The 10 Best Quality Books of All-Time
Looking for good books to read on the topics of quality, Six Sigma, Lean and OpEx? This reading list shares the best quality-topic books of all-time and book recommendations by topic.
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Michael Cyger
The History of the Hypothesis Testing Flow Chart
Here’s the story about how the hypothesis testing flow chart was developed in Barcelona in 1995, as told by Mike Carnell.
Introducing iSixSigma Version 5 ?
After more than six months of hard work, iSixSigma is celebrating its relaunch today and I’m excited to announce the brand new, redesigned iSixSigma.com.
Lean Six Sigma Online Training and Certification Due Diligence [VIDEO]
If you’re a job candidate, and you search on Google or Bing for Lean Six Sigma certification, you’re likely to only see the training providers paying the most to have the highest listing on the page, or you may only be looking at the provider with the lowest advertised price. How do you figure out…
Statistical Analysis and Data Mining Top Skill of 2014
LinkedIn, the largest and most popular business-oriented social networking service, announced over the weekend their top 25 “hottest skills” of 2014. What is a “hot skill” you’re likely wondering, as I did. Basically, LinkedIn looked across all 330 million member profiles, determined who was hired, which jobs were posted that recruiters were searching for talented…
Design of Experiments to Optimize Any Process or Product [VIDEO] – With Mark Kiemele
As the saying goes, if all you have is a hammer in your toolbox, everything looks like a nail. But if you had a torque wrench or a power drill with a box of bits, you are likely to be much more effective. Design of experiments (DOE) is one of those specialized and sophisticated tools…
Six Sigma Takes a Swing: Making More Hits in Baseball [VIDEO] – With Roger Hart
Baseball teams with high batting averages win championships. And they produce more entertainment for baseball fans, which usually generates more revenue for owners. So why do teams not undertake innovative training to hit better, and why have we not seen a .400 hitter in baseball in more than 70 years? Roger Hart applied the DMAIC (Define,…
Lean Six Sigma Blended Learning for Your Business [VIDEO] – With John Best
Most process improvement practitioners have been a part of in-person learning and many have also participated in online learning. But when it comes to your Lean or Six Sigma program, is one method better than the other? Or would blended learning most benefit your business or organization? In this interview, you will learn how companies…
The 3 Most Important Practices for Achieving Process Excellence [VIDEO] – With Lee Pollock
If you are leading any type of process improvement program, you have probably felt at times like your efforts were yielding less-than-expected results. It is no wonder: the list of possible hurdles to overcome – restrictive organizational structure, politics, stagnant organizational culture, power trips – goes on and on. This interview with Lee Pollock, the…
Where’s Your Data?!
I’ve had more than one colleague accuse me of being overly focused on the data when making business decisions. Clearly I’m not the only one. Who else feels like this kid some days?
