Six Sigma Resource

“The United States, are we becoming a 1099 Nation?”

2010-12-06T10:35:00.000-08:00

“The United States, are we becoming a 1099 Nation?” by Daymond Cox (founder of the International Society for Six Sigma Certifications)

The United States is known as the Land of the Free – we have had the luxury of many freedoms including the right to earn a living however we see fit. When our country was being settled we were a land of entrepreneurs, from the saloon owner to the farmer to the local sundry store. As our country grew so did businesses, consolidating and conglomerating in rhythm with the industrial revolution. Author Jack Beatty’s book: Colossus: How the Corporation Changed America shows how corporations have changed from a mere business model to entities with their own agendas. Beatty provides a deep and insightful picture of the evolution of corporations. The emergence of the current form of corporation served to mobilize the entrepreneurial and managerial energies that filled a sprawling continent and tapped its vast resources. What has occurred over the past century is “an engine of appetite.” There is less room for the romantic notion of individualism and more of a transformation to a piece of machinery which is geared toward self-enhancement, sometimes appearing to have little regard for what is happening around it.

This is a shift that people are taking note of. They are stepping back and deciding if they really want to be part of these corporate entities. As an employee of an organization, you agree to work under certain conditions, to perform tasks needed by the corporation, for a set amount of pay. You may be limited on job progression, hours and opportunities. One avenue to begin loosening the corporate bonds is to become a 1099 contractor. Becoming a contractor has pros and cons, both from the viewpoint of a corporation as well as from an individual perspective.

From the eye of the corporation:

Corporations are their own entities and have pressures of their own. The struggling economy has put additional pressures on corporations to still produce results with less ability to pursue additional resources. Quarterly earnings target loom. One way to make numbers is to reduce workforce. By reducing headcount, corporations can bring in necessary talent and skills through a 1099 arrangement. This works well for the corporation in many ways. Through bringing on independent contractors, they have the skills at hand, can manage them as they want and do not have the overhead of benefits. The corporation can control the length of the arrangements, only paying for what they need at the time.

It sounds like a perfect scenario, but there are downsides to the corporation as well. The fact that contractors are brought in on an as-needed basis, there is a risk that the person they hire may not truly be able to deliver on the necessary skills. Because they are “outsiders” will there be a smooth on-boarding process and meshing with existing employees? Because there is no long term relationship, will the corporation receive the same loyalty and respect as they might from a long-term fully-benefitted employee? Further, employees are able to shift as needed, drawing on different skill sets to meet tasks at hand.

From the eye of the individual:

From an individual’s perspective, corporate life can be fraught with opportunities for frustration. Limited promotional opportunities, low potential to develop particular skill sets, layoffs, bureaucracies and politics, corporate cultures are just a sample of why an individual may opt to work independently. As with many choices, there are positives and negatives that follow this lifestyle.

In the positive category is the fact that you get to choose the companies you want to work. If you have certain restrictions or needs, such as schedule flexibility, days, types of work, you can be selective in what you want to do and seek employment opportunities that match your set criteria. By controlling who you work for, you are now the decision maker. You make the call on schedule, pay rate, vacation schedule and benefits and perks. Because you are the decision maker, you can tap into new skill sets. If you have a passion to deliver a product or service, but have no background in sales or marketing, this could be your chance to try it out. If you are title conscious, by working in a 1099 environment you can create your own LLC and give yourself any title you choose.

Being your own boss, setting a handsome-sounding hourly rate and touting your title of choice are great perks, but living a 1099 life also comes with challenges. Depending on your particular financial situation, shifting to a 1099 lifestyle means that automatic deposit amounts from corporate payroll are no longer in place, ditto for the 401(k) match and, oh yeah, health insurance. Cash flow is now a variable, not a constant. Financial worries are number one on a list of stressors, so this shift can place a toll on you and relationships.

Leading the 1099 Lifestyle:

Personalities that may want to try out this 1099 lifestyle are probably fairly independent thinkers (this is why they were maybe frustrated with corporate life). While this is a fantastic trait, it can have its downside. Spending too much time thinking about what you are going to do, or if it will be successful can lead to analysis paralysis and instead of getting out to the market and offering your services, you may be stuck in your basement or your head thinking about whether it will work or not. While you are sizing up your strengths, you may also start to see your weaknesses, for example, passion and energy are great, but if you have never sold or marketed anything, it can quickly become an overwhelming feeling. Our advice is that the best thing you can do if you want to pursue your new 1099 lifestyle is to get out and talk to people.

As with anything is life, your plan is not static, it will be evolving as you test out ideas, learn and assess market demands. The country is still a land of great opportunity and great people. Figure out what lifestyle works best for you and go make the most of it!

Want to understand ISO and OHSAS- Sign up today!

2010-09-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems
With more and more organizations requiring ISO 14001:2004 EMS Certification, there is an increasing need for training in Environment Management System (EMS) awareness and implementation. This program will provide an overview of ISO 14001:2004 EMS, giving necessary inputs to participants enabling them to understand the requirements of the International standard and acquire skills to implement EMS in their organizations.

Topics will include:
-What & Why of EMS
-Environmental Issues
-Aspects & Impacts Evaluation
-ISO 14001:2004 Requirements and Interpretation
-EMS Policy, Objectives & Targets
-EMS Implementation
-Benefits of EMS
-Summary & QA
September 29, 2010
Sign in: 8:15 amSessions: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm$69 per participant $49 to Group registration of 3 or more participants Register at http://tinyurl.com/24th4j3

OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems
Occupational Health & Safety of people are of prime importance to society in general, to and industries in particular. The ILO estimates that there are over 250 million work-related accidents which result in time-off occurrences every year. With more and more organizations going for OHSAS 18001:2007 Certification, which are BSI standards, but accepted world-wide, there is need for training in Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OHSMS) awareness and implementation. This program will provide an overview of OHSAS 18001:2007, giving necessary inputs to participants, enabling them to understand the requirements of the International standard and acquire skills to implement OHSMS in their organizations.

