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Tony Jacowski's Articles

  • Six Sigma Project Reviews
    Communication is an integral part of Six Sigma projects. It starts from the project charter and moves ahead with the project reviews, also called milestones or tollgate reviews. The project charter defines all major issues related to the project, right from the start to the planned "last date", process problems, relevance of the processes, process goals, measurements and so on.
  • Tips On Keeping Six Sigma Teams Motivated
    In the modern competitive age, success is the mantra for life, whereas failure spells death and decay. Inefficiency or lack of speed implicit in failure is unacceptable and unpardonable. The competitive ethos of the contemporary world places enormous demands on us; we have no choice but to perform or perish.
  • Six Sigma Training vs. Total Quality Management
    Many are of the view that the Six Sigma Training and Total Quality management is the same; in other words it (TQM) is an old wine in a new bottle (Six Sigma). However, Six Sigma and TQM are two different things, with Six Sigma being relatively newer than TQM.
  • Six Sigma: IDOV Methodology
    When the need is felt for a Six Sigma project, the outcome may be a change in the existing processes, or the development of a new process or product. Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is concerned with the development of a new product. Even in the case of DFSS, there are methodologies like DMADV, DCCDI, IDOV and DMEDI, which may be used according to the needs of the project.
  • Lean Management Tools and Six Sigma Integration
    An overview of lean management tools and how they relate to six sigma integration.
  • How To Convert Your Internship Into A Full-Time Job
    A successful internship may lead to a job offer by the company. For this to happen, candidates need to make a conscious effort to impress their superiors.
  • E-Learning And Six Sigma Certification
    With the technological improvements happening every day, learning with the aid of electronic media is catching on like never before. E-learning, which stands for electronic learning, covers various things like web-based applications, virtual classrooms, learning via Internet, satellite broadcasts, CD-ROMs and so on.
  • How to Find Your Ideal Internship Program
    Internships are work-related learning experiences that provide students and fresh graduates with an opportunity to gain knowledge and skill in a particular field and to gain exposure to a field of interest.
  • How To Successfully Implement Your Career Plan
    Anyone can make plans, but successful people implement their plans and make them work. Planning without execution is just daydreaming.
  • How To Network Your Way To A New Job
    A lot of companies do not advertise or publicly announce job openings or internships. They prefer to fill positions through their employees' recommendations. Advertising and interviewing a large number of people wastes the company's money and time.
  • 7 Quick Tips to Improve Your Resume
    An outstanding resume can impress recruiters who interview the multitudes of candidates. Smart applicants craft resumes that speak graphically of their strengths while underplaying shortcomings. The communication is concise and clear, commanding quick attention.
  • How Lean Six Sigma Training Inspires Quality And Efficiency
    Lean manufacturing is all about ensuring that products move faster through processes. The Six Sigma methodology ensures that the quality and efficiency of the goods being manufactured also improves. Thus, a combination of the two as Lean Six Sigma can bring out key transformations and improve the efficiency of goods and services being provided.
  • Career Burnout - 9 Signs That It's Time for a Change
    No matter what career or profession you are pursuing, you may be subject to exhaustion and mental strain, which do not discriminate by person or profession. Work stress and worker burnout plague everyone at every career level at one time or another.
  • How To Be Taken More Seriously At Work
    A guide on how you can be taken more seriously in the workplace.
  • Employee Surveys For Six Sigma Success
    For any business, big or small, employees are the most important assets. The morale of the employees is what keeps them going. Employees with low morale will hamper the growth of the business as a whole. These businesses will benefit from undertaking surveys to gauge the morale among the employees of the company.
  • Your Career Research Checklist
    The world is full of job choices within different fields. Whether you are seeking a new job or want to change to another industry, the plethora of options can be very confusing. How can you decide on which career path to take?
  • Your Personality Could Land You the Perfect Job
    You may wonder how personality alone can help you fetch the right job. However, your personality creates the first impression on interviewers and plays an important role in their selecting you. The fact is that certain job profiles can be handled only by specific personalities.
