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

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

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?

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

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

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…

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

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.