Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the gd-system-plugin domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114

Warning: "continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break". Did you mean to use "continue 2"? in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/common.php on line 1276

Warning: "continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break". Did you mean to use "continue 2"? in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/common.php on line 1313

Warning: "continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break". Did you mean to use "continue 2"? in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/common.php on line 1317

Warning: "continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break". Did you mean to use "continue 2"? in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/common.php on line 1345

Warning: "continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break". Did you mean to use "continue 2"? in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/common.php on line 3536

Warning: "continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break". Did you mean to use "continue 2"? in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/common.php on line 3543

Warning: "continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break". Did you mean to use "continue 2"? in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/common.php on line 3556

Deprecated: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is deprecated in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/common.php on line 4072

Deprecated: Unparenthesized `a ? b : c ? d : e` is deprecated. Use either `(a ? b : c) ? d : e` or `a ? b : (c ? d : e)` in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/avada-functions.php on line 490
Author: Subir Chowdhury - Subir Chowdhury - thought leader, management consultant, author - The Ice Cream Maker, The Power of LEO, The Power of Design For Six Sigma Author: Subir Chowdhury - Subir Chowdhury - thought leader, management consultant, author - The Ice Cream Maker, The Power of LEO, The Power of Design For Six Sigma

What does Quality mean to You?

Quality & You

Quality must affect every conversation and interaction that we have with peers, subordinates, and leaders; every interaction that we have with co-workers, friends and family. That is why Quality is Everyone’s Business.

BACK TO TOPICS PAGE

.fusion-widget-area-1 .widget h4 {color:#333333;}.fusion-widget-area-1 .widget .heading h4 {color:#333333;}.fusion-widget-area-1 .widget h4 {font-size:24px;}.fusion-widget-area-1 .widget .heading h4 {font-size:24px;}

Books by Subir

The Power of LEO
The Ice Cream Maker
The Power of Design for Six
The Power of Six Sigma
Organization 21c

Books read by Subir

When I ask people, “what does Quality mean to you?” I hear a wide range of answers. For some people, their answer is, “Quality means putting out the best product or service possible.”  Others may say, “Honesty and trust.” Many will tell you, “Quality means doing the right thing at the right time.” Still others will say, “Quality is a resistance to compromise.” However, more often than not, I still hear “ I have no idea, that’s why we have a quality department,” or “Hey let me ask my Vice President of Quality,” or even worse yet, “I’m not sure what quality means to me.”

I would like to see a day when we don’t hesitate about our response toward Quality.

Ideally, I would like to see a day when we don’t hesitate about our response toward Quality; when everyone has a fearless reaction to Quality just like they do with everyday events.  Bottom line, everyone, needs make Quality a priority, and a part of everything they do.  When we all understand the impact of our actions, how even the smallest action may pay enormous dividends, then that leads to the path of true quality: preventing human error; possessing the kind of oversight and engrained thought that corrects misjudgments before they have a chance to trigger problems.

What a world this could be if we all were that much more attentive; that much more in tune, and truly understood and believed the dramatic impact that Quality can have on all of us!

.fusion-widget-area-2 .widget h4 {color:#333333;}.fusion-widget-area-2 .widget .heading h4 {color:#333333;}.fusion-widget-area-2 .widget h4 {font-size:24px;}.fusion-widget-area-2 .widget .heading h4 {font-size:24px;}

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 53

Notice: Trying to get property 'ID' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 53

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 54

Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 54

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 55

Notice: Trying to get property 'ID' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 55

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

When is the last time you said. “I don’t know”?

Being straightforward means you know when to speak up even if you don’t have the answer. When I admit I don’t know something, it doesn’t mean I can’t learn or solve a problem.  In fact, I generally work harder when I don’t know something than when I do.

Recognizing Quality Innovation

In 2010, the Society of Automotive Engineers along with the Subir and Malini Chowdhury Foundation, established The Subir Chowdhury Medal of Quality Leadership. This award is designed to honor those in the mobility industry who demonstrate ability and talent to further innovation and broaden the impact of "quality" in mobility engineering, design and manufacture.

Where has your talent gone?

The Challenger space shuttle disintegrated in mid-air, killing all seven astronauts. It was later found that a $900 O-ring was to blame. Years later, the Space Shuttle Columbia was torn apart during re-entry. This time, it was “unexpected consequences” of large chunks of ice that hit delicate wing parts during launch.

Combating Fires

No matter where they occur, a fire can be a devastating event. When they happen around where we live, we rush to the location with manpower and equipment to extinguish the flames.




Walking and Talking Quality

Quality & Process

When ‘quality’ ceases to be just lip service from one employee to another – it becomes a process for continuous improvement toward perfection.

BACK TO TOPICS PAGE

.fusion-widget-area-3 .widget h4 {color:#333333;}.fusion-widget-area-3 .widget .heading h4 {color:#333333;}.fusion-widget-area-3 .widget h4 {font-size:24px;}.fusion-widget-area-3 .widget .heading h4 {font-size:24px;}

Books by Subir

The Power of LEO
The Ice Cream Maker
The Power of Design for Six
The Power of Six Sigma
Organization 21c

Books read by Subir

I used to open our management meetings with a simple question: “Which makes more sense: invest time and energy to avoid problems or to solve them as they occur?”