  • Unemployed? How To Make The Most Of It
    Most of us don't like to be idle; and we particularly don't want the world to know we are unemployed. However, being unemployed can work in your favor if you approach it proactively.
  • How To Build Your References
    As a jobseeker, you need people to support you and vouch for your abilities and skills. You need to put a lot of thought into who you want to use as potential references.
  • Do You Want To Work At Home?
    Working from home has caught the fancy of the American public. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than four million people have home-based businesses.
  • 6 Great Tips For An Impressive Resume
    Your resume is your calling card; it is the first contact you will have with your future employer. If your resume is well written, it will open the door for a personal interview and give you a chance to explain and expand the contents and to sell yourself in person. Your resume is essentially a marketing tool that you can use to promote yourself.
  • Managing The Change To A Continuously Improving Culture
    Six Sigma is a methodology for solving complex situations, as well as for continuous sustained improvements. Continuous improvement is about small improvements undertaken in the organization at various levels at the micro level of process and practices. It is about bringing about small changes that can improve the quality of the processes and the output as well.
  • Using Lean Six Sigma Training To Reduce Excess And Obsolete Inventory
    Lean Six Sigma is a preferred solution to sort out the problem of excess inventory. Lean Six Sigma solutions have proved to be extremely useful in tackling the problem over the years. There are various high level and low-level root causes for this problem.
  • Role of Facilitators, Mediators and Arbitrators in Six Sigma Projects
    In any organization, the most important resource is the human resource. And with human nature comes the situations of disputes. In Six Sigma projects, we will find situations where there is a need for dispute resolution. The reasons for disputes vary; it maybe distrust among individuals or rivalries.
  • Tools To Make Value Flow To The Customer
    Value is what customers expect from any company when they buy a product. The product has value when it meets the expectations or requirements of the customer. The expected value is not easy to determine for new products and services, but needs to be done. This can be done with the help of surveys, focus groups and other techniques.
  • 7 Easy Steps To A Bigger Paycheck
    If you think it is time to get a bigger paycheck, then go ahead and get it. Let's take a look at some of the possible ways to increase your paycheck.
  • The Kaizen Philosophy
    Simply put, Kaizen is a philosophy of continuous improvement. The more popular way of applying Kaizen is by undertaking blitz or focused bursts for the improvement in business. In the Japanese context, it is applied to every aspect of life, but the major utility you will find in America is mostly for work processes.
  • DMAIC Project Selection Using A Systematic Approach
    The DMAIC methodology for Six Sigma has been applied well to the manufacturing industry. Its utility as a process has been proved beyond doubt but a systematic approach to project selection is what needs more consideration. While cost and efficiency has to be managed well by the Six Sigma Black Belts, a systematic approach to DMAIC methodology can prove to be highly efficient.
  • Six Sigma Training For The Banking Industry
    Six Sigma has developed and shown good results in the manufacturing industry. However, the concepts and tools of Six Sigma are such that they can be used in any industry; service, banking, help desk functions and many more. In the banking sector, it gives a major boost the quality of services rendered.
  • Making The Best Use Of Process Improvement Consulting
    There are often times when companies want to bring about changes in organizational culture. They want to make improvements in the overall processes and bring about a quality culture like Six Sigma to the system. This is when they must decide if they should hire an external or an internal business consultant.
  • Tips For New Graduates - Moving On
    Once you obtain a degree, it is time to start a job search in earnest. It is important to secure a job in your field of expertise, as this would lead to a successful career and job satisfaction to help your growth and development as an employee.
  • Using Interviews To Shape Six Sigma Deployment
    A Six Sigma initiative will be successful when it becomes a way of life for the entire organization. The executives, champions, Black Belts and Green Belts and the Master Black Belts have to undertake the deployment in a planned manner to ensure this. All organization members, from the CEO to the end users, should be involved in the process.
  • Take Charge Of Your Professional Goals - Seek A Mentor
    The initiation of a good growth plan is only possible with the help of an able mentor. Therefore as an employee, to move forward in your quest to attain your professional goals, first identify someone willing to help you by providing advice and counseling.