Topics will include:
-Introduction to Health & Safety Management System
-Hazards Identification, Risk Assessment (HIRA) & Determining Controls
-Awareness of Legal and Other Requirements
-OHSAS 18001:2007 Requirements and Interpretation
-Health & Safety Policy, Objectives & Targets
-Steps in OHSMS Implementation
-Summary & QA

September 30, 2010
Sign in: 8:15 amSessions: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm$69 per participant $49 to Group registration of 3 or more participants Register at http://tinyurl.com/2394cvh

Process Improvement and Best Practices is not a “Luxury” but “Necessity”

2010-05-03T03:06:00.000-07:00

To survive and thrive in today’s economic market, an organizations’ approach to Process Improvement must be viewed as a priority. The process improvement mentality allows a company to look at how they are currently performing in all areas of the operations and collectively focus on eliminating waste – of money, materials, time, and opportunities. No company has the “luxury” anymore of turning a blind eye to what is not working. Quality and rapid product delivery must be at an all time high!

Process Improvement and Best Practices surrounds around several very important concepts; listening to the voice of the customer, identifying the problems associated with a particular process, and then defining the goals for improving the product or service. This analysis will show how Process Improvement and Best Practice’s are linked to high performing organizations, by continuing with those practices that aren’t broken, but improving on those processes that need fixing.

"Every employee has a stake in one or more processes, and the process improvement mentality must be driven from the organization’s top leadership team, and then supported throughout the organization." Says Daymond Cox, Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Founder of ISSSC.

It will take commitment and investment on the front end, but the long term will produce the desired results. “Striving for perfection; and settling for excellence” must be the motto for all organizations today. It’s just not a “Luxury” but a “Necessity" in order to succeed in today's business world.

Employee Trends The On-Demand Workforce by Beth Cooper, 10 til 2, Cincinnati

2010-04-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

The work world is changing. The traditional employment model of going to work for a company full-time, and remaining there until retirement, is nearly obsolete. Instead, a new era is emerging in this nation's collective workplace with the "on-demand” workforce taking front and center. And, more than likely, this approach is here to stay.

What's Changed
The sun has been setting on the days of the "paternalistic” organization, offering lifelong employment in exchange for employee loyalty, long before the current recession ever hit us. The recession, however, can be credited with accelerating changes in the work paradigm, as countless businesses were forced to make cost-saving choices and organizational changes to reduce the burden of payroll. The impending recovery, however, won't necessarily translate into systematic rehiring at the pre-recession level, as companies have adapted their structures and processes to the pared-down workforce levels. What these companies need now, to ensure their own economic recovery, is a workforce that can clock in, do the job and then disappear from their labor costs.

Who's Changing
There has been a shift in recent years in the way employees view their commitment to their work lives. Out of necessity, workers have adapted to the reality of creating their own nontraditional career paths. While some seek out part-time jobs because of the scarcity of full-time positions, many workers are combining multiple part-time jobs and project engagements to merely make ends meet. At the same time and as importantly, workers increasingly desire more freedom and flexibility in their work lives in order to meet personal and family obligations.

The Reality and The Upside
Labor experts estimate that by 2019 approximately 40% of the workforce will be independent contractors. This on-demand workforce provides businesses with the talent to get the work done while allowing these employers the flexibility to control costs. For workers, the trend brings opportunities for greater flexibility to meet their personal and family needs; and encompasses long-term part-time jobs, short-term assignments, flexible work hours and job sharing opportunities.

Additionally, the Employment Policy Foundation estimates that within the next ten years there will be a 6 million person gap in the number of college graduates versus the number of college-educated workers needed to cover the expected job growth. This is good news down the road for educated workers with high-demand skills, as those professionals with highly specialized skills and market niches will be in a good position to pick and choose their optimal terms of employment.

It is still unclear how this talent shortage will affect the future creation of full-time job opportunities. In the meantime, workers are well advised to take their careers into their own hands, hone their specialized skills and seek out unconventional opportunities in the impending brave new world of employment.
---

To learn more about "on-demand” workforce and uncover how these resources can support your company's growth contact Gina Kopera with 10 til 2, partner to ISSSC, at CincyStaffing@tentiltwo.com or (513) 403-3197. Any position, from Project Management and Six Sigma to Inventory and Bookkeeping, it can be done "on demand" call Gina now!

ISSSC has the professional development training you need to be competitive in the "on-demand" work world. Courses and certifications in areas such as Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management, ITIL, and Operations & Management are available to help you or your company excel! Visit www.isssc3.com or call 513-834-8332 for a free consultation today.

Project Management Overview Seminar March 22, 2010

2010-03-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

Join ISSSC and Guest Speaker from Pune India - Meena Sane for a Project Management Overview
Location: ISSSC Offices – 9902 Carver Road, Suite 203, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
Cost: $25
When: March 22, 2010 at 9 a.m.
Duration: 5 hours - includes lunch
Call 513-834-8332 to register (Limited to the first 20 registrants)

We will discuss:
1. Projects need management irrespective of size of company or size of project
2. Projects need to be managed - there are goals, people, infrastructure and environment – nothing of these are available in abundance!
3. Project managers need to manage
a. The delivery dates
b. The costs
c. The constraints
d. Uncertainties in teams, resources and ….
e. The customers ever changing demands
f. The myths most of us carry when we manage a project eg–
i. My project is unique
ii. Customers demands are different
iii. My team is peculiar
iv. I require different processes,
v. If I use processes , I am sure to miss out the deliveries
Most of the times the de-mystifying myths become project management!!!

