AlisQI’s Post

'In the last 15 years, I sense that a lot of quality professionals feel like there has been a change and that they've been sidelined and relegated to more of a role of a gatekeeper, forced to prevent a bad product from leaving the shop, but without the mandate to actually influence and control their destiny. What's causing that shift?' This blog post looks for an answer to this question and summarizes our most recent webinar in partnership with Quality Magazine https://lnkd.in/e6WyZj7s

'In the last 15 years, I sense that a lot of quality professionals feel like there has been a change and that they've been sidelined and relegated to more of a role of a gatekeeper, forced to prevent a bad product from leaving the shop, but without the mandate to actually influence and control their destiny. What's causing that shift?' This blog post looks for an answer to this question and summarizes our most recent webinar in partnership with Quality Magazine https://lnkd.in/eNZQuDzU

The Most Scary Things in Quality **Not the biggest Halloween fan, I’ll admit :) but since it's a holiday here in Germany (for a different reason), I'm definitely in celebration mode nonetheless! So in the Theme of the Day, I was thinking... What are the realistic challenges that truly jeopardize the essence of Quality Management? And I came up with the top three scariest things that, in my personal opinion (!), lead to all other possible issues and problems you can think of and cause the biggest battles for Quality Professionals: - The Gloomy Swamp of Compliance Imagine a grey, motionless swamp, with thick, murky waters occasionally releasing bubbles of stinky air from the depths... This is your Quality Management System when Quality is reduced to a "tick-the-box" function, and compliance becomes an end in itself. On the surface, everything might look calm, creating a false sense of security, as if quality is under control. But beneath, there are hidden non-conformances, brewing customer dissatisfaction and the potential for catastrophic issues waiting to ensnare you. Once trapped, this swamp of stagnant compliance is almost impossible to escape, pulling you deeper. - Invisible Risks Lurking in the Silos When Departments and Functions are not aligned, operating on their own, and no information is exchanged, invisible risks and blind spots creep through the organization, undetected and unaddressed. The scariest part? By the time they are uncovered — whether in product quality, safety or compliance — these issues already damaged your customers' experience, compliance audits or even the company's reputation. It’s a true horror story for Quality, where Risks of Silos haunt the organization long after they’re discovered. - Executives Ghosting Quality One of the most blood-chilling issue for Quality Professionals is when top management and leadership ignore Quality initiatives, providing little to not-at-all support, input or even minimum acknowledgement. This affects... literally everything: from basic compliance, improvement opportunities, performance, and the most scariest - motivation and morale of the very Quality Team. So, what’s the scariest thing you’ve faced in quality management? Let me know your horror stories below! 👻 🎃 #QualityTrickOrTreat #Quality #QualityManager

🌍 Celebrating World Quality Week 2024: From Compliance to Performance! 🎉 This week, November 11–15, we spotlight quality with the theme, "From Compliance to Performance." But what does that mean? 🤔 It’s a shift in focus, where organizations don’t just tick boxes for compliance but actively leverage quality standards, like ISO 9001:2015, to drive performance and excellence. From Compliance to Performance – Key Aspects of the Shift Customer-Centric Approach 📈 Compliance traditionally focuses on following guidelines and meeting regulatory standards. But today, organizations aim to exceed customer expectations. For instance, under ISO 9001:2015, companies are encouraged to build processes prioritising customer needs, aiming for continuous satisfaction and retention. This could mean quicker service delivery, consistent product quality, and ongoing customer feedback loops. Data-Driven Decision Making 📊 Moving from compliance to performance means relying on data, not just mandates. ISO 9001:2015 advocates using data to make better decisions, reduce waste, and improve processes. Imagine a factory tracking its error rates weekly instead of annually—by addressing issues in real-time, the factory sees fewer defects and higher-quality output. Continuous Improvement Mindset 🔄 Compliance can be a once-a-year checklist, but performance is ongoing. ISO 9001:2015 encourages organizations to adopt continuous improvement. This might look like regular team training sessions or monthly performance reviews to identify areas for growth. This proactive approach leads to greater efficiency, reduced costs, and happier employees. Employee Empowerment 🙌 Rather than just meeting the minimum, organizations focused on performance give employees the training and tools to take ownership of quality at every level. Empowered employees can make real-time decisions that improve product quality and customer satisfaction, fostering a culture of pride in their work. Benefits of Compliance with ISO 9001:2015 Organizations that embrace this standard don't just avoid penalties – they unlock a roadmap to increased profitability and growth. Compliance means efficient processes, reduced errors, better customer satisfaction, and a reputation for excellence. Plus, ISO 9001-certified businesses are often more competitive in the market, as clients and partners trust their commitment to quality and reliability. This World Quality Week, let’s not just “follow the rules”; let’s use them as a springboard to achieve excellence. 🚀 #WorldQualityWeek2024 #QualityMatters #slyvic2021 #FromComplianceToPerformance #ISO9001 #victoriaasuenimen #ContinuousImprovement #QualityCulture #Continousimprovement #iso9001