  • Changing Careers - Ultimate Tips For Success
    When you think of changing your career, it is natural to be worried about the difficulties that may be involved in the transition. It happens to everyone contemplating a career change - and being one of the most important decisions of your life, it is one of those that are the most stressful.
  • Getting A Job Without A College Degree
    Landing a great job without a college degree sounds impossible to you? Read on to find out exactly how to do it!
  • How To Handle Your Performance Appraisal
    If you are nervous about an impending performance appraisal, then you are not alone. Most people are not very comfortable during an appraisal - and the following points can help you to make you more confident and less afraid when sitting down for one.
  • Preparation - The Key To A Successful Interview
    In your search for a job, you keep submitting one application after another as you come across what you consider suitable job openings. Once you submit your job application, the wait for the interview begins.
  • The Concept Of Zero Defects In Six Sigma
    We have often heard the concept of zero defects in relation to Six Sigma. Six Sigma is defined as 3.4 defects per million opportunities, allowing for a process shift up to 1.5 sigma.
  • Six Sigma Training For Software Implementation Projects
    The beauty of Six Sigma is that it can be implemented in every field and is not just limited to the manufacturing Industry. The use of the Six Sigma concepts has caught on with the service industry, and that involves the software industry as well.
  • Six Sigma And Lean For The Pharmaceutical Industry
    Pharmaceutical companies are focusing on cost reduction and compliance. The industry is concentrating on reducing risk by improving the quality of the manufacturing process. Relying on end-of-process tests that may not be as reliable, these companies are looking at Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles which have been effective in the manufacturing and other industries as well.
  • Road Map For Six Sigma Trained Green Belts
    In the Six Sigma organizational structures, the Six Sigma trained Black Belts play the critical role of analysis and problem solving. They are assisted in their activities and other Six Sigma project functions by the Green Belts.
  • Process Ownership Is Vital To Six Sigma Project Success
    The most important functions of a Six Sigma project team are those executed by the Six Sigma Champion, Black Belts and the Master Black Belts. They will get maximum recognition for their efforts. But other members of the team who play an important role are the process owners. They are responsible for the management of the processes in the organization.
  • Improving Help Desk Functions by Using Six Sigma Training
    The beauty of Six Sigma Training is that it proves to be the best methodology to bring about changes for betterment in the manufacturing industry as well as the financial, telecom, and health care sectors. At the same time, the Six Sigma methodology can also benefit the services industry for improving customer service processes, problem solving, and internal support services.
  • Six Sigma Training - Employee Assessments
    An important consideration of Six Sigma is the fact that the productivity of employees is dependent upon their level of satisfaction. For the success of the business, the assessment of employee contributions is useful. An assessment of all business processes at their top performance levels is vital to meet the challenges in this competitive world.
  • 3 Easy Steps To Accessing The Hidden Job Market
    As we all know, there are a plethora of jobs being advertised daily, through jobsites, newspapers and magazines and many other sources. Thousands of jobseekers take advantage of these advertisements to send in their job applications. Jobs applicants however far exceed the number of available jobs. You may be surprised to know that nearly eighty percent of available jobs are never advertised.
  • Various Levels Of Six Sigma Training and Certification
    The objective of the Six Sigma methodology is to reduce defects by improving processes and products and services. It involves identification of problem areas and rectification by formulating various techniques. The entire process involves lots of data collection and data analysis to be done using the various tools that Six Sigma provides. The attempt is to cut costs and reduce wastage of resources.
  • The Pros And Cons Of Launching A Home-Based Business
    The idea of starting a home-based business is indeed a very intriguing idea. It involves the entire family and can be run successfully. Running a home-based business most importantly allows you to be your own boss. It will give you a feeling of freedom - but it is also important to consider the risk factors involved.
  • What You Should Know About Pre-employment Tests
    The Pre-employment Test has almost always takes the executive candidate by surprise. This has become part of the interviewing process, whereby organizations assess behavior and ethical habits exhibited in the workplace.