The typical problems a project manager faces are one or many of these -
Unknown Functionality
Wrong Estimates
Delayed deliveries to customer
H/w / S/w Delayed Deliveries from supplier
Late working hours
Last minute rush
Rude surprises
Failed Demos
Missing pieces of Jigsaw
Return of a bug
Unsatisfied Team members
High employee turnover
Disgruntled Customers

Adding "Value" in the Value Stream Map

2010-02-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

During the dreary winter gray days, we begin to think about spring, warm weather and the summer days ahead. However, for many companies, there stands between you and spring time a very expensive and non-value added ritual called physical inventory. You may be already planning for physical inventory even as you read this article. You know that this ritual consumes a tremendous number of man hours and can often necessitate a complete stoppage of manufacturing and other operations.

First we must ask, given a choice, will your customer pay for your time to do inventory? We assume the answer is no, they will not. So how do we reduce the time and expenses related to the inventory process?

The ultimate answer is to eliminate inventories so that there is nothing to count; the next best answer is to drastically minimize inventories so that there is as little as possible to count. But there exists the possibility of another, better way. With the application of Lean Six Sigma Tools, the inventory process itself can be drastically reduced and sometimes even eliminated.

From the perspective of Lean Six Sigma, wherever there is inventory there is a problem. Inventory is typically used to deal with the problems caused by unreliable suppliers or manufacturing processes, issues with poor quality or excessive scrap and manufacturing capacity shortfalls. By using the tools of Lean Six Sigma and complexity management, each of these problems can be addressed and often, completely eliminated. The resulting processes are then capable of delivering exactly what is needed, when it is needed and in the time frame required by the customer. This kind of process redesign and development renders inventory unnecessary.

Six Sigma Black Belts are highly qualified project professionals that can analyze business processes and make lasting improvements. Perhaps one of the most powerful tools in the arsenal of a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt is the Value Stream Map (VSM). Huge gains in process improvement, complexity reduction, waste elimination, and work simplification are possible as a result of value stream mapping.

The first step for a Black Belt in creating a value stream map is to walk the process and observe every step and action that is required to complete the product or service in question.
Listening to what is described, the next step is to develop as complete and accurate a picture (diagram) of the existing value stream as possible, including all of the work-arounds, exceptions, and rework steps that have been devised to deal with problems.
Then, by taking the time to carefully assess each step in the process, the Black Belt will work with your team to determine how that individual step performs and whether or not it adds value to the product or the service.

If the step adds value to the customer, the Black Belt will use the tools of Lean Six Sigma to improve it so it contains no waste and so that it functions as close to perfection as possible.
If a step or activity does not add value, that step will be eliminated entirely.
If the step or activity is required due to company policy or government regulation, the application of Lean Six Sigma tools will be used to make that step perform as efficiently as possible.

At that point the Black Belt will have developed a picture of the improved value stream (Future State Map) with as many of the wasteful steps and actions eliminated and implement the new process. Dramatically improved processes and performance are the result of this type of analysis and implantation. Throughput time reductions in excess of 80% and total process step reductions of 50% are both very common.

How does all of this work affect your inventories and physical inventory process? With such significant process improvements, large inventories are no longer needed as a buffer between your customers and inefficient processes. Inventories can be reduced significantly (90%+) and sometimes eliminated altogether as companies develop the capability to “make to order” versus “make to inventory”. With so much less inventory to count, the physical inventory takes only a fraction of the time and man power it once took. Now, you can enjoy the evening at home with your family instead of in the shop counting parts or investigating the variances between the physical count and the “book” inventory!

What steps can you take now? Six Sigma experienced professionals are available help your company improve and complete your next physical inventory. For more information contact Gina Kopera with 10 til 2, partner to ISSSC, at CincyStaffing@tentiltwo.com or (513) 403-3197.

How many projects can you fit into your 24- hour day?

2010-02-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

Getting your 10-lbs of ‘stuff’ into your 5-lb Rucksack… yeah right!

Can you relate to the following scenario? You have a deadline on your project and the project leader/boss has given you seven major deliverables to accomplish before the project is delivered. Just to cross all the corporate T’s, there is training that is required of you and your team during this critical delivery time. What do you do? In the military, we call project overloading packing 10 pounds of (fill in the blank) in a 5-pound Rucksack. But, is it uncommon on a project? Not in the least. First, let’s define a project as something with:

a defined beginning
a defined end with defined deliverables
and clear goals

With this definition in mind, many activities that we do can be defined as a project. Strictly defined projects to develop software develop products, plan an event or construct a building would fall into the project category. This would include Six Sigma, Lean, and any process improvement project as well. What it is not, is just the day-to-day activities that you do to complete your job or life.

So, how can you get the project completed while in the midst of the overload?

1. System in place: First, you must have a plan – whether it is a back of a napkin or a sophisticated Project Management software package. I prefer MS Project in many cases because it is readily available and interacts well with other tools I use to communicate, including the entire MS Office Suite.

2. Project Manager: The single, most important tool is not a software package, but the skill of the project manager to Communicate with the person that is driving the deliverables to be complete in the timeline that you feel is over packed and overwhelming.

There are many tools that can help in that process of communication, including the

project plan,
a Gantt chart (Yes these two are different),
a simple risk plan, and
a simple matrix to prioritize the work in the time remaining.

Sometimes, it is just a matter of talking with the person assigning (or demanding) the work be complete in the given timeline. Other times it will be helpful to define all the tasks, the most realistic timeline required to accomplish the task and the prioritization of those tasks.

It may be that you can add addition staff to get the work done in the timeline defined, but realize that adding staff adds an addition level of burden on the primary resource to train, support and direct that new team member. Even the best of employees may not be able to overcome the lack of intimate knowledge on a critical short-term deliverable/project.