Lean Increases Small Team Effectiveness Three-fold [VIDEO] – With Jim Benson
Implementing the Lean methodology in small teams can have enormous benefit, in one case increasing team effectiveness, as measured by throughput, by 200 percent to 300 percent. Other benefits include better communication (both internally and to the entire organization), improved employee moral, improved work output and increased customer satisfaction. Jim Benson describes how, through the…
Choose the Right Process Improvement Methodology [VIDEO] – With Joe De Feo
Most people know what it means to improve a process, but which improvement methodology is best for your organization: Lean, Six Sigma, theory of constraints (TOC), PDCA (plan, do, check, act) or another framework? Joe De Feo, CEO of the Juran Institute, has worked with thousands of organizations to implement every process improvement methodology from…
Change Anything in Your Business or Personal Life [VIDEO] – With Ron McMillan
Self-help books abound for those who are looking to improve themselves, either personally or professionally. What these books fail to address, however, is the personalization that most people need to make lasting change. Ron McMillan is one of the authors of the book Change Anything, which introduces a framework to help you achieve any of…
Understanding Statistical Process Control [VIDEO] – With Eduardo Santiago
Statistical process control (SPC), despite sounding esoteric, is a subject that every process owner and worker should – and can – understand, at least at a high level. Knowing whether a process is in control and stable is paramount to producing a product or service that meets customer needs. In this hour-long Minitab training course…
Minitab Training in Seattle With Eduardo Santiago
I enjoyed taking the Washington State Ferry across Puget Sound from Bainbridge Island today, then driving to Kirkland (East Seattle) to attend Minitab‘s statistics training session. As advertised, Minitab delivered: [div4 class=”approved2″ class2=”module-icon”]Learn to use Minitab Statistical Software to analyze your project data by attending Minitab Training in Seattle, WA March 19-23, 2012. The hands-on…
How to Develop a Lean Six Sigma Deployment Plan [VIDEO] – With Gary Cone
Starting a Lean or Six Sigma initiative at your organization is no easy task. The task is easier, however, when you build a comprehensive deployment plan. In this video, you will learn everything you need to know about a successful Lean or Six Sigma deployment plan, including: What is a deployment plan and why is…
Personal Kanban [Video] – With Jim Benson
Kanban is a Japanese word that translates into “signboard” or “billboard,” and is a tool developed in Lean manufacturing but applied to any process. It is a visual scheduling system that allows a team – for any process – to know what needs to be done, what is being done and what has been done. Kanban can…
What Is Lean Six Sigma [VIDEO] – With Rick Murrow
Historically, Lean and Six Sigma were used to solve two different types of business problems. Today, Lean and Six Sigma are integrated into one methodology and toolset for solving any process problem in any type of organization, from Fortune 500 companies to small private businesses to nonprofit institutions. In this introductory video, you will learn…
How to Use iSixSigma.com
In this video, I walk you through the new iSixSigma.com website, how to use the site, the features, functionality and special areas you might want to investigate further.
New Year, New Site
Welcome to iSixSigma.com Version 4.0! I am excited to announce the launch of iSixSigma.com, Version 4.0, after purchasing back iSixSigma on November 7th. In this short video, I describe some of the new features and exciting updates we’ve made to this version of iSixSigma. Next Video: How to Use iSixSigma.com »
iSixSigma Founder Promises Rebirth of Lean Six Sigma Website
Readers will again have access to the best Six Sigma, Lean and operational excellence resources as well as more ways to share, learn and discover Bainbridge Island, Wash (PRWEB) November 08, 2011: iSixSigma.com, the leading online community and resource portal dedicated to Six Sigma, Lean and other operational excellence methodologies, is back under the ownership…
Six Sigma Costs and Savings
You can’t expect to significantly reduce costs and increase sales using Six Sigma without investing in training, organizational infrastructure and culture evolution.
Bank Deposits: A Black Belt Case Study
A Black Belt used Six Sigma to improve a transactional bank deposit process, resulting in yearly savings of $4 million.
Farewell to iSixSigma from Founder Michael Cyger
Dear iSixSigma Readers, Advertisers, Sponsors and Partners, I have notified the board of Schofield Media Group that I will be transitioning out of my role with iSixSigma during the next several months. Despite current economic conditions, iSixSigma is now a stronger company in many ways than it was just 14 months ago when Schofield Media…
Call for Speakers: Energy Forum for Process Excellence in Houston, May 2009
Over 200 energy industry professionals will gather in Houston, Texas, May 19-22 for iSixSigma Live’s premiere Energy Forum for Process Excellence, supported by Chevron, Halliburton, Hess and Marathon Oil. Here’s your chance to be one of the speakers. Click here for the speaking proposal form: https://www.isixsigma.com/KQ5 We’re especially looking for process improvement professionals who can…
iSixSigma Live Summit and Update – Reception and Keynote
iSixSigma Live Summit ’09 Update – Reception & Keynote Trump International Beach Resort Miami, Florida 5:30-7:30 P.M., Tuesday, January 13, 2009 Six Sigma Wine Tasting and Welcome Reception Hosted by Six Sigma Winery Open to All Summit Attendees 11:30 A.M., Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Mr. Kaj Ahlmann Keynote: “Six Sigma and Wine: Art or Science?”…
Photos of iSixSigma Live! Denver
Jeannine Hall and I returned home from the wild night out in Denver last night. The Social and Networking Party in downtown Denver was a success: people met, mingled, ate, drank and made new friends. Over 100 Denver-ites registered for this event, and we hope to have even more the next time. Thanks to our…
iSixSigma Live! Denver – 2 Spots Remaining
If you live in the Denver, Colorado, area or are planning to be in town next Thursday, 9/25, be sure to make your way over to the Tabor Center for the iSixSigma Live! Social and Networking Party in Denver. Only 2 RSVP spots remain, so don’t delay — sign up today. Our first Social and…
iSixSigma Live! Seattle Video
If you haven’t had a chance to view our latest video of the iSixSigma Live! Social and Networking Party in Seattle, here’s your chance: If you attended, be sure to forward this page to your friends and ask them to see if they can spot you! :) The photo gallery fromiSixSigma Live! Seattle is also available.