  • The Keys To Successful Career Assessment
    When embarking on a new career or gauging your level of success, it helps to keep in mind certain tips. These tips hold the key to a successful career assessment. Follow them with care, and you will find success in your career choice.
  • Resume Tips For Landing A Job Overseas
    The first thing to do when looking for a career opportunity abroad is to prepare your curriculum vitae (CV). Curriculum vitae is the term used abroad, which compares with the resume that is commonly used in the America. Every CV is structured differently and created according to your qualifications, the job being applied for, your skills, abilities, and work experience.
  • The DMAIC Model And Business Success
    The major success factor of any organization is the competitive edge it has over others. This is dependent upon the quality of products offered by the business according to the expectations of the customer. For this, the major aspect is the reduction of defects to zero.
  • The Do's and Don'ts of Changing Careers
    It's a common myth that you cannot look out for a career change in the middle of your present path. If you have the skills, you should always try working with the best in the industry. There are number of people who attempt to switch jobs only to find themselves in a bad situation for which they are unprepared.
  • Job Workshops - Helping Students Gain Confidence
    As competition increases, it has become important for students to attend job workshops that can help them stand apart from the crowd. Many job candidates lose out on good opportunities simply because they were unprepared for the interview process and did not have the confidence needed for success.
  • 8 Tips For Switching To A Higher Paying Career
    How many times have you felt unsatisfied with your job and have wanted to work for a top employer in another industry? We all have goals in life and want to achieve them.
  • A Six Sigma Training Primer
    The training or education of employees is vital to the success of Six Sigma projects in any organization. Six Sigma training includes imparting knowledge about the various core concepts and techniques of Six Sigma.
  • Roles And Responsibilities Of Six Sigma Trained Champions & Master Black Belts
    Each organization will have its own structure and approach to Six Sigma. A successful Six Sigma deployment is the result of the teamwork of the members of the Six Sigma team. The deployment is successful if the approach is a top down one. Typically, a Six Sigma team has various members with varied roles and capabilities.
  • Theory Of Constraints And Six Sigma
    Six-Sigma is a methodology that aims at high performance using a data driven approach. It aims at reducing defects in the work processes and delivers valuable products according to the requirements of customers. The objective is to eliminate defects that have a negative impact on customer satisfaction levels.
  • Is Six Sigma Training Only For Big Companies?
    Big companies like Motorola, General Electric, Sony, Toshiba and many more like them have rolled out Six Sigma projects and implemented them successfully. This naturally gives rise to a misconception that Six Sigma is limited to just big companies. However, the approach of Six Sigma is such that its deployment can be modified to suit small and medium-sized businesses as well.
  • Benefits Of Integrating Six Sigma And Lean Manufacturing
    Lean manufacturing aims at pursuing continuous elimination of waste. It is a philosophy implemented throughout the world with a goal to identify and eliminate unproductive tasks, activities and behavior in the manufacturing environment. Businesses are facing huge competition and need to implement new methods of sustaining profitability and efficiency.
  • Important Interview Techniques You Should Master
    Whether you are a graduate fresh out of a university or whether you have years of experience, facing an interview is not an easy job for anyone. However, confidence and preparation will help you make a good impression. Your overall appearance and approach can make a difference in your prospects of getting the job.
  • How To Approach Executive Recruiters
    Finding a new job can be a very tough task, especially at the beginning of your career. This intimidating task can be made easier with the help of executive recruiters, who can simplify the job search.
  • Customize Your Job Hunt to Suit Your Needs
    When looking for a new job, you need to customize your search to match your needs. This may seem the natural process to follow, but actually there is no set pattern for a job hunt.
  • The Essential Ingredients Of A Perfect Job
    Defining your perfect job is up to you. No two people will have identical requirements. For some, it may be just one factor, while for others it may be a combination of two or more.
  • Essential Resume Writing Tips
    Your resume is the key to your dream job. Take care with how you design it; a good one will help you get that coveted interview call. Here are a few guidelines to help you prepare this important tool.