Want to learn more about how to manage projects (and maybe your life)? Call us at ISSSC to learn more about our project management programs, professional development, staff augmentation and consultants. http://www.isssc3.com/ or 513.834.8332

About our author

Daymond Cox is a retired Army officer who is certified as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Project Management Professional. He has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, construction, federal government, software development and food service. He has co-authored project management textbooks and is the chair of the ISSSC Advisory Board.

Help to get businesses streamlined ... when & how YOU need it

2009-12-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

How can you best steer your company through these hard economic times? Is there a way to not only survive but thrive? A way to position your company right now so that you not only make it through this economic climate, but come through on top? Outsourcing non-core functions is a good way to get the things you need for your business just when you need them.

Outsourcing your company’s improvement projects to a Certified Project Professional (CPP) provides you with the expertise you need now to streamline and position your company for the future.

You may be wondering, how does that work? How can a project professional help my business and what kind of results can I expect?

A CPP is certified Lean, and/or Six Sigma Black Belt or Project Manager that is trained in the type of business processes that help make companies like Toyota, GE, and Boeing as successful as they are today.

These individuals can objectively evaluate your business processes, identifying waste and the potential to do more with less. This is done through streamlining processes and removing bottlenecks that can cost time and money. And, as we all know, time is money.

Results from just this kind of project were highlighted in an article by Del Jones for USA today. Six Sigma consultants saved 20 area hospitals in New York millions of dollars using the same Toyota Production Model on which the Six Sigma process is based. Full Article at http://tiny.cc/Hatki

So, on the one hand, a Certified Project Professional is a business consultant. But unlike most consultants who can deftly identify problems, a CPP goes two steps beyond that foundation. Instead of just identifying problems and untapped or unattained potential, a CPP will formulate a plan with you and will execute that plan from start to finish. Making sure that every aspect of the project runs smoothly and delivers the desired results. Basically, using a CPP, such as a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, on a contract or project basis, is simply outsourcing your businesses improvement to an expert.

Still not so sure about outsourcing and if it’s a fit for your business? A recent blog article by Gina Beckman, Lead Creative for 10 til 2, explores the question “Is Outsourcing the Answer?” and how outsourcing can help small to mid sized companies compete with large companies. Outsourcing allows smaller companies to utilize the non-core professionals they need only when they need them, instead of year round as a part of their permanent staff. It’s a clever and thrifty way to attain the same polished results as your larger competitors, but without their larger budgets. Full article at www.thecompanyofpeople.biz

To find out how you can staff a certified Six Sigma or Project Management professional to help elevate your business to the next level, contact our staffing partner, Gina Kopera, 10 til 2-Cincinnati, at gkopera@tentiltwo.com or call 513.403.3197.

Doing More With Less - How Companies Can Do More WITHOUT Laying Off Staff

2009-12-07T06:15:00.000-08:00

It is time again for the ISSSC Six Sigma Users Group!
This months topic is "Doing More with Less - How Companies Can Do More WITHOUT Laying Off Staff".

This should be a very informative and relevant discussion heading into the new year.

Please click on the link below for more information and to RSVP. You can also RSVP to doug.parham@isssc3.com or call 513-834-8332.

We hope that you can attend.
Happy Holidays from ISSSC,
Julie Jones
Marketing Assistant

http://events.linkedin.com/Doing-more-less-How-companies-can-do/pub/181541

Can you truly do MORE work with Less resources?

2009-11-17T13:43:00.000-08:00

YES!!

Staffing Resources get the job done With LESS of your hard earned cash!

Project staffing, by contract, can help you achieve that very goal. ISSSC has Sigma Black Belts, Master Black Belts, and Project Managers who can lead projects in process improvement for your business by incorporating proven change management techniques to shorten the durations of projects and keep costs confined while achieving high quality deliverables within the project parameters.

Do you need to ensure projects are on-time, on-budget, and on-scope to meet customer expectations?

With tight budgets and reduced manpower, we have an alternative that can provide you a way to get these projects completed and save bottom line costs. Our certified Project Professionals and Process Improvement Professionals can drive costs down and customer satisfaction up, while getting your projects competed on-time, on-scope, and within budget.

With each project our Six Sigma and Project Management Professionals can supplement your staff where you need to improve revenues, drive down cost, reduce complexity and improve customer service. These professionals are trained and experienced in delivering projects and improvement in as little as a month with significant return on investment.

To access more information on project professionals click here to learn more.

For cost and availability on how you can staff a certified and professional Six Sigma and or Project Management professional contact our staffing partner, Gina Kopera, 10 til 2-Cincinnati, at gkopera@tentiltwo.com or call 513.403.3197.

Newt Gingrich Appoints Mr. Esau Borja to Jobs and Prosperity Task Force Advisory Board

2009-10-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

Esau Borja, local Six Sigma Master Black Belt Consultant and Instructor, to participate in Washington strategy sessions.

Cincinnati, October 19, 2009: Esau Borja, with the acclaimed International Society for Six Sigma Certification (ISSSC) , will be part of an advisory committee on jobs created by Newt Gingrich.

Former Speaker of the House and General Chairman of American Solutions New Gingrich announced the appointment of Mr. Esau Borja to the Advisory Board of his Jobs and prosperity Task Force.

The Jobs and Prosperity Task Force is comprised of the most successful and accomplished business leaders and entrepreneurs in America. The Task Force will focus on Jobs Here, Jobs Now, Jobs First.

“We’ve given Washington a chance. It has failed miserably and has proven to be so inept at job creation that our unemployment rate, as President Obama himself said, “blew past” his own administration’s projection of 8%. Now it’s time for the people who know how to create jobs and prosperity, know what it means to stick to a budget and make payroll –the business leaders of the is country---to come together and clean up this mess,” Mr. Gingrich said.

“And we’re thrilled to have Mr. Borja on board as we begin the work to this economy back on track.”

