studying (it was such hard work) but more recently I have studied a bit of statistics to round my understanding of the subject I teach as part of the Lean Six Sigma curriculum."
4. What do you like most/least about your job?
"I like most of it to be honest. I like the interaction with people, the variety, helping others to solve their problems and inspiring others to get the Lean Six Sigma bug. The only bit I don't like is travelling on weekends. I often lose my Sundays as I have to be ready to start early Monday morning and so have to travel the day before."
5. How has the recession affected SigmaPro?
"We have noticed a bit of a drop in the public training as many companies have slashed their training budgets but our 'In Company' work is doing fine. Overall it has been our best year so far in SigmaPro UK."
6. How do you see the future at SigmaPro?
"SigmaPro UK has enjoyed steady growth year on year and I expect this trend to continue, but training will inevitably be effected by technology. 'E Learning' will grow and I can see more and more coaching being delivered by video conferencing etc as band width continues to grow. We are anticipation this at SigmaPro and we are currently working on an 'E learning' Yellow belt offering, and I am sure this will be the first of many."
7. Where do you live?
"I live in a village called Barrow upon Humber in North Lincolnshire. It is just three miles east of the south side of the Humber Bridge. It is a lovely place but I miss the ruggedness and hills of West Yorkshire where I spent a happy four years. I live there with my wife and two sons. The somewhat remote location means extra travel but it's worth it for the peace and tranquillity at weekends. I was born and brought up a Londoner but I would never choose to move back to the metropolis."
8. How do you relax when not at work?
"I love to garden, cook and play sport. I am no good at any of them but love to play Tennis, Golf and Snooker in particular. I used to be a bit of a reader but don't seem to find the time anymore (something I expect to go back to when I retire). I also enjoy music. I used to play recorder and organ it but now it's just listening. Most of all I enjoy learning new things. I am never happier than when studying."
9. Who has had most impact on your life?
"Several people have had an impact on me over the years. I worked for a statistician on my late teens and this started a life-long interest. I used to play in a rock band in my twenties and the drummer had a big impact. I studied eastern philosophy for 15 years and my teacher had a big influence. Since then I suppose I have learned to make my own way."
10. What's your favourite place?
"I don't really have one. I enjoy the country, nice scenery and the seaside. I tend to get attracted to the rugged rather than the quaint"
11. What's your favourite food?
"Indian food is my favourite. I am a vegetarian and choice is very restricted in most restaurants. Even so, I love dhal and rice and so I am easy to please. I do like it a bit spicy, however!
12. What's been the best/worst moment of your life?
"I am pleased to say that there are many things I am proud of but for the most personal satisfaction, it must have been when I played a gig at a venue I had hitherto visited only as a member of the audience. It was only whilst actually playing that I realised how far I had come with music. The best feeling of all must be falling in love, I suppose. For the worst moments I would have to say they were when my parents died."
13. What can you tell us that is most surprising about yourself?
"I usually give the one about playing in a rock group, but as you know this already, I will have to say that I must be part of a very small club of OU (Open University) students that managed to get an average of 100% for all 9 TMA's (Tutor Marked Assessments) one year. That also passes as one of the things I am most proud."
Mike, thanks for your time and we wish you and SigmaPro all the best for the future.
SigmaPro
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