Global Public Articles

In most IT companies, Six Sigma is being implemented in the core processes such as product development and maintenance. Six Sigma helps by eliminating errors during the product development process, which in turn drastically reduces the probability that the product will not find favor with client needs and requirements.

Many IT companies that have successfully deployed Six Sigma are reaping the associated benefits that come in the form of reduced product redevelopment costs and a drastic improvement in the customer satisfaction levels and brand equity.

Six Sigma Tools and Techniques Employed By IT Companies

IT companies utilize a wide variety of Six Sigma tools and techniques, but if we were to name the most commonly utilized tool, it would certainly be the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Most IT companies are employing this tool because it can be used for the effective management of almost all the core IT processes such as new product development, product redevelopment and enhancements and product maintenance.

This tool works by identifying potential errors and bugs that might surface when the product is finally delivered to the client or end-user. This gives IT companies enough time to take corrective action as might be necessary for reducing the probability of bugs and errors.

The Right Method of Using the FMEA Six Sigma Tool

Although it appears a complex tool to use, FMEA in reality is not all that difficult to employ, because it requires users just to have a negative point of view about things in general. So, Six Sigma professionals such as Black Belts who might employ FMEA, just have to try to discover the possibilities that can have a negative impact on the product or process undergoing development.

After the identification process, the tool is used for classifying different problem areas into different categories based on the level of threat posed by each one of them. The overall threat level referred to as the ‘Risk Priority Number’ (RPN) is calculated by considering all the various aspects such as those mentioned below:

=The probability that a problem will surface (referred to as ‘Occurrence’)
=The potential impact of a given problem (referred to as ‘Severity’)
=The probability of finding an appropriate solution (referred to as ‘Detention)

The RPN helps because it allows Six Sigma professionals to concentrate more on problem areas that might pose a major risk to the product development process. Potential problem areas thus get eliminated in the developmental stage itself, something that ensures the quality of the final product.

Generally, the overall operational cost of IT companies is less than that of manufacturing companies, but since bugs and errors can easily escalate costs by forcing the company to invest in product redevelopment, it is necessary that IT companies use this tool during the product development process. It is only then will they be able to survive the intense competition and make new inroads into the future.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for six sigma professionals including, lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

How many times have you started doing something new, and found out that the environment changed in a way that made your new offering inappropriate? That happens all the time in business. Successful business model innovators avoid this problem by looking at what could happen before anything changes.

Something that is minor irritant or opportunity today can become an enormous factor tomorrow. Forecasting is seldom accurate. To prove that point, go back and look at the forecasts for oil prices when oil was selling for $11 a barrel just a few years ago. No one saw the price going over $40 in 2008. Now, that’s not even close.

Why do people do so poorly at forecasting? Most estimation makes assumptions based on what’s happened in the past. Few will even attempt to consider what hasn’t happened before. Even when they do, they get it wrong.

What was the matter with those forecasts? They didn’t project billions of people expanding their consumption of energy at five times the historical rate. Why did that consumption occur? Well, communist and socialist countries took down some of the artificial barriers to growth that had been in place for decades.

The problem is even worse for predicting trends. The only thing we can accurately say about the future is that it will come, and probably be different from what we expect. The events on and since September 11, 2001 have brought this point home for many business people. On the other hand, we can make important progress towards getting more benefits from unexpected changes by thinking systematically about their potential in advance.

Design 4-7 extreme scenarios (not forecasts) of what could happen (both greatly less and more of each potentially significant factor than today), and think through the as many dimensions of possible value as you can.

You will eventually begin to see paths for adding value that work across all of those scenarios. Those value adding ideas will turn out to be especially powerful because they will leave you better off, not matter what comes next.

Why look at so many value-improving dimensions? It’s simple: The reasons for accepting or rejecting products are always changing. Here’s a recent trend to consider as an example: The most frequent reason for returning consumer electronics isn’t a defect . . . it’s because purchasers can’t figure out the buttons and the directions.

The lesson for you is to assume that you need all the imagination you can muster to establish a superior business model that can weather anything that comes your way.

Donald Mitchell is an author of seven books including Adventures of an Optimist, The 2,000 Percent Squared Solution, The 2,000 Percent Solution, The 2,000 Percent Solution Workbook, The Irresistible Growth Enterprise, and The Ultimate Competitive Advantage. Read about creating breakthroughs through 2,000 percent solutions and receive tips by e-mail by registering for free at

http://www.2000percentsolution.com .

As the internet continues to expand on a daily basis so it provides more and more online opportunities for entrepreneurs. With so many opportunities available, there is a wide variety to choose from. Because of this, it is no surprise that people are flocking to the internet to cash in on their chance of a lifetime. Here are 5 work at home online ideas to consider.