As an Advisory Board Member, Mr. Borja will be invited to Washington for strategy sessions and events where he will discuss ways of turning American economic problems around with tried, true and battle tested solutions that have been used in successful businesses.

“Much of my career and everything we do at ISSSC is focused on increasing business viability and reducing waste so that successful companies can grow their businesses, thereby increasing jobs. When companies are most effectively managed and employees are well trained, stable and long-term jobs are created,” said Mr. Borja.

American Solutions for Winning the Future, founded by Speaker Gingrich is a unique tri-partisan organization designed to rise above traditional gridlocked partisanship, to provide real, significant solutions to the most important issues facing our country.

ISSSC provides professional development and consulting in Six Sigma, Project Management, ITIL, LEAN and all quality process improvement methodologies. ISSSC is headquartered in Cincinnati with alliances and courses worldwide. For a list of courses please visit http://www.isssc3.com/ or call 513-83-8332.

Media contacts:
American Solutions
Dan Kotman – Press Secretary
dkotman@americansolutions.com

ISSSC
Betty Hakes
Vice President – Marketing
Betty.hakes@isssc3.com

Organic Egg farm increases Hen's production by 40% using Six Sigma

2009-09-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Watch out Hens.. here comes the Six Sigma tools to get you into shape.

Recently, as I was browsing different websites regarding Six Sigma, I came across an article that intrigued me. It was posted by an individual who calls himself rocket (sled) man. The article began, “I believe that Six Sigma can be used effectively in the resolution of any problem anywhere (which has) variance at its core.”

As a user of and an instructor in Six Sigma, I agree completely because I have seen it used in ways and projects that I would never have thought about before. Almost everyone with Six Sigma experience has seen it used in a manufacturing environment to significantly reduce or eliminate defects on the shop floor. But, Six Sigma is applicable for every day projects in small businesses, service environments and yes, even at home.
One of my former students is an Engineer who happens to own a small family farm. On his farm, they raise free-range chickens and sell organic (no hormones or chemicals to enhance egg production) eggs. He found himself in a situation with a problem that he needed to solve. He needed to increase egg production but he could not wait the length of time it would have taken to raise more chickens. He needed more production from the chickens he had! So, he used the Six Sigma methodology to analyze the problem and to develop improved processes on his farm which led to a 40% increase in egg production with the same number of hens!

He used the tools of Six Sigma to develop a process map, identify X (input variable) to Y (output variable) relationships, performed root cause analysis, FMEA and designed some experiments to improve output. He used hypothesis testing to identify true process improvements more quickly and with fewer samples. Within six weeks from the start of his project, he had developed and documented improved processes which led to the increase in production by the hens.

Lessons learned: This is just one of several examples I have seen which prove the theory of rocket (sled) man. There is indeed applicability of the Six Sigma methodology to any process in any business or industry anywhere. At least three of the tools used in the project I highlighted above have proven useful – even essential – in every Six Sigma project. These are process FMEA, process mapping and identifying the Y to X relationships in the process.

All companies have limited resources – it is just that the limits are different. So, for all of their processes, projects and products, they really need to understand those factors that drive success in their organization as well as those factors which drive failure. The process will be more robust, the product more reliable and the customer much happier if these factors are identified, understood and controlled through the data and tools of Six Sigma. Even egg production on a farm can be improved through the use of these tools!

Doug Parham
Instructor/Consultant
International Society for Six Sigma Certifications

Change Happens When…

2009-09-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

Through the course of doing business and networking I have had numerous discussions lately about change; change management, accelerating change, culture change, etc. In fact, at the August Cincinnati Six Sigma User’s Group meeting we talked about “Accelerating Change & Influencing Buy-In”.

Several months ago I was having breakfrast with a good friend and we were talking about change and accoutability as it related to us as individuals. He shared the follloiwing formula with me and I think it also applies to companies and organizations.

Change Happens When D + V + F > R
Where:
D = Dissatisfaction
V = Vision
F = First Steps
R = Resistance to change

Do you typically think about change when you are satisfied? I don’t. I don’t think about food when my stomach is full (except ice cream…). I don’t really think about a drink of water unless I’m thirsty. It’s the sense of dissatisfaction that spurs us to do something. For individuals this could be a desire to lose weight, get into shape, reduce or eliminate debt, etc. For companies this could be a desire to increase shareholder return, increase profits, stimulate innovation, reduce muda (or waste), etc.

Vision refers to individual’s ability to see how circumstances could be better. To visualize how I will feel (and look) after I lose 15 pounds. For companies, this might be visualizing satisfied customers who now recommend your products to their friends. The key to visualization in organizations is clearly communicating the vision to all employees and members.

First steps is action. Do you ever recall a time when you really dreaded doing something that you had to do? I can remember times when I did not want to run. It was cold and rainy and I wanted to stay in the warm bed, but I know my friend would be waiting on me. So I got up and ran anyway. Afterwards I felt great and was glad that I did it. The first mile is always the toughest. There have been other times when I was to present a paper or teach a class. As I began working through the preparation (first steps) I found myself looking forward to the presentation or class.

No one likes change for change sake. In fact, many of us have a very strong resistance to change. Dissatisfaction, vision and first steps together must be greater than our resistance to change. That is, we must be dissatisfied with how things are now, we must be able to visualize the payoff and we have to get started.

Apply this formula and test my friend’s theory. We’d like to hear from you.

Tim DeRosett, CSSMBB
E-mail: tim.derosett@isssc3.com

Financial Assistance for Six Sigma Professional Training Now Available Through ISSSC

2009-09-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

In continuing its commitment of assisting unemployed individuals, ISSSC has instituted a Scholarship Program.

