The best certifications for small business owners

Want to give you business more weight? Here are three of the best certifications for small business owners.

Certifications are tests or courses you can take to prove your ability in technology, business, or management. And today, certifications carry almost as much weight as college degrees.

A certification can effectively ‘bump up’ your business’ resume. So iIf you’re a small business owner and you’re looking for a way to set yourself apart from your competitors, you might consider validating your company with certifications.

Here are three certifications that could be good for a small business owner to have. 

1) Sigma Six

Sigma Six is a methodology that was developed by Motorola Engineer Bill Smith in 1986. General Electric then adopted the methodology as the core of their business, and today more than two thirds of the Fortune 500 companies use Six Sigma methodology as their core business component.

So, what is it? Six Sigma is an improvement methodology based on reducing defects to a statistically insignificant amount. To do this, certified individuals called Six Sigma Champions assess a business process and perform MAIC (Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control).

The measuring phase includes verifying which processes are critical, and whether or not they can handle the current business load. The Champion would then analyze the processes in isolation to determine how and why they affect other processes.

Then, much like a science experiment, those processes would be tested to figure out the best way to improve and reduce deficiencies. Finally, the business owner would closely monitor and control the improvements to ensure that the business outcome was profitable. 

If you’re looking to improve your business processes and reduce defects or mistakes in your operations, consider getting a Six Sigma certification. You can often find Six Sigma training online. This one simple change in your business could save you money, time, and manpower in the future.

2) B Corp

Becoming a Certified B Corporation is one of the best things a small business owner can do. A business that is Certified B Corp is required to meet high societal, ethical, and environmental standards.

Much like a piece of fruit that is labelled “organic,” you likely run an extremely clean and trustworthy operation if your business has a B Corp stamp of approval. 

To become B Corp certified, your business impact will be evaluated during a process called a B Impact Assessment. This is a free online assessment that you can complete yourself. Afterwards, depending on your area and corporate structure, you willl need to update your policies and procedures to follow B Corp ethical responsibilities.

For instance, if you own an LLC in the United States, you would need to amend your governing documents with several additional clauses to become B Corp Compliant.

Finally, the B Lab will evaluate your B Impact Assessment to ensure that you achieve a score of at least 80. Then, you will receive a B Corp certification which you can proudly display on your window, website, or LinkedIn account to show that your business meets extremely high ethical and societal standards. 

3) Project Management Professional

The PMP, or Project Management Professional, is another valuable certification available to small business owners. Project management is one of the most vital parts of making a business successful, and this certification will ensure that you have the most efficient planning and management stylepossible.

According to the Project Management Institute, the requirements for obtaining this certification are as follows:

  • A four-year degree.
  • 36 months leading projects.
  • 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM®Certification.

Or:

  • A high school diploma or an associate’s degree (or global equivalent).
  • 60 months leading projects.
  • 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM®Certification.

After fulfilling those requirements, you would be required to pass a certification exam in order to be considered a PMP. Even if you don’t take the exam, learning the methodology and terms from the study material is a great way to improve your project management abilities for the future success of your company.

Getting certifications are a great way to showcase your attributes as a small business owner. If you’re looking to boost your reputation and shine as a competitor, consider adding certifications to your business toolbelt.