1. Freelance jobs

These have become increasingly popular over the last few years because of the ability it gives people to focus on their specific skills. On the internet you can find freelance jobs in article writing, graphic designing, copywriting, and much more. While it can be difficult to turn this into a full-time job, it is a great way to pick up additional income.

2. Affiliate marketing

Even though Affiliate marketing has been around on the internet for several years now it continues to be one of the top work at home online ideas to consider. There is so much potential because of the hundreds of thousands of affiliate programs available to market. If you do opt to get into affiliate marketing, it is essential that you promote no more than a few programs. The reason for this is because the demand to each program makes it impossible to have success in a plethora of programs.

3. Article writing

Because quality content is something that every website and business needs there is a huge business in article writing. It is amazing how so many people have brilliant ideas for their websites but are incapable of producing copy with their ideas. With content in such a high demand, many businesses are willing to pay to keep their website in the upper half of the search engines.

4. eBay

Many people are beginning to notice that what is junk to them is other people`s treasure, resulting in eBay becoming a popular work at home online idea over the last few years. But aside from selling your own stuff, it has become popular to purchase hot items before they sell out and then sell them on eBay for twice the value.

5. Start your own work at home online business

Starting your own online business allows you to do whatever interests you as long as there is public appeal as well and there is nothing more enjoyable than considering work a hobby. Perhaps the best thing about the internet is that anyone can start their own business.

There are literally hundreds of online home business ideas to choose from because the internet is growing at such a rapid rate. But these are five of the most popular work at home online ideas that home entrepreneurs are jumping on today.

Cynthia Minnaar is the owner of www.cyns-home-biz.com, where you will find work at home online ideas, online business opportunities, extra income opportunities and legitimate online home income resources. Download a free copy of Dotcomology and learn how to start making money online. You may publish my article if you include the bio.

For a lot of people, continually working away at a full-time job day in and day out gets old after awhile and can certainly become more of a hassle than anything. It is partially due to this that more and more people are looking for ways to earn extra income from home. To many people`s surprise there are more opportunities than you would imagine. Here are four extra income ideas for you to consider.

1. Independent contractor

There are a number of entry level positions that you can look into that are far from your old routine. Typically these entry level positions consist of online customer service or telemarketing of some sort. One great thing about this kind of work is that all you need to work is an internet connection and a working phone. Other positions in this field include virtual personal assistants, data entry professionals and medical transcriptionists.

2. Start your own home business

This is one of the most popular extra income ideas because many looking to work from home are entrepreneurs. An option within this field is to start with a direct sales company and sell products from an already established brand. You can sell online, through door to door sales or to friends and neighbors. Direct sales companies are vast and include a wide choice of products to sell.

3. Service to your community

An extra income idea that many overlook is offering service to those in their community. These are extremely popular for women especially, with positions including becoming a hairdresser, setting up a daycare center in your home or becoming a florist. Usually, it is best if you have some experience in these fields prior to starting your own business.

4. The Internet

A great many people do turn to the internet when looking for extra income ideas. There are so many extra income opportunities and options to choose from on the internet. Whether you want to get into freelancing, start your own online home business, or advertise for a company, there is a plethora of opportunities to consider. Although the competition is stiff on the internet, the possibilities for success far outweigh any struggles that you may face.

When most people think of extra income ideas, the internet is the sole thing that comes to mind. But in actuality, there is a wide array of opportunities that you have to choose from. Whether you want to start your own business serving your community out of your home or earn an income on the internet, anything is better than having to work the 9 to 5 job you are doing right now.

Cynthia Minnaar is the owner of www.cyns-home-biz.com, where you will find extra income ideas, online home business startup ideas, extra income opportunities and resources. Subscribe to her Free Online Home Business Ideas Newsletter and receive free internet income training.

This is not only one of my favorite topics but one of my favorite things to do: Writing powerful, “attention grabbing,” benefit driven, knock out punch headlines that are oozing with excitement that get your prospects to TAKE ACTION! (ok, clearly got carried away right there).

The headline of your sales messages, whether in an on-line ad, in the local newspaper or in an email subject line is responsible for 70% to 80% of the response from your sales message. The success or failure of any marketing effort rests, to a large degree, on the power of your headline.

Pay very close attention…

David Ogilvy is one of the most respected modern day marketing authorities. He revealed that, with the average headline, only 200 people out of 1000 will go on to read your ad. And that is where your profit is sitting. Capture another 200 customers with an exciting headline and you will double your sales. Lose 100 readers with a poor headline and you lose half your sales. Big difference.

Headlines are just that important. Even poorly written ads have been very successful because of the overwhelming power of interesting and exciting “attention grabbing” headlines.

