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Best business leader certifications
The best certifications for a business leader are Six Sigma Green Belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), and Six Sigma Black Belt.
Business leader certifications demonstrate your competency as a business leader to employers. However, not all business leader certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best business leader certifications. Obtaining a business leader certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
7 best certifications for business leaders
| Rank | Business leader certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Six Sigma Green Belt | IASSC |
| 2 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
| 3 | Six Sigma Black Belt | IASSC |
| 4 | Change Management Certified Professional | Learning Tree... |
| 5 | Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) | Scrum Allianc... |
| 6 | Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP) | DRI |
| 7 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
7 best business leader certifications
1. Six Sigma Green Belt
The IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (ICGB) is a professional who is well versed in the Lean Six Sigma Methodology who both leads or supports improvement projects, typically as a part-time role. A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt possesses a thorough understanding of all aspects within the phases of D-M-A-I-C. They understand how to perform and interpret Six Sigma tools and how to use standard principles of Lean.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
2. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. Six Sigma Black Belt
The IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (ICBB) is a professional who is well versed in the Lean Six Sigma Methodology, who leads improvement projects, typically in a full-time role. A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt possesses a thorough understanding of all aspects within the phases of D-M-A-I-C. They understand how to perform and interpret Six Sigma tools and how to use standard principles of Lean.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
4. Change Management Certified Professional
Today's organizations face frequent changes to workplace structures and processes. Business process reengineering provides a powerful framework for implementing change projects. To effectively implement change, an organization must develop and administer a successful change strategy that integrates the contributions of both people and process. Successful collaboration with others and the power to influence people at all levels are key factors in implementing a change project and accomplishing your business objectives.Certified graduates of this program have the knowledge to guide the people in their workplace through the process of change. After acquiring the tools to implement business process reengineering (BPR), they have an understanding of how to model adaptable behaviors and create new goals for employees.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
5. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
Certified Scrum Product Owner professionals have been taught the Scrum terminology, practices, and principles that enable them to fulfill the role of Product Owner on a Scrum team. CSPOs are typically the individuals who are closest to the "business side" of the project. They are charged by the organization to "get the product out" and are expected to do the best possible job of satisfying all the stakeholders. CSPOs maintain the product backlog and ensure that everyone knows the priorities.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
6. Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for a business leader?
The best business leader certification is Six Sigma Green Belt. The Six Sigma Green Belt is awarded by the International Association of Six Sigma Certification. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this business leader certification:
- To become a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for business leaders?
The most in-demand business leader certification is Project Management Professional based on all active job postings. Having this business leader certification will give you access to more business leader jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a business leader career and salary?
The Project Management Professional certification will help you to secure a implementations lead position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A implementations lead's average salary is $107,352 whereas business leaders make an average salary of $90,430.
The most common combination of business leader certifications include: Six Sigma Green Belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), and Six Sigma Black Belt.
Online courses for business leaders to earn certifications
1. Business Process Mapping
The complete guide to map any business process...
2. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
3. Introduction to Business Process Modeling
Learn how to analyze, model, and improve your organization's business processes...
4. Business Analytics Complete Course
Learn Business Analytics with complete Hands on Exercises...
5. Business Analysis: Developing Irresistible Business Cases
Building the business acumen you need to promote your projects to management...
6. Executive Coaching and Business Case Development
The Guide to Executive Coaching and Business Case Development Success...
7. BPMN For Business Analytics A-Z™: Business Process Modeling
Learn Business Process Modelling with over Real-World case studies...
8. Data Literacy and Business Analytics for Business Leaders
Improve your Data Literacy and Business Analytics. Apply Business Statistics for Data Driven Decision Making...
9. AI for Business Leaders
Learn and plan for the business opportunities and risks of AI in 2023...
10. Lean BPM - Lean Business Process Management Change Skills
Lean BPM - learn how to use lean business management techniques to reduce waste and improve your business efficiency...
11. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation
Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...
12. Introduction to Business Analytics
How to Build a Profitable and Winning Company Using Business Analytics...
13. How To Write A Business Plan And A Winning Business Model
Business plan template & business plan examples: Create a top business model & business plan for your business ideas...
14. HR as a Strategic Business Partner
Better understand your value and role as a strategic business partner...
15. Business Plan: Outlines , Templates & Case Study
Learn Business Planning & Lean Thinking to develop a Complete Business Plan...
16. The Complete Business Process Management (BPM) Master Class
12000+ enrollments Learn the Business Process Management methods used by the world's most successful organizations...
17. Business Analyst: Software Testing Processes & Techniques
Reduce project bugs with repeatable testing processes. Learn to create test cases, scenarios, track defects, & more!...
18. Introduction to Business Analytics
Develop essential data analytics skills to grow your business...
19. Business Process Modelling with UML Activity Diagrams & BPMN
Become an expert in Modelling Business Processes with Business Analysis Techniques and UML Activity Diagrams & BPMN...
20. BPMN 2.0 Business Process Modelling for Business Analysts
Become a BPMN 2.0 Expert in 1 day. With this practical hands-on course you will learn proper Business Process Modelling...