(University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI) -- When giving presents this holiday season, remember one thing—less is more, according to an article forthcoming in the Journal of Consumer Research.

I was less than two minutes into my sales presentation when the business owner sitting behind his desk gruffly said, “Get out of here.” I figured someone must have walked into his office, and he didn’t want us to be interrupted.

As a frequent columnist for Quality Digest Daily and several other publications, I have learned that there are certain topics that are out of bounds.

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the shop
Santa’s quality manager feared that all production would stop
The FMEA showed high risk, nonconformances were a fright

Lean Six Sigma has proven itself as an effective strategy for business success in both private and public sectors. The methodology has helped enterprise leaders recognize business processes as engines that drive performance excellence and help to deliver value.

A traveler attempting to book a ticket by phone became frustrated after choosing from a menu of endless options, then waiting on hold for 20 minutes before eventually being transferred twice—the second time to a dial tone.

The holiday season is like a magnifying glass that enlarges both the best and the worst in us. This time of year induces joy, caring, and generosity, but it can also magnify stress, anxiety, and heighten conflict at home and in the office.

(CMSC: Benbrook, TX) -- The Coordinate Metrology Society (CMS), the membership association for measurement professionals, has announced a call for papers for the 2012 Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference (CMSC).

(Nikon Metrology: Brighton, MI) -- Focus 10, Nikon Metrology’s point-cloud software that streamlines the digital inspection process, offers a completely new user interface and now provides support for handheld laser scanning and tactile probing.

(CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL) -- Risk Monetization: Converting Threats and Opportunities into Impact on Project Value, by Glenn R.