#QualityMonth : 20th Nov 2024 Embracing Philip B. Crosby's " #ZeroDefects" Philosophy in #QualityManagement In the world of quality management, Philip B. Crosby is a name that stands out. His groundbreaking principle of " #ZeroDefects " has transformed the way organizations think about quality. But what does "Zero Defects" really mean, and how can it benefit your business? Crosby's philosophy is simple yet profound: "Quality is #conformance to requirements, and doing things right the first time." It's not about perfection but about creating a mindset that defects are not acceptable. Here are the core ideas behind it: #Prevention Over #Inspection : Quality should be built into processes from the start. Instead of relying on inspections to catch errors, focus on preventing them altogether. No Tolerance for #Defects : Accepting small defects can lead to larger issues down the line. "Zero Defects" aims to eliminate this mentality by striving for complete adherence to quality standards. #Cost of #Quality : Crosby famously said, "Quality is free." The cost of preventing defects is always lower than the cost of correcting them after they occur. Commitment to #Excellence : Achieving "Zero Defects" requires a culture where every employee feels responsible for delivering quality. It’s a team effort that starts with leadership setting the tone. Why is this relevant today? In a competitive business environment, even small defects can damage customer trust and brand reputation. Adopting a "Zero Defects" approach ensures customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and long-term success. #QualityManagement #ZeroDefects #PhilipCrosby #ProcessImprovement #ContinuousImprovement #Leadership #QualityLeadership #QualityManagement #QualityCulture #LeadershipExcellence #QualityMonth

Going to be transparent here. Over the past years, consulting at various places, working for companies or doing POD casts, the comment I hear the most is "I do not sell fear". Meaning, Quality has to be a part of the business process, Quality has to know the risks, rewards and processes in each step. My crews and I never sell fear, we present facts and consequences, then we present a solution. Not based on gut but business sense and quality actions. I have been around excellent quality people, Kristin Garlewicz, James Krahling, Juan Morales, and of course Frankie Calabrese. There are many more people not mentioned but the point is this, once a quality unit begins selling fear, they can't go back. Quality doesn't negotiate product safety/integrity or labeling laws. Be smart, come with solutions and reach for excellence, it's not hard.

