May
16

Managing quality in long distance supply chains

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Michael L. Hetzel, Pro QC’s VP/Americas, partnered with GlobalAutoIndustry earlier today to share some insight and recommendations regarding managing quality in long distance supply chains.

The seminar, which was hosted by GlobalAutoIndustry.com, touched on a wide range of quality challenges unique to those engaged in international procurement.  Michael reviews the cost issues and various considerations for selecting capable and ethical suppliers.  In addition, he incorporates important quality tools necessary for assessing and verifying conformance.  He discusses the considerations for using local staff or 3rd party quality providers as a way to monitor and ensure continuous improvement.

After the seminar, one of the questions asked was what he would consider the number one challenge in international supply chain management.  Michael didn’t hesitate to cite cultural issues and followed up with the importance of “becoming an expert on the country, target area and culture.”

In his closing remarks, it’s clear that sourcing risk can’t be eliminated.  But, the goal is clear in that there are several ways in which you can reduce the risk as much as possible.   “The foundation of a good outcome is in the preparation.”  Michael also tells us to assume nothing and abandon all preconceptions.

The presentation materials can be downloaded here: Hetzel Slides – Managing Quality in Long Distance Supply Chains – GlobalAutoIndustry.com 5-16-12.

If you would like additional information, contact Michael directly at mlhetzel@proqc.com.

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May
10

Attending the World Conference on Quality & Improvement?

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Even if you’re not attending the quality event of the year, you can still join in the fun! We will be providing updates throughout the conference (May 21-23) via our social media outlets. ASQ’s Influential Voices, including myself, will be using #WCQI12 to live tweet throughout the event.

If you are attending, I would love the opportunity to personally say hello.  In addition to the keynotes and sessions, I will be attending the social media meetups on Monday @ 10am and Tuesday @ 2pm.  Also, I have registered for theSRO‘s Walk the Walk Toward Results on Tuesday evening at 5:30pm.

For more information, contact me directly at jenn@proqc.com.

Additional Event Info: World Conference on Quality & Improvement

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May
04

Your quality questions answered

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We’ve  answered many of our most commonly asked quality questions in our newsletter.  As a recap, here are the most popular:

What happens during a pre-shipment inspection?

What is a “drop test”?

How do you address the issue of a supplier that has the desired capabilities but is inconsistent in quality performance?

What is root cause analysis?

What is life cycle testing and how is it performed?

What is the difference between a continuity test and a hipot test?

Visit the Pro QC website to subscribe to the quarterly newsletter. And, let us know if there are any questions you would like to see us include!

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Apr
16

Top 3 – Key factory audit components

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Performing factory audits to assist in supplier selection or throughout the production cycle is a primary contributor to a reduction in both sourcing risks and cost.  While specific standards often apply, such as the ISO series, factory audits do have several key components in common.

1) Management 

Who is the management and what management style is generally supported within the corporate culture?  Through observation and interviews, an audit reveals attitudes and general values that serve as indicators of the overall organization’s realized performance.

“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned over the past couple of decades, from a management perspective, is that really when you come down to it, it really is all about people and all about leadership.” ~Steve Case

2) Metrics -

Show the data.  Suppliers should be able to back-up any claims with supporting data that can be reviewed and verified.  The specific metrics vary depending on a number of factors, but identifying those factors and making sure suppliers are following through with documentation and review is critical to any industry.

“90% of making the correct decision is gathering information.”

3) Corrective Action

No one is perfect.  But, the difference lies within how an organization handles nonconformaties, or any service affecting issues that may occur.  Having paperwork on-hand is an excellent start, but suppliers should demonstrate through training and observation that staff consistently follows through with procedures.  Also, how is the supplier tracking trends and making necessary process improvements?

“For every failure, there is an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.” ~Mary Kay Ash

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Apr
05

How do we “sell” quality?

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ASQ recently introduced a topic on their blog regarding “selling” quality.  Paul Borawski, ASQ’s CEO, does a good job considering the hurdles faced when discussing quality buy-in from key decision makers.

Jennifer Stepniowski, Pro QC’s Special Project Manager, responded as an ASQ Influential Voice and raises a few successful suggestions, including walking the walk, focusing on the benefits, being knowledgeable and adapting to your audience.

Michael L. Hetzel, Pro QC’s VP/Americas, also provided some insight into how he “sells” quality:

One would think that in 2012 everyone would understand that quality is an investment, with a measurable ROI, rather than an expense.  Unfortunately, this is not the case and there’s still tremendous inertia towards characterizing quality as an overhead expense.

In order to “sell” quality, we have to educate decision makers on the investment value of quality management activities and how to identify the return on the investment.  For decision makers who are not quality management professionals, it’s an educational process conveying a value proposition related to the results rather than a selling process describing the technical aspects of quality management activities.

Once they can identify the ROI, the decision makers become motivated by the self interest of their enterprise performance opportunities and “buy in to quality”.

What do you think? How do you “sell” quality?  Or, in other words, how do you inform and persuade others about the benefits of quality and the negative impact of failure to incorporate continuous improvement and quality initiatives from top-down?

As Paul suggests, “quality is important and an essential strategy for performance excellence, competitiveness, growth, sustainability, survival, efficiency, effectiveness.”  It’s important that we take every opportunity to educate others and assist them in the process of ensuring quality as a standard.

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