In the present economic environment, job seekers are in need of another competitive edge. Many companies are now requesting “six sigma certified” individuals for employment. At the same time, approval for training funds from One Stop agencies is becoming difficult to obtain. In the interim of funding shortages and increased requirements of companies, the ISSSC Scholarship Program has begun and seeks to bridge this void by offering assistance to those in need.

The 4 step-application process is easy to complete. Individuals interested in applying are asked to review these first three steps to discern if they qualify for a scholarship:

1. Candidate is in transition; unemployed
2. Denied WIA funding for Six Sigma training and are able to provide documentation in writing or contact information for their career coach.
3. Agrees to commit to a 12 month financial agreement for the $1800 balance of tuition

If you answered yes to these questions:

4. Contact the ISSSC office at 513.834.8332 to request an application. The completed form can be submitted by: faxing to 513.834.8336; scanning and email to manette.callahan@isssc3.com; or mailing to 9902 Carver Road, ste: 203, Cincinnati, OH 45242, attention of Manette Callahan.

Once approved, you will be contacted by one of the ISSSC Team to complete class registration. To view our upcoming courses, please visit www.isssc3.com

The ISSSC team is pleased for the opportunity to continue its commitment to the community by assisting those in transition to achieve their career goals.

Six Sigma User Group September: One Year Anniversary

2009-09-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

This month we will be celebrating our One Year Anniversary with free entrance to the meeting not to mention some special treats! So if you have been considering trying us out, this is the month to do it!

This month we welcome Bob Sutton from ProThink to lead the discussion. Bob will address Accountability and the ProThink, definitions, concepts, and tools for achieving accountability. This should be a nice follow up to last month's discussion about "Accelerating Changes & Influencing Buy-In".

Date and Time: Thursday September 10, 2009, 5:30 open registration/networking, 6:00-7:30pm meeting.

Please R.S.V.P on LinkedIn at:
http://events.linkedin.com/September-Six-Sigma-Users-Group-Meeting/Pub/120079

Location & Sponsor: ISSSC, 9902 Carver Road, Suite 203, Cincinnati, Oh 45242 (Centrally located off Reed-Hartman in the Sycamore Office Buildings

In A Partnership that Works

2009-08-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

Two area businesses are combining forces to do their part to help the economy and to assist those individuals looking for work. Blue Harbor CPI and The International Society for Six Sigma Certifications (ISSSC) are partnering to provide the Six Sigma White Belt training for FREE!

The partnership between Blue Harbor CPI and ISSSC came about when a recent candidate, faced with his own career transition, decided to give back to the company that helped him with his job search - Blue Harbor CPI. Given the go ahead from his new employer - ISSSC, the first pilot session was held at the Blue Harbor CPI offices in Kenwood to a packed house. Afterwards, everyone attending raved about the usefulness of Six Sigma and the excellent delivery by ISSSC of the materials. President of Blue Harbor CPI, Jeff Brumel, couldn't be happier with the arrangement. "I am pleased that a candidate has appreciated the service he received from my company and has decided to give back to the company. He really is giving back to others that are in the same situation he was in." Jeff further states, "This offers encouragement to those unemployed individuals who can't afford to pay for this training on their own.

Blue Harbor CPI will continue to host the FREE Six Sigma White Belt training with instructors from ISSSC. "I couldn't have wished for a better outcome from our partnership with Blue Harbor CPI, " enthused ISSSC owner, Esau Borja. "This will help spread the work of the importance of this training and how a Six Sigma trained employee can tremendously benefit a company's bottom line."

If you have interest in a Six Sigma White Belt course please call Manette Callahan or Brian White @ 513-834-8332 or long onto www.isssc3.com.

Blue Harbor CPI is a consulting firm providing organization development and outplacement services and is committed to being an invaluable partner and resource to our corporate clients and their employees. http://www.blueharbor.com/

Six Sigma User Group Meeting Results - August

2009-08-17T07:25:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone, and thank you for coming to this months User Group meeting if you were able to join us. Below are the notes from our discussion. If you weren't able to make it this month, we hope the notes are helpful to you and that we will see you in the future.

This month we discussed Accelerating Changes & Influencing buy-in

1. Successful initiatives are supported by top-level management. The project sponsor and champion must have authority, by proxy.

2.Uncover what motivates the leaders and key stakeholders within the organization.

3. Learn about the culture before implementing change.

4. Find ways to make incremental improvements.

5. Understand the environment in which you are working. The timeline and urgency varies, based on the circumstances.

6. Redefine "Hero"..."prevention" instead of "Rescue"

7. Deliver proof of gains within a short period of time.

8. Recognize successes and communicate.

9. Identify resistors to change, discover why they resist and what motivates them. Spend time with them one-on-one.

10. use a "parking lot" to capture ideas and issues that are out of the scope of the meeting/project.

12. Prepare staff for changes - why? what are the benefits?

13. Communications - establish a common language.

14. Change agents must have/build credibility

15. Gain buy-in from the "doers" - the Subject Matter Experts.

If you have and topic ideas please share them with us.

Have a great day!

Tim DeRosset

Director of Sales

tim.derosett@isssc3.com

ISSSC now aligned with 10til2

2009-08-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce ISSSC is now equipped and ready to offer part-time and project placement through our association with 10til2, a national part-time and project placement firm. Newly certified students may now sign up with 10til2, by going to www.tentiltwo.com. 10til2 will work to match graduates with their business clients seeking certified Six Sigma Green Belts, Six Sigma Black Belts, Project Management Professionals (PMP), ITIL, and LEAN. ISSSC's mission is to provide graduates with even more opportunities in the work place.

This alliance will benefit both students seeking employment as well as companies seeking highly qualified professionals.

If you have received your certification and are looking for a job, please register at www.tentiltwo.com/jobseekers/jobseekers.php website

Increasing e-commerce sales from 26% to 34% using Six Sigma

2009-07-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

Today we covered the Six Sigma project from www.ohiobeads.com and covered how Paul was able to increase Sales Funnel Conversion from 26% to 34%.