  • Facilitation Techniques For Certified Six Sigma Teams
    Facilitation allows teams to arrive at an outcome for which they take the entire responsibility and are committed to achieving it. The facilitators are the catalyst to create a working and productive chemistry among the members of the project. They bring about the best results in the interests of those involved.
  • The Kano Analysis And Customer Needs
    In the current competitive scenario, customer satisfaction is of great importance in just about every field. Every organization is making an effort to listen to the voice of the customer and bring about the appropriate changes to the products or services they offer to achieve customer satisfaction.
  • Design Risk Assessment In Six Sigma Implementation
    A Six Sigma project is undertaken when a need is felt to bring about changes in an existing process or product design. It may be an entirely new process or product that is designed, or it may be a few improvements or additions to existing ones.
  • The Ins And Outs Of Freelancing
    Once you are familiar with the kind of job you have trained for, you may be able to work as a freelancer. This career leaves you free to work on a non-committal basis, which is not binding in any way.
  • The Five W's and One H Approach to Six Sigma
    A Six Sigma project is generally undertaken to bring about changes in the process and products for improved productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction. Its aim is the reduction of defects and reaching a quality standard of 6 sigma. The Five W's and One H approach can be effective in understanding a process or product taken up for improvement.
  • Project Planning And Six Sigma Certification
    When an organization undertakes a Six Sigma project, the success of the project lies in its systematic management. There are various tools for project management, such as project plans, Gantt charts, Pareto Analysis and so on.
  • Coping With A Career Transition Crisis
    Career transitions can be very stressful. Everybody copes differently with stress; however, for most, a downsizing of their careers is difficult to handle. It is a crisis not only of feeling unstable about your future, but also about your present. It may be a crucial turning point where it's difficult to be sure whether a decision you have made is a right career move or not.
  • Choosing The Right Projects For Six Sigma Implementation
    Six Sigma projects are undertaken to bring about changes for the betterment of process, which in turn will improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately profit margins. Project selection is dependent upon various factors like those that have a customer perspective - while some are relevant from the shareholders point of view.
  • Evaluating Six Sigma Certified Team Performance
    Six Sigma projects are not dependent on the best tools and data and the improvement methods as much as they are on the effective teams. All team members contribute to the success of the project. Evaluating team performance follows the same principle as evaluating any performance.
  • Geographically Scattered Six Sigma Certified Project Teams
    Six Sigma projects are, more often than not, based on the assumptions that the units under consideration will be in close geographical vicinity, mainly in the same physical plant. Leading a Six Sigma team is itself a challenge - and when it comes to managing teams at different locations scattered over vast geographical areas, it becomes even tougher.
  • The Philosophy Of Six Sigma
    For years, many companies have worked hard in their attempt to achieve high profitability levels in their businesses. Business leaders are constantly on the lookout for new ideas that will have sustainable improvements over a larger period of time. For an integrated approach and to find the right tools for overcoming such issues, Six Sigma has come into limelight.
  • Six Sigma Team Recognition And Rewards
    It is human nature to feel good and motivated to work further if a job well done is rewarded or recognized - even in a small way. In companies, it can prove to be of high value and encouragement for employees to work hard. Rewards give them the message that they are valued for their contributions - and that proves to be a good enabler for further sincere effort.
  • Six Sigma: Phases Of Benchmarking
    On a Six Sigma project, you would generally face questions such as: how well is your organization doing? How do you compare to others? Are the best practices being used? - and so on. But, the real question is who comparisons are being made with.
  • Process Improvement Teams For Six Sigma Success
    Very often, the managers of the company devote their time to fighting fires and find little time to carry out daily responsibilities or improvement initiatives. The Six Sigma approach uses cross-functional dedicated teams to initiate improvements in the existing organizational processes.
  • Merging Six Sigma And The Balanced Scorecard
    Every business leader wants to take their company to higher levels of profitability. This is accomplished by taking all stakeholders on the route of satisfaction by providing good value products or services. In this attempt, improving existing processes and developing new processes or products wherever required is one solution that a Six Sigma initiative can bring about.
