Variation and defects. They are the bane of all manufacturing companies. They signal an absence of efficiency, a neglect of productivity, and a total disregard for cost effectiveness. Who is seen as the rescuing knight in shining armor? Sir Six Sigma!

Academics and corporate innovators both spend their workdays pursuing breakthroughs that may never materialize. Venturing into unknown territory carries fairly high potential rewards, but also a fairly high risk of failure.