It’s not intended to be a trick question, but I’m surprised by how it causes so many executives and managers to squirm uncomfortably as they try to figure out how they should answer. Of course, we want to do all that we can to avoid problems. Who wants to be a fireman? Who wants to spend their day jumping from one crisis to another with barely enough time to do productive work? But I can easily understand their discomfort: that’s exactly what their day-to-day is like. In effect, they can’t avoid problems – they only solve them.

A shocking number of organizations make the mistake of believing they have achieved excellence when – in reality – their operations rely heavily on heroic efforts for day-to-day rescues. Eventually a situation will arise where even heroic efforts will fail.

Which is a great opportunity to bring up another kind of hero: people who really “get it” when it comes to the quality mindset. These are the truly excellent people who appreciate day-to-day quality in everything that they do. They are honest about their work, they possess an ethical attitude about what must be done, they meet challenges with steady resistance to compromise on quality, and are ready at a moment’s notice to spring into action.

When leaders walk the talk of Quality… the organization moves as a cohesive social group that is better equipped to solve immediate problems as well as long term ones. They may even prevent “unforeseen” problems from ever cropping up.

The people who fit this description are like the hotel manager who drove two hours in her own car, on her own time, to return a credit card to a Japanese guest boarding a flight to Europe. There was also the hydraulics engineer who volunteered to parachute into a wilderness area to fix one his company’s new water pumps. I recall the shipping clerk who shouldered past jokes and ridicule from fellow employees as he carefully packaged every order as crisply and neatly as possible. Imagine what could be accomplished if everyone were like this?

These are the heroes of quality. They are not ‘firemen’ who rush to extinguish fires. They are the fearless fire preventers who jump into the arena to answer the call to stop the fires from starting in the first place. They shake off the intimidation of circumstances and situations, roll up their sleeves, and get to work. Often, their efforts draw scant praise, if they are noticed at all. Nevertheless, we need these “heroes” in all aspects of our organization to help us drive operational excellence. But even heroes need inspiration.

Many problems with quality can be addressed by implementing a robust quality management program, but that’s not enough. To change organizational processes and drive substantial and sustainable increase in quality, you must also tap into people power.

Organizations that have successfully ignited people power share one important characteristic. They have leaders who walk the talk of quality – at every moment, every encounter, and every level of the organization.

When every executive, manager and supervisor walks the talk of quality, they can set off an acculturation process that will sweep through the entire organization. This is how you seed a culture of quality; this is how you inspire heroes of quality. By walking the talk, you encourage communication, interaction, and implementation, as defined in detail by the LEO methodology: Listen, Enrich, and Optimize.

LEO calls on us to make a sincere effort to improve communication with our customers, suppliers, co-workers and even competitors. When we really listen, enrich and optimize, we pull our noses out of the spreadsheets and reports, and begin asking questions like “why” and “how” so that we gain better clarity about what is going on NOW.

“Walking the talk of quality” means opening up to meaningful interaction so that every encounter enriches the organizational culture. We open up to lessons on how we can improve, where we may improve and when. When we open up, we encourage everyone to do the same, which in turn increases the likelihood that the rank and file will do more to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.

Equipped with better communication and interaction, we are prepared to implement a renewed awareness throughout the organization. Not only are we putting out fires, we are preventing them from happening. We are optimizing our relationships from both the inside and outside of the organization. When every member of the organization – from top to bottom – adopts LEO, THEY become the trigger-point for high-level communication skills are found among the best organizations.

When leaders of the organization walk the talk of Quality, they become the example for everybody to follow. The organization moves as a cohesive social group that is better equipped to solve immediate and long-term problems. They may even prevent many “unforeseen” problems from ever cropping up. When this level of communication is achieved, then it doesn’t matter how many problems you have or where they appear because now you will always have enough fire preventers who are ready to take action.

.fusion-widget-area-4 .widget h4 {color:#333333;}.fusion-widget-area-4 .widget .heading h4 {color:#333333;}.fusion-widget-area-4 .widget h4 {font-size:24px;}.fusion-widget-area-4 .widget .heading h4 {font-size:24px;}

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 53

Notice: Trying to get property 'ID' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 53

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 54

Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 54

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 55

Notice: Trying to get property 'ID' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 55

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Notice: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Avada-Child-Theme/inc/same-post-cats-widget.php on line 69

Transform Your Organization through Quality

I use word “quality” as a proper noun; quality with a capital “Q”; because the effect of quality should not be limited to a policy or a set of rules. When Quality becomes everyone’s business, we see the outline for a truly transformational experience that shakes the very foundation of our beliefs and behaviors.

Optimize for Perfection

An executive once emailed me a quote that reads: perfection is unknowable. I’m sure his source was Confucius or Zen teaching, but I also find this thought noted in Western cultures as well.

Fear freezes your ability to be straightforward

When we are scared, nervous, or afraid, we shut out the outside world.  We become less open and transparent. Instead of accepting our true selves, and admitting that we are afraid, we put up a wall designed to keep out the truth.  We make things up to compensate—about how good-looking we are, about how clever or competent we believe ourselves to be, about how much money we make. We lose sight of the importance of being straightforward and honest. Fear can undermine openness and honesty in anyone—including me!

Fire, Flow, Future

From the very beginning of my work, I kept a journal of challenges and crisis that were reported to me by my clients. I recorded problems, noted characteristics, and key patterns in each of them. My goal was to record how the different situations were related and how problems were eventually resolved.