Great information, great feedback from the group too! Paul's heads must be spinning.

Thank you Paul Brandon, certified Six Sigma Black Belt, for talking about your project and opening yourself to a room full of Six Sigma professionals' comments and suggestions.

-Betty Hakes
VP, Marketing
ISSSC

Establishing MSA (Measurement System Analysis for Problems/Processes difficult to measure

2009-06-11T16:33:00.000-07:00

We welcomed a total of 8 members at tonight’s user group meeting. We broke into 2 groups and these are the results from our discussion about establishing measurement system analysis for problems and/or process difficult to measure.

Some examples of difficult to measure process:
· Subjective items (such as price, perception of value, pain, taste, spice, etc.) – for example, mild salsa in Texas is different than mild Salsa in the mid-west

Some examples of difficult to measure problems:
· Why do people leave a web site
· Moral, team work
· Behavior based
· People based – perception
o (talk about perception mapping may be important here)

Answers…..

Group 1:
1. If it’s a problem: you need to define the problem first
2. If it’s a process: you need to ask, why are you measuring something first
3. Then figure out the method you’re using to measure
4. Ability to quantify circumstances –(attributes) (Define what you can and can’t control)
5. Sampling method – make sure you have a good sample
6. Gauge R&R
7. Observe the process…. And how the measuring process is performed.
8. Clear operational definitions – what makes it a pass or fail.

Group 2:
1. Define why measuring
2. Indentify key points of interest
3. What is the most effective level to measure to
4. (sometime you want work out the high level and let the lower level work itself out)
5. Who does the measuring? Who sets the goals and who is tracking?
a. Question asked: why does it matter who does the measuring? People are more motivated to achieve that goal if they are self-measuring the goals. – trust but verify
6. Identify the most effective level and measure/analyze
7. How many times should one measure?

Let’s move from ambiguity to data!

Thanks to everyone who attending tonight. Next month's discussion may be a case study -- that's Dan for great suggestion. We're going to try to make it happen.

Join us next month - we meet the 2nd thursday of the month in Blue Ash. www.isssc3.com

Determining the Six Sigma project Costs

2009-04-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

Join us April 9th at 5:30 PM to discuss how to determine the overall Six Sigma project costs.

Our User Group meetings are held in Blue Ash at 9902 Carver Road, Ste: 203.

Seating is limited, please RSVP to usergroup@isssc3.com

For additional information, please visit: http://www.isssc3.com/cincinnati_six_sigma_user_group.asp#meeting

How do you calculate the benefits of a Six Sigma Project?

2009-03-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

These are the notes from March 12th (2009) Cincinnati User Group Meeting in where 22 members broke out into 5 groups and discussed "Calculating the benefits of a Six Sigma Project". We then reconvened and came up with the following notes....

Project charter needs to be created with business case then:
· justify by the urgency,
· justify the cost of the project

Categories in which to look for justification:
· Defect reduction (cost of reduction * delta of defects)
· Cost of rework
· Waste reduction
· Efficiency gain
· Safety
· Regulatory requirements
· Cost of doing nothing vs cost of project
· Resources needed
· Expertise available
· Complexity of the project
· Likelihood of success
· **Urgency (what kind of lead time do we have to address this issue – is the problem big for small)
-- Market conditions, regulations, 1st to market, driven by VOC

Then --
** figure out how to tie to the bottom line
** tie to... measure success of which you’re in control

Other notes (on flip board)

Create your baseline of today
Develop category of the benefit
Anything intangible, tie back to the tangible.
Don’t measure beyond of what you can control (author's note: this was a recurring thought, only measure what is within your control scope)

Benefits – save money, risk, revenue
Hard dollars

Soft dollars
Capacity
Competitive advantage

Customer Satisfaction
Reputation (i.e. stay away from WSJ - Sting test for financial MKT)
Quality compliance
Time to market
Synergy (Padu)
******************************************************************

The Cincinnati User Group meets the second Thursday of every month at the ISSSC offices in the Blue Ash area. For more information, please visit: http://www.isssc3.com/cincinnati_six_sigma_user_group.asp

Streamlining processes is one of the keys to riding out this economic storm

2009-02-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

What is your organization doing to sustain itself and prosper in these tough economic times?

Many are laying off employees.
Many companies are reducing the prices of their products in order to close sales.

However, what is that doing to your brand identify and your bottom line?

According to Michael Krauss, president of Market Strategy Group LLC and a Marketing News columnist, there are four keys to riding out this economic storm:

Seek opportunities to add value; stand firm on price; and find ways to interest your customers in the benefits and values of your offerings.
Reassess your segmentation. Make sure you know your customer base and target them correctly.
Seek out adjacent markets
Streamline your processes [and continuous process improvement]. “Marketers need to be cutting costs right now” Krauss says succinctly.

How do you streamline your processes without streamlining your employees onto the unemployment line? You need to:

Identify all areas of a processes using Value Stream Mapping
Lean out the waste and streamline the value added processes to ensure they are in line with the VOC (Voice of the Customer) and VOB (Voice of the Business).
Place employees that are being “leaned out” into proactive roles that stimulate business or enter into a new market segment.
Implement key Lean Six Sigma tools, such as the DMAIC, to improve the quality of each process in order maximize the effectiveness of each process and reduce the costs associated. Hence, increasing the profit margin of your product or service.

Companies looking for help on how to streamline processes or how to implement Six Sigma in their organization should attend ISSSC’s Six Sigma White Belt (Introduction Course). Or, call our professionals at 513.834.8332.

