Khalid Al Sadoun Consulting and Training Company organized a seminar on Six Sigma, described as the Kingdom’s first, at Jeddah Hilton last week. The seminar was aimed to give an idea to companies how they could save money through the implementation of the Six Sigma training program. In their presentations, company executives — Brian Jarvis, director quality and training, Bruce Venter, instructor and analyst, and Sheikh Abdul Majeed, sales and marketing manager, outlined the program and explained how various organizations have saved money and also improved quality, retained customers and improved customer base, and cut overhead costs and increased market share, with some of them emerging as market leaders. “The Six Sigma program look at any process, which can be tracked and measured,” said Abdul Majeed. The process involves the production of every component that constitutes a product. Six Sigma helps to achieve high quality and defect-free customer defined targets, reduce cost and capture profitable markets, Jarvis said. It focuses on new style of leadership that encourages decision-making through easy-to-use statistical tools and a structured method thus ensuring consistent quality. Six Sigma executives, known as champions, drive the initiative throughout the organization. The executives are primarily involved in setting the strategic direction, providing resources, monitoring the overall company improvements and celebrating successes. The Six Sigma Executive course provides new knowledge, tools and skills to lead the organization to high levels of performance. Six Sigma training includes a four-hour introductory seminar and a daylong executive training program focusing on the champion’s role, manager’s involvement and strategic requirement. In addition, there are green belt, black belt and master black belt training programs.
Universitas 21 Global
Universitas 21 Global, a worldwide online business school, has further expanded its international network with the opening of a regional office in Knowledge Village, Dubai. The new office will operate as a pan-Arab education and counseling center for the university in the Arab region. This will enable them to assist students who are considering enrolling in the existing MBA program or other postgraduate courses currently being developed. “Opening a regional office in what is regarded as the Middle East learning hub is a natural extension of Universitas 21 Global’s online offering,” Dr. Mukesh Aghi, CEO, Universitas 21 Global, said. “All the advantages of learning online still apply, but now we’re able to provide on the ground expertise and support from our own representatives, as and when required.” Universitas 21 Global was introduced in the Middle East last year and is described as the first business school offering an online MBA program. A joint venture between Universitas 21 and Thomson Learning, a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers, Universitas 21 Global is a consortium of 16 world-renowned universities. In 2002, five of Universitas 21 Global 21’s member universities were ranked among the top 20 MBA schools by Asia Inc.
SPS
Samir Photographic Supplies (SPS), which participated in the recently held COMDEX in Jeddah as a cosponsor, has launched a new range of Encad printers. It aims to make any business more profitable by introducing latest technology in speed, image quality and intelligent software solutions. “This breakthrough technology allows our business partners to take their business to the next level with the revolutionary wide range of Encad Inkjet printers available in the Kingdom,” said Saher Al- Hindi, marketing director at SPS. It ensures “high productivity and best cost efficiency” for medium to large businesses. The high-speed printers use advanced print head design and intelligent mask technology for maximum productivity, reliability and image quality. Equipped with a state of the art ink system, its technology ensures the printers deliver an average of 2.1 liters of ink to offer a true unattended printing, easy cartridge replacement and many other advanced options. From indoor to outdoor, banners to backlists, pop signs to floor and vehicle panels, SPS offers even more media choices to enjoy bright, durable colors that will make Encad Kodak the number one choice when it comes to wide-format media printing, he said. With a range of products, the SPS stand at COMDEX was designed to serve the distinct needs of its visitors, allow decision makers to witness the IT trends that will drive the next wave of the market innovation.
Nokia
Nokia has unveiled its latest mobile handset for active-minded users. The Nokia 5140 phone is highlighted by a digital compass, integrated camera and fitness coach application. It offers athletes, outdoor adventurers and fitness enthusiasts a means of staying connected. Additionally, the new phone complements an active lifestyle with a range of sport and fitness features and products such as the Nokia Fitness Monitor, which has also been launched. The new triband phone, Nokia’s first GSM push to talk handset, is planned to be available in all major markets during the second quarter of 2004. The new phone features a built-in flashlight to help guide the way. Also introduced is the Nokia Xpress-on GPS shell that offers GPS functions like trip computer, route guidance, tracking and saving of waypoints integrated into the phone shell. Sold separately, the Nokia Xpress-on GPS shell includes a map-based travel guide application for route guidance, points of interest and downloadable maps. With the push of a button, trekkers can connect with friends on teammates by using the push to talk feature for quick voice communications. Similar to a “walkie-talkie,” push to talk can be used over the GSM network to quickly connect the phone user to one person, or to a group of people, simply by using the convenient side-mounted key.