Your prospects will decide whether to read your sales message in only two or three seconds. That’s all the time they will give you to scan your headline. Really, you and I are no different. We do not READ a newspaper, we SCAN the headlines, article headlines and ad headlines. We are looking for only what interests us at the moment.

Here are four critical tips for writing your next powerful, “attention grabbing” headline for your home business enterprise:

1. MAKE SURE YOUR HEADLINE IS THE FIRST WORD GROUP YOUR PROSPECT SEES:
I know this may seem like a “no-brainer” but I see this mistake time and again, particularly in local newspaper advertising or on web sites. And even more amazing, the ads the newspaper “experts” use to promote themselves seldom follow this rule.

Take a look through your newspaper. Notice how many businesses start out their ad with their store name and location right at the top. HUGE mistake! This is a terrible waste of their prime “real estate.” It’s an ego thing and can easily cost them 25% to 50% of their potential sales.

Always keep in mind, the public could careless about you or your product. Sorry to be the one to tell you that. Tough pill to swallow sometimes, I know, but the fact of the matter is; they’re only interested in themselves and fulfilling their current desires. As humans, we are all self centered by nature. That doesn’t mean we’re selfish, just self-centered on “what’s in it for us.” Big difference.

Put your company name at the bottom. If the headline draws them in to read your ad, and you convince them to take action they will find your business name, no matter how small.

2. MAKE SURE YOUR HEADLINE DELIVERS THE PUNCH LINE:
The “punch line” is the unique and powerful part of your sales message. You aren’t telling a joke here. Do not save the best part of your offer until last. Determine the most compelling part of your offer and put it right at the top of your ad in BIG, bold print. Virtually shout it out! And make the wording active, not passive.

For example: “Save 50% On Your Next Suit” is passive. “Take Home Two Suits For The Price Of One” is an active headline.

3. USE ‘WORDS’ YOUR PROSPECT ARE SEARCHING FOR:
Here is another costly mistake you will see every day. Do not try to get everybody to read your ad by being vague or cute. “Everybody” is not your potential customer. Your prospects are only those who want today what you have for sale today. By trying to capture everybody, you will actually lose many of your most important prospects - the ones that want to give you money.

Your headline should sort out the buyers. Be specific. If you are selling Mens Suits, then say “Men’s Suits,” not “Mens Clothing.” Do not say “Men’s Clothing Sale.” Say something like: “Men’s Suits - Two For The Price Of One For A Limited Time.” The more focused your headline, and your sales message, the better the response.

4. YOUR HEADLINE SHOULD BE SHORT AND SWEET:
The headline should be as few words as possible, yet long enough to tell them what you are selling and why they should read your message. Usually ten words or less is a good target. The consumer will read longer headlines if the first four words grab their attention. If you need more words, start with a large, short headline leading to a smaller type, longer worded sub-headline.

Email ‘Subject Line’ Tip:
No matter what subject line you write, keep it short and sweet, because many e-mail programs cut off long subject lines. Here are the maximum subject line lengths (including spaces) in some popular e-mail programs:

AOL: 52 characters
Hotmail: 45 characters
Outlook Express: 64 characters
Yahoo: 80 characters

Here are some simple and fun ways to find profitable headline ideas:

* Look through your newspaper every day. Watch for headlines on articles and ads that really grab your interest. Think about why those headlines worked on you…

* While waiting to check out at the supermarket, read the headlines on the gossip tabloids. Those headlines are THE main reason, if not the only reason, millions of people buy them every week. Super market tabloids have the highest paid copywriting experts on staff who do nothing but write compelling and extremely profitable headlines. And these headlines are always good for a little entertainment too…

* Your junk mail is a virtual goldmine of great headlines and sub-headlines. Save the ones you like for future use. Mix, match and adapt these headlines to suit your home business. If you see a headline used over and over again, it’s because it is making a lot of money for that company. You do not have to re-invent the wheel. Somebody paid $1000’s to write that headline, and $1000’s more to test it - and you get to use it free.

* Practice writing good headlines in the subject line of your personal emails. This is fun practice and your recipients will enjoy it too. “RE: This Weekend” is passive and boring. “RE: Let’s Hit The Beach This Weekend” is active and exciting…

* Buy a good book on marketing! You should be involved in at least one marketing or copywriting related book or course at ALL times. Continuing education in this area will be a HUGE difference maker in your marketing efforts. Hands down.

If you follow these tips, you will become an expert in no time - smarter than 90% of your competitors and 80% of newspaper advertising consultants.

Andrew J. Cass is a Home Business Development Expert and Professional Marketing Consultant. To learn how you can achieve more in the next 12 months than the previous 12 years and explode your Home Business empire, sign up for Andrew’s FREE Ezine at: http://www.TheHomeBusinessInsider.com