How to present a Six Sigma Project to Management

2009-02-14T05:26:00.000-08:00

During our February Cincinnti Six Sigma User Group, the group discussed "How to present a Six Sigma Project to Managment"... Here are the results/notes from the group break-out session and discussions.

How do you communicate status…update management of progress?

1) Develop Communication Plan…Stakeholders (who, what, when, how, why? [why are they doing the project?])
2) Agreed on milestones (target, dates, tollgates)…timeline
3) * Expenses (Cost Benefit)
4) Project review (how often)?
5) Project Sponsor…support (VP)
6) Key Stakeholders
7) Depends on Audience
8) Communicate “breakthroughs”
9) Shared documentation…Excel/PDF (MS Project)
10) Pre-Meeting for “hot points” with Sponsor/Stakeholders
11) Agenda ahead of time
12) If there’s issue...Be the first to inform with facts…recommend solutions/suggestions
13) Use the mole…get them involved
14) Work with subject matter experts (SME’s)
15) Work with SME’s First then work vertical

Next month’s topic, March 12th at 5:30 PM:
How do you calculate Benefit of project?

Questions/comments/RSVP to usergroup@isssc3.com

Presenting Six Sigma Projects to Management

2009-02-06T11:26:00.000-08:00

As any good Six Sigma professional knows, how we present a Six Sigma project findings to management is just as important as what we define and improve. But, what are the best practices or tools used? How does management want to receive this information?

Come share and collaborate with other Six Sigma professionals at Cincinnti's Six Sigma User Group Meeting.
RSVP to February's User Group MTG - at http://events.linkedin.com/pub/34629

2/12/09
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Free to user group members or $10 at the door

Learn about Six Sigma & how it works

2009-01-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

Six Sigma Methodology is for all companies, across all industries that wish to deliver top quality products and services and reduce costs associated with waste or redundancies. Anyone who is responsible for improving or streamlining processes - across small and large companies - should take this 2- hour course to learn:

The overall Six Sigma methodology
Six Sigma basic terminologies
Six Sigma tools: DMAIC, DFSS and DMADV
Introduction the roles and responsibilities of each “belt”

Find out if Six Sigma is the right solutions for your company. January 22^nd class is currently discounted at 50% off regular price! Register today for only $49.50 per person. Hurry, only a few seats left. http://www.isssc3.com/coursedetails.asp?course=1171045656

Six Sigma 2-Hour White Belt

January 22nd, 9 AM to 11 AM

9902 Carver Road, Suite: 203

Cincinnati, OH 45242

ISSSC's Next Six Sigma User Group

2008-08-28T02:39:00.000-07:00

Meet other Six Sigma professionals in Cincinnati to share ideas, tips and techniques to become better Six Sigma professionals!

ISSSC's second User Group meeting is Thursday, September 11, 2008. The meeting will once again feature certified Six Sigma Black Belt instructor and ISSSC consultant, Esau Borja, as he leads the general topic discussion on 5S – Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. 5S directly applies to the principals of reducing waste before implementing fixes.

For more, visit our Six Sigma User Group page for a full description of the meeting and how to register.

Lean Green Belt Course Added to ISSSC's Public Schedule

2008-08-28T02:27:00.000-07:00

If you've been looking for the right time and place to take a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course, the wait is over! A new Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course has now been added to ISSSC's public schedule.

In October, ISSSC will be providing training in Lean Six Sigma during the week of October 20, 2008. To find out the details, see the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course outline and register for this intensive 5-day Lean Six Sigma course, visit the ISSSC Web site.

Why Six Sigma?

2008-02-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

Have you ever asked yourself how your company can reduce costs and improve efficiency to increase profits? You may have heard of Six Sigma as an option. In fact, it may be the answer. But you also may be asking just how Six Sigma works or how exactly it can benefit you and your company.

You first need to know that Six Sigma is a proven approach for improving bottom line results for companies in a wide array of industries and moves beyond TQM and other Quality programs. Six Sigma uses data to define, analyze and improve operational performance by eliminating and preventing “defects” in products and related processes. Once the improvement is made, ongoing “control” or preventive measures are instituted to change the culture of the process. Additionally, Six Sigma has a well defined infrastructure that supports the team and implantation. Six Sigma emphasizes the role of the customer, employee and stock holders to achieve top quality and improve the bottom line results. Simply put, Six Sigma reduces costs and increases profits by using proven methods to improve efficiency.

With this goal in mind, any organization interested in business success can utilize specific Six Sigma training and consulting to learn the skills necessary to achieve maximum results. Reducing costs and increasing profits is exactly what companies are looking for and why wouldn’t they? It makes sense. Six Sigma is used by both small and large companies. You may already know that Motorola, Honeywell International, Ford and General Electric, have adopted Six Sigma methodologies and continue to practice it today with great success. Even the government agencies such as cities and the DOD are actively seeing significant results with Six Sigma.

Who will benefit from Six Sigma? Engineers, IT and Quality Project Manager and Business Managers just to name a few. If you experience scrambling to meet deadlines, high customer complaints and low employee morale, Six Sigma may help. Six Sigma methodologies helps companies reduce waste, shorten the cycle time, and reduce errors in processes, increase quality and profitability and all you have to do is learn the methodology. Learn the Six Sigma way of doing things and you will discover the tools and resources to spearhead successful projects and generally improve the way your company operates. Plus training and certification in Six Sigma can open up opportunities and help gain the necessary competitive edge to improve efficiency in the workplace and increase profits.

ISSSC (www.isssc3.com) in the Cincinnati area can help you obtain Six Sigma knowledge and certification. The most popular classes are the Applied Six Sigma courses that range from 3-day to 5-Days and focus on the tools a professional requires for immediate implementation of their projects.

Ron Hakes is a certified Black Belt with over 15 years experience in consulting businesses and CEO of Maxx Holdings, LLC, (www.maxx-holdings.com) an Internet based company.