SfC Home > Business > ISO 9000 > TQM >
Reader questions and feedback on Improve Your Business with Total Quality Management (TQM). Also refer to ISO 9000, Taguchi, Deming, statistics, satisfy customer, suppliers, excellence, success, achievements, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Total Quality:
Principles
The following 32 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- How can TQM be a personal competency or strength?
- What are the criteria for developing TQM practices?
- What is the relation between TQM and MBA?
- TQM in a take-out restaurant
- Where is Zero Defects concept vital.
- Comparning TQM and ISO 9000
- Hotel receptionist service
- Doing a presentation on total quality management
- Using TQM in assembly of TV sets
- Wants to start up a new business
How can TQM be a personal competency or strength?
Question
November 2, 2009
I have taken tests to evaluate my competencies (Career Architect), strengths and weaknesses, etc. One of my strengths came up as "Total Quality Management."
Please explain what this means as a personal competency or strength.
Thank you.
Trudy - Canada
18613
Answer
It is unusual to have Total Quality Management come up as a personal competence or strength, especially since it is a business philosophy. Perhaps it was an indication of you personal philosophy toward doing work and running a business.
As an architect, you would want to do your work efficiently and reduce wasteful practices. Also, you would have a goal of satisfying your customer by providing them with a quality design. This would be an example of a philosophy that followed TQM.
What are the criteria for developing TQM practices?
Question
October 12, 2009
what are the criteria for developing TQM practices in an organization.
kwaku - Ghana
18487
Answer
Upper management in a company or organization must decide to use TQM in the way they run the business. Then they should follow the basic philosophies of seeking to satisfy the customer with quality goods, help suppliers and workers to provide quality, and continuously seek to improve the way work is done in order to reduce waste.
What is the relation between TQM and MBA?
Question
October 4, 2009
what is the relation between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Master Of Business Administration (MBA)?
kumar - India
18433
Answer
TQM is a management philosophy to improve the quality of work and reduce waste in a company. Some MBA problems include courses in TQM or its equivalent Six-Sigma, as well as other courses to improve a company's output.
TQM in a take-out restaurant
Question
September 28, 2009
How must viewing the take-out restaurant with limited dining facility form "Three Levels of quality " named infrustructure, practices & tools and discuss to help improve the business plan
delcy - Sri Lanka
18400
Answer
It is important to have food of the quality that customers expect for the price they pay. But even more important is that the service--even in a take-out restaurant--is first rate. See:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/tqm/restaurant_quality.htm
You need to make your workers aware of satisfying the customer. It is good to have a Quality Manual available for them to see the viewpoint and to know how to do their jobs effectively.
Following ISO 9000 procedures will help to organize the business and its infrastructure.
Where is Zero Defects concept vital.
Question
September 7, 2009
Mention the two areas where the implementation of Zero defect concept is absolutely vital.
SUNIL - India
18267
Answer
Any part or system where failure from defects can cause a serious loss is vital.
Unfortunately, the Zero Defects concept is unrealistic, since nothing is perfect and there always will be some defects when a large number of parts are made.
Zero Defects was replaced by the Six Sigma concept, which allows defects only in 1 out of 3 million parts. Six Sigma can be achieved, where Zero Defects cannot for a large number of products.
Comparning TQM and ISO 9000
Question
September 7, 2009
TQM is a marathon while ISO is the sprint. Give two reasons why this is true.
Sunil - India
18266
Answer
ISO 9000 should be used first to set up good operations and documentation. Then TQM is used to increase quality and reduce waste. The latest version of ISO 9000 is now employing TQM methods.
Hotel receptionist service
Question
September 7, 2009
List 5 attributes in finding the quality of service provided by a receptionist in a hotel.
sunil - India
18265
Answer
Being friendly and efficient are two ways to increase customer satisfaction. Also, not making mistakes is important.
Doing a presentation on total quality management
Question
April 30, 2009
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am doing a presentation on total quality management and I do not know what to say since I haven't covered the topic yet in my class. Could you please send me some Basic Tips on what to say, especially the practical side of Total Quality Management?
Your positive response is highly appreciated.
Joel Gamba
Student (Divine Word University)
Joel - Papua New Guinea
17678
Answer
You can get a good overview of Total Quality Management by going through our lessons.
Take a look at the online presentation, with slides and audio, that was given on TQM at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/sdi/3_phase_tqm.htm
That should give you a practical application of TQM.
Best wishes in your presentation.
Using TQM in assembly of TV sets
Question
November 21, 2008
Dear Sir
Im Chathuranga, a Sri Lankan. I have a plan of setup a plant to essamble TVs in here.
Could you pls advice me that what are the steps which I could take in order to assure the TQM is in order.
Thanks & Best Regards
Chathuranga - Sri Lanka
16836
Answer
Your goal is to make quality products (TVs) that fulfill the customer's specifications and expectations, while minimizing losses and waste in your assembly process.
You can do this by making sure you have clear requirements from your customer and by working to satisfy them with the best product possible.
You also want to improve the assembly process by asking your workers to point out areas of waste and inefficiency. Their input on the quality of the product will help them be proud of their work and help the overall efficiency.
Usually, it is the process and method that needs improvement, not pushing the workers to do more.
Likewise, you want suppliers and those providing services to your plant to feel they are your partners. Help and encourage them to provide you with quality goods and services. Your success will be their success too.
Measurement is important in TQM in order to monitor progress. How long does it take to assemble the TVs? How many defective sets do you have? How often does assembly equipment break down? How much money is lost due to waste, broken parts, and such? It is good to measure such things to know if you are improving.
The major measurement is the cost to assemble the TV. Reducing that cost by effective processes and procedures will increase the company profit.
I hope these ideas help in setting up TQM in your assembly plant.
Wants to start up a new business
Question
November 20, 2008
i find your teaching absolutely interesting,its suffice to say, after going your work i am force to apply for a second degree course because of the inspiration. first, i ve a palm kernel equipement where am looking at the productions of palm kernel oil(pko) pls will you send me your economic advise on how to go about the taking off of this vision. i will be glad suppose i hear from you. mainwhile i am a hotel manager of over 50 rooms situated in port harcourt city in river state of nigeria.
thanks
EGON - Nigeria
16834
Answer
In planning to start a new business, you need to first examine the need for the product and the competition of others in the same field. Become a student of the business, so that you know what other companies are doing and how they are getting their customers.
Also to start a business, you need funding to buy equipment and get things going. If you can show others how you will make money from the business, you should be able to get financial assistance. Your enthusiasm about the promise of your business will help.
Your experience as a hotel manager can be valuable, since you will need to know how to manage your enterprise or business. When you write up a plan of how you will start your business, you can include your management experience as a valuable asset.
I hope these ideas help you in achieving your dream in the palm kernel business. Best wishes on your success.
Summary
Hopefully, this reader feedback has helped provide information about TQM issues.
Always do your best
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Websites
Books
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Feel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site.
Where are you now?
Total Quality Management (TQM) topics
Answers to Readers' Questions