What is best about Quality - Keeps you in it?

J
#1
First was going to put this in the "Water Cooler" forum but then decided - Hey this should be a "benchmarking" discussion among Quality Professionals.

Outside of any monitary issues, or job security issues and such, what is it that you LOVE about being in Quality.

For me, the biggest thing I loved about it was the "honesty" and "integrety" of the profession. Few other areas promote such honesty to the extent that the quality profession does. Not that there weren't (and aren't) "stinkers" around, but it seems like, more and more, these types are identified pretty quickly and weeded out.
I remember a couple of times early in my QM career when it was intimated (rather boldly) to me that we should "fudge" data to a customer and I had to flatly refuse, exlaining that I simply could not do such a thing.

The other thing for me is how quality has grown to encompass and become an integral part of every company function. And even better, it has become less of a "watchdog/cop" function and more of a "value added" helper.

Of course I've been out of the daily grind for some time now, but those were the things I really loved about being in quality.

Anyone else wish to share?

Peace
James
 
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John Broomfield

Staff member
Super Moderator
#2
I like best its counter-intuitive nature. For example, manage quality and costs reduce.

This means that many opportunities exist to help individuals and organizations to experience it for themselves.

One day quality management will be obvious to everyone and I will have to find something else to do.

:rar:
 
L

lego55

#4
Along with what has already been said, it's the chance to make a process simpler and reduce waste.
 
J
#5
Along with what has already been said, it's the chance to make a process simpler and reduce waste.
For some reason this one reminded me of a story that is useful in training people to look at "old processes" (we've always done it that way)

When preparing for a huge family holiday gathering, a mother was teaching her daughter how to prepare a large ham. The first thing mom did was to cut two inches off the end before applying the spices and placing it in the ample roasting pan, placing the 2 inch end in beside the ham.
"Why did you do that?", asked the daughter.
"Well that is the way that My Mother always did it", was the response.
Later, when the family was gathered, the daughter, remembering what her mom said, asked, Granny, Why do you cut the end off the ham before cooking it?
Granny said, I don't really know - It's how my mom did it. So she turned to her mom who as also there and said, "Mother, what is the reason for cutting two inches off the ham before cooking?
The "Great Grandma" responded, by holding up her hands and saying. "Well my roasting pan was only so big....":D

Which i guess brings up another great thing about quality. There are so many good stories we learn and can use to teach others of the benefits.

Peace
James
 
D

DrM2u

#6
Since 'QUALITY' is defined by the customer it becomes a moving target from customer to customer, from product to product. As a result there is never a dull moment in the quality field, especially in the up-front work that should be done. I get bored easy with repetitive tasks, so quality is right down my isle ... Plus I get to use all these advanced technology inspection gismos. :lol:
 
L

lego55

#7
When preparing for a huge family holiday gathering, a mother was teaching her daughter how to prepare a large ham. The first thing mom did was to cut two inches off the end before applying the spices and placing it in the ample roasting pan, placing the 2 inch end in beside the ham.
"Why did you do that?", asked the daughter.
"Well that is the way that My Mother always did it", was the response.
Later, when the family was gathered, the daughter, remembering what her mom said, asked, Granny, Why do you cut the end off the ham before cooking it?
Granny said, I don't really know - It's how my mom did it. So she turned to her mom who as also there and said, "Mother, what is the reason for cutting two inches off the ham before cooking?
The "Great Grandma" responded, by holding up her hands and saying. "Well my roasting pan was only so big....":D
James,

I use that story all of the time; it really gets their attention. Thanks for sharing it! :)
 
M

Migre

#8
Well it certainly isn't for the friendly, arms-wide-open response from every section of the organisation!

For me, it's 2 things really:

1) I've always been a firm believer in the adage 'if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well'. I guess this was always going to be the career path I'd fall into.

2) The opportunity to see just about every section / department / function within the organisation. I wouldn't call myself nosy but I am inquisitive and have a thirst for knowledge. Not being confined to one specific section gives me a great deal of job satisfaction.
 
#9
A few (of many) reasons:

  • I am a very curious person, and it provides me with an unparalleled overall view of how the company functions.
  • I genuinely like the interaction with all those people I meet (well maybe not all, but nigh on).
  • I see the need for improvement everywhere.
  • I like to work with improvement, which allows/forces me to think outside the box (there is the curiosity again).
  • It challenges me in a good way.
  • I believe I am good enough at it to be able to make a difference.
/Claes
 

Jen Kirley

Quality and Auditing Expert
Staff member
Admin
#10
I tried changing careers a couple of times. I found I would not be able to fit in for long. My brain has become wired to try to improve things and I was unsuited for positions where that wasn't expected of me. Questions such as "Why are we doing it this way? It doesn't make sense - it's not effective" were not welcomed. So I clicked my red shoes together like Dorothy in Oz, and returned to Quality.
 
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