Houston, TX Lean and Six Sigma Pros Unite!
There will be a Lean and Six Sigma meeting in Houston, TX, on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 5:30 PM. Tom Tatevasion of Cameron will host the event. Tom will provide an overview of the group, a tour of the Cameron Compression Systems facility, and discuss their Lean Six Sigma program. If you live in…
Save $700 With iSixSigma Live Pre-Agenda Rate
You already know that the iSixSigma community is strong — over 500,000. You may have heard that we’ve launched a conference division. What you may not have heard is that our upcoming January conference will be unlike any other you have attended. Outstanding content. Prestigious keynotes. Unrivaled networking and community. Register today to get your…
Looking for iSixSigma Live 2009 Summit Sessions and Ideas (And Speakers)
I’ve received a few requests from people interested in presenting at our upcoming premiere iSixSigma Live Summit. Who doesn’t want to get to warm Miami during January 2009, stick their toes in the sand, enjoy the luxury of Trump International’s five-star hotel and resort, learn more than you have in two days since you started…
iSixSigma Live Seattle
Last Thursday, May 1st, was iSixSigma’s very first live event from our new division, iSixSigma Live! It was a Social & Networking Party held in Seattle, Washington – and it was phenomenal! Over 130 Seattle Six Sigma and quality professionals converged on Rock Bottom Brewery in Bellevue. We rented out the entire top floor of…
iSixSigma Salary Survey Webcast Recording — Coming Soon
I’ve received a decent number of emails and calls from people who wanted to see our premiere webcast, but couldn’t attend for one reason or another. Rest assured, we will be releasing a recorded version of the webcast soon. We’re still finalizing the recording, landing page, etc. Stay tuned to the iSixSigma Blogosphere for an…
Joseph M. Juran 1904-2008
Many of you have recently heard about the tremendous loss to the Quality profession. There is a press release from Juran Institute and a forum discussion. I had an email forwarded to me from the leaders of the Joseph M. Juran Center for Leadership in Quality. Below is the email: February 29, 2008 Dear…
850+ Registered So Far — iSixSigma’s Premiere Webcast
In a previous post I mentioned that our webcast tomorrow was heading for a record. Well, as of this morning we’re up to 850 registrants. If you haven’t registered, please do so immediately! http://goto.spotfire.com/isixsigmawc/ Michael Marx, our research manager, will be going over the 5th Annual iSixSigma Global Six Sigma Salary Survey and highlighting some…
Largest Six Sigma Webcast in History?
Well, we might be getting close to the largest Six Sigma Webcast in history! If you haven’t seen Michael Marx’s previous post, iSixSigma is planning our premiere webcast event next Tuesday, March 4. It will be given by Michael (research manager for iSixSigma and iSixSigma Magazine) and feature his insights and explanations for salaries around…
Schofield Media Group Announces Acquisition of CTQ Media, iSixSigma
I am pleased and excited to announce that CTQ Media, owner of the publishing brands including iSixSigma, Real Innovation, BPM Enterprise and Sourcingmag, is on the verge of a new era of growth and expansion.
