PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK…Lean? Six Sigma? Lean Six Sigma? Lean and Six Sigma have both become increasingly popular as continuous improvement initiatives over the past several years and many organizations are struggling with a dilemma that these two approaches have spawned: whether to go down the Lean path, the Six Sigma path or merge the approaches into a single effort called Lean Six Sigma.

With Productivity Press' new book, Using Lean for Faster Six Sigma Results - - A Synchronized Approach, authors Mark A. Nash, Sheila R. Poling and Sophronia Ward detail a no-nonsense strategy for maintaining the best of both initiatives without diluting either. Lean focuses on the elimination of waste; Six Sigma addresses variability and reliability. This book presents the distinct differences and complementary functions as seen through the eyes of a Lean Practitioner and Master Trainer who is also a Six Sigma Black Belt, partnered with died-in-the-wool Six Sigma and Statistical Process Control experts. Their combined insight and ability to blend concepts while choosing the appropriate tool for each project validates an orchestrated approach where Lean and Six Sigma co-exist within a single organization.

This practical, down-to-earth book explains:

• The differences between Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, and their distinct benefits and limitations.
• Why and how to use them together in a synchronized way to achieve faster Six Sigma and more powerful Lean results.
• How to select the right projects and then apply the best approach, people and toolset to maximize results.
• Detailed case studies from both manufacturing and service organizations.

Using Lean for Faster Six Sigma Results shows that organizations that initiate Lean Enterprise early in their continuous improvement efforts create culture change, immediate results and streamlined processes paving the way for faster and more cost effective Six Sigma results when more complex problems and issues are the focus of projects.

Primarily written for individual use at all management levels -- plant managers, engineers, Master Black Belts, Black Belts, Lean Champions -- this book will greatly benefit anyone in an organization looking at using Lean and/or Six Sigma in industries as varied as discrete and process manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, telecommunications, food processing and government. It will be especially beneficial to those companies that have already implemented Lean and are now seeking to embrace Six Sigma.

About the Authors
With more than 23 years of process improvement experience in manufacturing, distribution and healthcare, Mark A. Nash is currently a Managing Director of Argent Global Consulting Services with past and present clients including Philips Consumer Electronics Co., Abbott Laboratories, Iomega Corporation, the Fleming Companies and the Oklahoma Military Department. Nash also has considerable experience with financial and management analysis, having spent ten years working for the State of Oklahoma as a legislative auditor, as fiscal analyst and as Director of Finance. A multi-skilled Six Sigma Black Belt, he is also a certified NIST/MEP master trainer, has facilitated more than 350 Lean classes and personally facilitated kaizen events for more than 50 organizations worldwide.

Sheila R. Poling is Managing Partner of Pinnacle Partners, Inc. With more than 20 years' experience in the quality and productivity industry, Poling previously served as V.P. of two nationally recognized consulting/training firms and a book publishing firm. A prolific writer, she has co-authored several books, including the internationally recognized, Customer Focused Quality (1993) and Building Continual Improvement(2001), as well as several work manuals, and also served as an editor for Quality magazine. Poling has also had the privilege to study and work closely with many distinguished leaders, including Dr. W. Edwards Deming.

Dr. Sophronia Ward is a Managing Partner of Pinnacle Partners, Inc. and a statistician and continual improvement expert specializing in Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma and Statistical Process Control training, consulting and coaching. Specializing in Black Belt, Green Belt and Master Black Belt Training and Certification, Ward is currently sharing her expertise with numerous companies in her capacity as Senior Master Black Belt.

About Productivity Press:

Productivity Press is the premier source of authoritative information on organizational improvement, offering the broadest selection of books and learning tools about lean methodologies, based on the Toyota Production System. Whether you are responsible for production, office and administrative operations or providing services, our publications offer you proven, practical strategies for increasing efficiency and capacity while eliminating waste. We are the leading source of materials for educating and training your workforce in lean.

List price is $40.00. Complimentary review copies are available to media contacts by calling (212) 216-7865 or by e-mailing: leon.carter@taylorandfrancis.com.

For more information on Using Lean for Faster Six Sigma Results or any of Productivity Press' other titles, call 1 (888) 319-5852 or access our online catalog at www.productivitypress.com.

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ADVANCE PRAISE FOR

"Patient safety is a primary goal in healthcare and as a laboratory director, I am always looking for ways to improve service, improve quality and ultimately improve patient safety. Using Lean for Faster Six Sigma Results - - A Synchronized Approach is an excellent resource for blending the best of both quality approaches to reach the goal of improved patient safety. Our goal truly is perfection and this resource provides a useful guideline for both Lean and Six Sigma to ensure the most effective impact on the operation."

--Sharon L. Harris, MS, MT (ASCP) SBB
Laboratory Director, GERI Certified Lean Facilitator & Manager
Harris Methodist HEB Hospital

"Using Lean for Faster Six Sigma Results - - A Synchronized Approach is the most practical book available today to strategically implement proven techniques to affect the bottom line. This book fills a major void that exists between the Six Sigma and Lean camps. I have seen firsthand this approach used to improve quality, lower cost, and increase productivity. Those who are interested in getting past all the theory and want to get on to making money must read this no-nonsense book."

--Skip Steward
Plant Operations Manager
Emerson

"Using Lean for Faster Six Sigma Results is an invaluable benchmark for all aspiring to implement Lean process speed and Six Sigma process quality to improve services. Simply yet authoritatively written, it presents a comprehensive overview of these powerful tools perfectly coupled with practical experience & assessments. An absolute 'must read' for those embarking on the Lean Six Sigma journey and an excellent resource guide for those who already have."

--Mick Chomyn
General Manager & Lean Project Coordinator
Path Links Pathology Services, UK

"Using Lean for Faster Six Sigma Results is a must read for Black Belts, Master Black Belts and Lean practitioners. This is a book that explains in practical terms how to optimize organizational efforts in improvement of processes using both Lean and Six Sigma. Thanks for the easy read on a complex topic."

--Tripp Babbitt
President, BHI

"Combining a wealth of practical experience and technical knowledge with Six Sigma and Lean, this book is a must read for every leader committed to continual improvement and real growth in company value. The cultural side of implementation has not been forgotten, and the tips for creating a continual improvement mentality as a foundation for success are invaluable."

--George Lee Sye
Author, Speaker and Professional Coach

"Integrating, rather than blending these two powerful methodologies, thus drawing on their complementary power, Using Lean for Faster Six Sigma Results provides companies with that often elusive combination of flexibility and rigor in developing an effective approach to sustainable process improvement."

--Aled Roberts
Almahurst Business Solutions
Melbourne, Australia