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 ticket to the "must-attend" Lean Six Sigma leadership event of the year and save up to $700.00.

All Access Pass holders will receive:

• Three and a half days of cutting-edge sessions, keynotes and Q&A time for deep discussions.
• A comfortable, intimate setting that promotes networking with speakers and fellow conference participants.
• Access to all speaker presentations, including worksheets, PowerPoints and other session materials.
• All conference meal functions and refreshment breaks.
• Access to our two evening networking receptions, and the classic car museum tour.
• Access to our Solutions Pavilion and Learning Sessions, showcasing the products and services that will drive your business growth.
• Best practices for deploying and implementing Lean Six Sigma at any organizational maturity level.

You can register with confidence...here’s why:

• Our reputation: The iSixSigma Live programming team includes the sharpest minds in Six Sigma. Together, iSixSigma Founder Michael Cyger and CSSBB Director of Events Jeannine Hall have moderated Six Sigma discussions, published on luminaries and educated generations of Six Sigma professionals. They bring with them the full support of iSixSigma.com and iSixSigma Magazine editors, research manager and program managers.
• Our mission: iSixSigma was founded by successful Six Sigma professionals from corporate America. We understand how businesses run. And we understand the role that Six Sigma must play. Our mission is to help corporations run smarter, faster and cheaper using Six Sigma. We are invested in the success of our readers and conference attendees.
• Our history: We have been fostering community, connecting a network of individuals and educating Six Sigma professionals around the world since 2000. Our core competency is content. While others may have been producing conferences for almost as long, our conferences will be different. We have designed them from the ground-up with real attendee VOC and CTQs.

Be recognized for your breakthrough results:

As part of the iSixSigma Live! Summit and Awards, iSixSigma will recognize companies and individuals who have successfully achieved breakthrough results. Finalists will be given an opportunity to showcase their project/deployment in front of 300 Lean Six Sigma practitioners from around the world.

Award categories include:

• iSixSigma’s Six Sigma Hall of Fame
• iSixSigma’s Best Places to Work
• Largest Breakthrough Improvement Projects
• Most Successful Lean Six Sigma Start-up or Re-energized Lean Six Sigma Program

Deadlines to enter are coming up! For more information on award categories and entry requirements, visit: http://live.isixsigma.com/awards/default.html.

Register or call 1.877.474.9744
Don’t delay. Sign up today at the pre-agenda rate and take advantage of huge savings.

Register Today -- You will be confident with your decision!

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 learning Six Sigma, and network with the finest 300 business professionals in the world?

It’s easy to present at our upcoming Summit: suggest a great session. Do that and you have an excellent chance to present.

You can learn more and pitch a session idea here. Presentations/sessions will be accepted through June 30, and then we’ll finish the agenda. After that, we’ll have some additional speaker openings posted. But the best way in is to suggest a killer session before someone else submits the same one!

I look forward to working with you on this conference!

Best regards,
Mike

P.S. I think there is tremendous value in sitting back for a moment and thinking over the last 12 month's results. It’s astonishing how many lessons you learn that you forget later in your regular work cycle.

I truly believe that every process improvement professional has learned at least one significant lesson this year that will benefit others, if you only tell it. Here’s your platform to share your test results with the community -- and also to be recognized for the breakthrough results you’ve delivered. (Did I mention that every presenter receives a free pass to the main conference? That’s a $2,200 value! And there are other perks that you’re going to LOVE.)

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 the brewery ("top of the rock") and had a great time. Upon entering, attendees received their name tags and a networking activity which guaranteed they met tens of new people during the event.

The Party featured interesting people, fantastic conversations, an open bar, a lavish appetizer buffet, billiards, music, and a raffle (autographed books, iSixSigma garb, and an iPod Video graciously donated by Instantis). No one left disappointed -- even if they didn’t win a door prize, everyone walked away with an iSixSigma Live! goodie bag full of sponsor offers, tschochkes, coupons and discounts.

The emails are still pouring in:

"There were so many people there I found I had a great opportunity to reach out and make new contacts as well as catch up with former acquaintances." -- David, Philips Medical Systems

"I was looking for Movers and Shakers in the local 6 Sigma community, Michael Cyger and iSixSigma provided the place, and the FUN just started from there." -- Greg, Harnish Group

"I was pleasantly surprised to see that attendance was much higher than I expected. The event was well organized and it provided exactly what advertised. A chance to meet other six sigma professionals in a social event. Good job. I’ll definitely will be attending future iSixSigma events." -- Gerry, Calypso Medical Technologies

"It was really easy to meet people. Everybody had a lot in common, including a passion for organizational excellence through Lean Six Sigma. All you had to ask was "where do you work and what projects are you working on?" This would result in 20+ minutes of great conversation that included valuable knowledge and lessons learned. I would like the next mixer sooner than Sept/Oct." -- Larry, FAA

"This is a great opportunity to meet fellow process improvement professionals, learn about industry happenings and even connect on job opportunities. Plus it is just a lot of fun." -- Michael, The Natural Intelligence Group

"I can’t wait for the next event. When will it be? Not soon enough!"

"Thank you so much for arranging such a fun and meaningful event. I cannot wait for the next opportunity."

"I really enjoyed the party last night. How often do you have them in Seattle? Thanks!"

"Nicely done and thanks for getting us all together."

I can’t wait for the next Social & Networking Party! Thanks to everyone in the local area who came out, and thanks to all our wonderful sponsors for taking part in this fantastic event.

View the full photo gallery here: http://photos.isixsigma.com/gallery/4829650_qzHYF

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 update.

(By the way, we topped out at more than 1,000 registrants for our first-ever webcast! Everyone that registered -- thanks for making the premiere iSixSigma webcast a blockbuster.)

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:

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 very interesting market trends, insights and facts. It will be one of the best hours you'll spend this week.

See you online!

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 the world, at all levels within a Six Sigma organization.

If you’re thinking about Six Sigma as a career, already doing Six Sigma as a belt, running Six Sigma and developing or managing a team -- this will definitely be an event you WON’T want to miss.

Sign up for the webcast here.

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. This is because we have just been acquired by Schofield Media Group, a leading international business-to-business media company (http://www.ctqmedia.com/news_080131a.asp).

Not only do I want to tell you the news, I also want to thank you for your support during the past seven years. We have grown from a small, single website into a multifaceted business, with the world's leading online Six Sigma site and print magazine, the leading innovation website, a research division, a jobs board and recruiting service, and other enterprises.

Also, I want to assure you that the important things are not changing: our commitment to our readers, customers and advertisers remains absolute. While I am no longer the owner, I am still intimately involved in the company's operations going forward. Even more importantly, the same great team that has been operating all components of the businesses is still on the job. That means we have the same staff, contractors and contributors. Plus, our commitment to continually improving our products and services is stronger than ever.

What has changed is that we now have more resources and support for carrying out our current work, as well as exploring new ventures to expand and help those in our communities improve their business execution.

I will provide more details as we move into this new and exciting phase of our growth. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any ideas, concerns or comments.

Sincerely,

If you haven’t secured your own 2008 Cox-Box Wall Calendar, it may be too late. Get them now at https://store.isixsigma.com/calendar/

Yes, the Six Sigma community has its own cartoon strip. We even have our share of corporate M&A excitment 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 Billy Bob and Willy.