Need a Creative Way to Introduce our Quality Policy

[Kales Veggie]

Do you have an exciting policy?

(It is something "meet all customer requirements on time and without defects", no one will get excited).

For example, better would be:

"We are building our future".

Top management can start living this policy. Set the example. Everyone can remember this. Management can cook hot dogs for all shift during lunch break. Communicate, communicate.

 

[qualitygoddess - 2010]

We are already having cards and posters printed. Since the employees here are just learning about ISO and what it is, I'm wanting to roll out the initial introduction of the quality policy with so much excitement that everyone takes to it immediately.

I would have a number of small meetings with 12-20 people in the room. Share the vision of ISO certification and what it will do for the company. Visions are always exciting, especially if you can talk about stuff like new customers, new markets, and business growth. Ask them how they can get involved. You may get a few responses. Then introduce the policy. Laminated cards are always good. Tell them that one of management's jobs is to create this policy and so you did. It was created with them in mind. You know how focused they are on making great products for customers. (I am assuming they have this focus). How is what they do reflected in the words of that quality policy? How do they make certain the customers are satisfied? You get the general idea.

You now get to introduce the policy and immediately get them to tell you how the work they do affects that policy. Keep training records of that meeting, and you have now also fulfilled requirements in 6.2.2, 5.5.3 and 5.5.2 (c). What a deal!

 

[David Hartman]

I would have a number of small meetings with 12-20 people in the room. Share the vision of ISO certification and what it will do for the company. Visions are always exciting, especially if you can talk about stuff like new customers, new markets, and business growth. Ask them how they can get involved. You may get a few responses. Then introduce the policy. Laminated cards are always good. Tell them that one of management's jobs is to create this policy and so you did. It was created with them in mind. You know how focused they are on making great products for customers. (I am assuming they have this focus). How is what they do reflected in the words of that quality policy? How do they make certain the customers are satisfied? You get the general idea.

You now get to introduce the policy and immediately get them to tell you how the work they do affects that policy. Keep training records of that meeting, and you have now also fulfilled requirements in 6.2.2, 5.5.3 and 5.5.2 (c). What a deal!

Actually I like this idea very much. My only revision would be to have your company's most senior manager (President, CEO, Plant Manager, etc.) make this presentation. This will add the support that the employees will need to see in order to accept this as something other than the flavor of the day.

 

[cndwillis]

Excellent idea! Thanks!

 

[True Position]

edit: Was not helpful.

 

[David Hartman]

I prefer just broadcasting it on repeat over the PA. You can mix it in with motivational statements recommending people to work harder.

After a few weeks of the most pleasant voice you can find repeating (in this case, an old quality policy of a place I worked) 'The Quality Policy states: 'We seek to delivery 100% quality product to our customers on time and at the right price' I can't see how you won't see a change come over people. The followup of 'Work harder, China isn't that far away' will drive home that positive motivation you are looking for.

From your response I come away thinking that all of this really flies in the face of Deming's 10th point.

 

[bobdoering]

Actually I like this idea very much. My only revision would be to have your company's most senior manager (President, CEO, Plant Manager, etc.) make this presentation. This will add the support that the employees will need to see in order to accept this as something other than the flavor of the day.

I absolutely agree with this! The creative part is making sure the senior manager can convince the audience that it is real. To often, they ignore the quality manager, since they have very little influence over their raise or paycheck. It is the production and upper management that need to tell their people that it is real. They should be well enough trained in it to be able to readily present the material. If not, the company isn't ready to embrace it yet. It is not that the quality people can't present it or won't - it is that they won't get the best impact for the effort. Besides, let them say it and see how easy it is for them to slough it off later as quality blather.

If you get too pop or corny with it, it will dilute its importance. In fact, it may become a butt of jokes - not the desired endpoint. Be careful there!

 

[howste]

Turn it from just words into action starting at the top?

Good point. Here are a few thoughts on some details (not all-inclusive):

1) Leadership makes sure that the policy correlates with quality objectives (5.3 & 5.4.1).

2) Leadership makes sure that the objectives are supported by measurements (and goals) for the QMS processes (8.2.3). These are posted in or near the work areas.

3) Leadership lets the people in each process know how their process will be measured, and lets them know how they have an impact on success of the company by improving the measurement results to achieve their goals (8.2.3), thus achieving the objectives (6.2.2d), and the items mentioned in the policy.

4) Company and process leaders report the results of the process measurements to employees regularly (5.5.3), showing trends (8.4c) over time. When goals are achieved, employees are recognized and celebrate. When goals are not achieved, employees are asked for help to identify causes and implement corrective actions (8.2.3). Charts/trends are posted in or near the work areas for constant encouragement (along with the policy and objectives to reinforce linkages).

 

[David Hartman]

Good point. Here are a few thoughts on some details (not all-inlcusive):

1) Leadership makes sure that the policy correlates with quality objectives (5.3 & 5.4.1).

2) Leadership makes sure that the objectives are supported by measurements (and goals) for the QMS processes (8.2.3). These are posted in or near the work areas.

3) Leadership lets the people in each process know how their process will be measured, and lets them know how they have an impact on success of the company by improving the measurement results to achieve their goals (8.2.3), thus achieving the objectives (6.2.2d), and the items mentioned in the policy.

4) Company and process leaders report the results of the process measurements to employees regularly (5.5.3), showing trends (8.4c) over time. When goals are achieved, employees are recognized and celebrate. When goals are not achieved, employees are asked for help to identify causes and implement corrective actions (8.2.3). Charts/trends are posted in or near the work areas for constant encouragement (along with the policy and objectives to reinforce linkages).

The next step is to then convince the company leaders that this works as a complete business process for all departments and areas within the company, not just something for "quality", but of course that gets beyond the perceived scope of the standard.

 

[Migre]

Can you have a good catchy music composed and turn your policy into a small song and play it at all occasions as well as sing in chorus as a part of a your morning gathering .. ?
is it ..?

Now there is your answer. What an idea. Why not get a karaoke backing track of The Beatle's 'Let It Be', pump it over the tannoy system and replace the original lyrics with the following:

"When I find myself in times of trouble,
Top Management words will come to me.
Speaking words of wisdom,
Quality.

And in my hour of darkness,
There is still a laminate that shines for me.
Shine on 'til tomorrow,
Policy.

Quality, policy,
Quality, oh policy.
Speaking words of wisdom
Policy."





(And just in case anyone is thinking I'm a genuine fruit-loop, I'm not actually being serious here...)