  • Aligning Six Sigma And Healthcare
    One sector which must have zero defects is the Healthcare Sector. Everyone from doctors, patients, healthcare administrators and other medical professionals wish that this sector become perfect, with mistakes entirely eliminated and efficiency improved to maximum extent.
  • Guidelines For Six Sigma Healthcare Project Selection
    Six Sigma can be an effective approach to the improvement of services by any health care organization. Its utility can be advantageous to the betterment of services like those of the administration department, housekeeping, emergency and operating processes and so on.
  • Tips To A Smooth Start At A New Job
    You have begun your new job and you are already being sized up by your colleagues, who are forming their impressions of you! Remember that your attitude and behavior are what form your reputation.
  • Tips To Empower Your Team At Work
    In today's competitive world, if an organization is to succeed, it is necessary for its managers to empower their teams. While it is not the only important ingredient in a plan for success, empowerment of the team is essential.
  • Tips For Identifying Your Strengths And Landing The Job You Want
    Every individual who has ever looked for a job knows that it pays to include your strengths in your resume or cover letter. If you know your strengths, you can sell yourself better.
  • Negotiating Your Salary During The Job Interview
    Salary negotiations are an important part of the interview process. Most often, these are dealt with in the final phase of a series of interviews. Remember, this is your chance to ensure that you will join the new organization on the best terms possible.
  • How To Earn Respect From Your Colleagues
    It is always difficult to switch from one job to the other. People don't like to move out of their comfort zones. However, once you've made the move, it's important to start in the new job with a positive attitude, particularly toward your new co-workers.
  • How To Choose The Right Career Path
    An overview on how to choose the path thats right for you.
  • Making The Most Of A Job You Hate
    You could count yourself among a lucky few if you have the job of your dreams. Many people must compromise and accept a job not of their choice. Here are some tips that can help you out if you are not in love with your job.
  • 7 Reasons Why Six Sigma Benchmarking Efforts Fail
    Benchmarking is comparing the results of other organizations for the superior processes and results achieved by them with that of your organization. It is comparing your own processes with the best practices of the top-level companies. It is not mere goal setting, but evaluating the approach of these companies to achieve the sustained results.
  • The Basic Steps To A Successful Interview
    You have answered the advertisement and have received the interview call. Here are a few basic steps that will help you leave your interviewer with no choice but to hire you.
  • Recognizing Your Skills and Abilities to Enhance Your Career
    You have worked in a particular field for ages, and you wish to make a change. Yet, your lack of experience in other fields makes you skeptical about applying for a job you're interested in. So what's next?
  • How To Get Your Career Change In Motion
    You already know that there is competition in the job market - that there are more candidates than job openings. So what will help you become the right candidate?
  • Tips For The Career Woman
    Tips for women on how to manage and handle "it all"!
  • How To Interact With Potential Employers Effectively
    A guide to the etiquette of formal and professional communications.
  • Healthy Career Habits You Should Always Maintain
    Ambition is the key to progress and achievement in anyone's life. If you are ambitious, then with the right guidance and good choices, there will be no limits to your career growth. However, there are certain principles that you need to follow to avoid disappointments.
  • Maintaining A Balance Between Career And Home
    With all the ease that modern technology has brought to elevate our comfort levels, we still need to make an effort to balance the two worlds of career and home. The lure of extra money has created a desire in all jobseekers to look for lucrative job options.
  • What Is DFSS?
    An overview of DFSS, or design for six sigma, and how it relates to six sigma methodology overall.
  • Understanding Six Sigma Deployment Failures
    There is no specific definition of "failure" of the Six Sigma deployment. However, there arises a need to get the assistance of the Black Belts and Green Belts to support the business when the consultants have moved on.
  • The Six Sigma Cycle of Change
    To achieve Six Sigma, a company ought to concentrate on a change in process aimed at specific results. Change - like anything else- involves following certain steps that will lead to your goal and the implementation of Six Sigma. Six Sigma is about culture change. It involves a cycle of changes in behavior, company culture change and achieving results from experiences.
  • Sustaining Results From Six Sigma
    Many companies are now facing a problem of lack of commitment and loyalty from their own employees.

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