As part of my commitment to personal and professional development, I recently decided to invest my time to go deeper into quality management. Quality has always intrigued me, so I decided to enrol in a course that caught my attention on LinkedIn Learning: “Quality Management Foundations" by Steve Brown (I highly recommend it, by the way!) Anyway, while the course leaned more towards several industries, many of the principles were strikingly applicable to the socks industry. They really resonated deeply with me & got me thinking about how we approach quality at Moody Socks Factory. At Moody Socks Factory, quality isn’t just a buzzword – at all. Our commitment to delivering top-notch products isn't something we take lightly, and our clients can vouch for that! But here’s the exciting part – we’re not stopping at that; we’re raising the bar even higher for ourselves. 👉🏻Here’s where the concept of “quality at the source” enters. If you're not familiar with the term, "quality at the source" essentially means ensuring quality is built into the production process from the very beginning.  It's about empowering every individual within the organization to take ownership of quality, rather than treating it as a set of standards or some external benchmark to be met. That’s exactly what we’re doing.  We're fostering a culture where quality isn't just a checkbox – it's ingrained in every aspect of our work. Each member of our team is a "quality control system" in their own right, ensuring that excellence stems out of every stitch and seam. But enough from me – I'd love to hear your thoughts! How do you approach quality in your line of work? #qualitymanagement #continuousimprovement #qualityathesource

Tomorrow is May 4th, and to all the quality Star Wars fans out there, we want to say - May the 4th be with you! As we celebrate this special day, let's also remember the wise words of Master Yoda: "Follow the SOPs you must or compliance risks you will find.” Regulatory agencies like the FDA and EMA stress the importance of adhering to SOPs to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (#GMP) and other vital standards. Ignoring these guidelines isn't just a path to the dark side—it can lead to serious consequences for your business. Here's what can go wrong when you don’t follow SOPs: ◾ Compromised product quality: Deviations from SOPs can cause inconsistencies in manufacturing processes, compromising the quality of your products. Poor quality can impact efficacy, safety, and shelf-life, putting patient health at risk. ◾ Increased risk of adverse events: Skipping established procedures can lead to errors, accidents, or contamination. This increases the risk of adverse events or defects, potentially harming patients and damaging your company's reputation. ◾ Loss of consumer trust: Non-compliance can erode consumer trust in your brand and products. A tarnished reputation can lead to decreased sales, market share, and long-term viability. ◾ Employee dissatisfaction: Failing to follow SOPs can also impact your team. When procedures are ignored or poorly managed, it can create confusion, conflict, or mistrust among employees. This can lower morale, engagement, and productivity. ◾ Operational inefficiencies: Ignoring #SOPs can disrupt your manufacturing processes, causing delays, rework, and increased costs. These inefficiencies can decrease productivity, profitability, and your competitive edge in the market. So, this Star Wars Day, let's channel our inner Jedi and commit to following SOPs diligently. May the 4th be a reminder that compliance isn't just about rules—it's about ensuring quality, safety, trust, and success in a galaxy not so far away. 🌌 #MayThe4thBeWithYou #QualityCompliance #FollowTheSOPs

🌟 Quality First: Because Every Product Matters 🌟 In manufacturing, every product tells a story. It’s a reflection of your brand, your commitment, and your values. That’s why quality assurance isn’t just a process; it’s a promise—to your customers, your team, and your future. 💡 Here’s why prioritizing quality is non-negotiable: ✅ Builds trust with customers, fostering loyalty. ✅ Reduces waste and increases efficiency. ✅ Ensures compliance and reduces risks. At the heart of it all is a simple principle: "If it’s worth making, it’s worth making right." 🎯 As leaders and professionals, let’s ask ourselves: Are we embedding quality at every stage of production? Are we empowering teams to take ownership of quality? 📢 Join the conversation! How does your organization prioritize quality in every product? Drop your thoughts below or share your best practices! Let’s champion a future where every product matters. 👉 #QualityAssurance #EveryProductMatters #QualityFirst #ManufacturingExcellence #ContinuousImprovement

 This World Quality Week, we celebrate “From Compliance to Performance” and the essential role quality assurance plays in an organization’s success. Quality assurance isn’t just a process—it’s a commitment to reliability, accountability, and continuous progress. Organizations that embrace quality assurance not only meet but exceed standards, fostering a culture of excellence and trust. Here’s to raising the standards and committing to quality in every step! #WorldQualityWeek2024 #QualityAssurance #FromComplianceToPerformance #OrganizationalExcellence