Making your team more successful with TQM (Total Quality Management)

Every company needs a way to keep quality up to the International Standards for Organization or ISO.The ISO defines Total Quality Management as "a management approach for an organization, centered on quality, based on the participation of all its members and aiming at long-term success through customer satisfaction, and benefits to all members of the organization and to society."This program helps to keep your business wrapped around properties of quality and standardizing your products as quality products.It keeps you to a higher standard.There are four steps to Total Quality Management

1. Kaizen- This step focuses on Continuous Process Improvement.The point is to make all processes visible, repeatable and measurable.When you are always looking at your product and wondering what could be done to make it better, that is something that fulfills this step.When you are doing this, make sure to keep in mind that "better" doesn't always mean adding features.Sometimes it can mean simply improving the features you have or removing things that confuses customers.There is always something that can be done to improve your product, and if you are doing this, you have a much better chance at running a successful business.
2. Atarimae Hinshitsu- This step embodies the idea that things will work as they are supposed to.Doesn't that just seem right?Of course things should work the way that you've promised.Make sure that your products meet all of the expectations that you have set.In this day and age, there are so many products that are filled with empty promises.Most often times, when this happens, the products get returned when purchased, and never considered again.When a customer feels as though they have been lied to, they are not likely to purchase from your company again.Make sure that you can deliver what you have promised.
3. Kansei- Examining the way the your users apply the product leads to improvement in the product itself.Basically, this just means that getting feedback from the customer is one of the best ways to improve your product.Make as many opportunities as you can to receive information back from your customers, because in the end, who knows better what the customers want then the customers themselves?Combining the power of the customer and the knowledge of your employees, you will be able to create the best product possible.
4. Miryokuteki Hinshitsu- The fourth and final principle behind total quality management is called Miryokuteki Hinshitsu.It embodies the idea that things should have an aesthetic quality.There is something to be said about your product looking better than the competition's.When you take a trip down an isle at the grocery store or down an unknown computer accessories isle with package would you pick up?Would you even consider picking up the one with little to no graphics on in it?I doubt you would.Most people are much more drawn to packaging with bright, colorful graphics.Even if your product is better than that of the competition, you will almost definitely lack in sales if your product is packaged less appealingly.In the sales business, looks matter, and it's important to remember this concept.
Using these principles requires a company to maintain a very high quality as a standard throughout all aspect of their business.There is something to say about doing things right the first time.When things are done right you have happy customers and happy employees, and most importantly, your business will grow.Total Quality Management, when executed correctly, can greatly increase your business.It involved simple concepts that make profound differences.