Cox-Box Calendars Almost Sold Out!
If you haven’t secured your own 2008 Cox-Box Wall Calendar, it may be too late. Get them now at https://www.isixsigma.com/calendar/
Minitab – The Video and Soundtrack
Yes, the Six Sigma community has its own cartoon strip. We even have our share of corporate M&A excitement with recent acquisitions (Accenture and Oracle). But where are the good old fashioned MTV music and videos for the Six Sigma community? If you love mullets and buck-teeth, you’re going to love “The MiniTab Song” by…
Net Promoter Score – Call for Speakers
If your company is like iSixSigma, you’ve probably read about Net Promoter Score (NPS) and thought it was a very cool topic. (For those of you who haven’t, you can read our iSixSigma Magazine cover story “Are Your Customers Promoting You…Or Do You Have to Do It Yourself?” in the Nov/Dec 2006 issue.) Net Promoter…
Will Medicare Force Hospitals to Go Six Sigma?
I was driving to pick up my daughter from school yesterday when a story on National Public Radio (NPR) caught my attention. I only heard the end of the segment on the radio, but from what I could tell Medicare was forcing hospitals to change the way they do business by not paying for certain…
Nardelli Back On Top
It didn’t take long for Robert (Bob) Nardelli to land on his feet… You’ve all probably heard by now, Bob Nardelli has been picked to run Chrysler. For those of you that may have forgotten or were not aware of all the details: Bob Nardelli came from GE, where he started in 1971. In 1995…
Durable and Great
The following is theOpen Mike column from the July/August 2007 issue of iSixSigma Magazine, entitled “Durable and Great.” During the last 50 years, companies around the world have focused on operational excellence – the near-flawless execution of business processes. The pursuit of process excellence has evolved through various structured forms, from TQM to Six Sigma…
iSixSigma Is Hiring! Sales Manager and Recruiter
We’re looking for a sales manager to lead our sales effort for iSixSigma (including iSixSigma.com, iSixSigma Magazine), BPM Enterprise and Real Innovation.
ISSSP Wake Up To Life Hike, ISSSP LC 2007
5:15 am: I’ve always heard that the wake up to life is an experience not to be missed.People I spoke to last night at theGrand Evening went on and on about the sunrise, the moon set and the desert scenery. They even said they were going to show up *again* this morning to do the…
Grand Evening, ISSSP LC 2007
It’s closing in on 1:00 am and right about now I’m thinking my earlier commitment to hike Pinnacle Peak is appearing very silly. The bus leaves the hotel at 5:15 am. This is the second time I’ve typed this blog posting, and yes, even those of us in Internet-land mess up and lose entire postings…
ISSSP Valuable Connections at the Outback Oasis
Last evening, about 100 of Six Sigma’s finest went up to the Arizona hills to the Outback Oasis for some R&R after a full day of conference workshops. It was a great day for learning, and it was topped off with 80 degree F weather and cloudless skies. Roxanne O’Brasky, president of ISSSP, and her…
Larry Goldman on Simulation, ISSSP LC 2007
I’m at the ISSSP Leadership Conference with Jessica Harper, managing editor of iSixSigma Magazine and Michael Marx, our resident research manager and blogger-extrordinairre. The weather is beautiful – definitely not as green as Seattle, but the sun is glorious. I’m sitting in a presentation by Larry Goldman of Crystal Ball (of Hyperion and Oracle acquisition-fame)…
A Leader to Follow
The following is theOpen Mike column from the May/June 2007 issue of iSixSigma Magazine, entitled “Getting Ahead in Business with Six Sigma.” Attending the IQPC Six Sigma Summit in January, I was excited to hear the keynote speaker, and I wondered what Gen. Colin Powell could teach Six Sigma professionals about leadership. He had a…