There’s a lot of talk about survival lately. And no more common than in the workplace. Companies continue to trim costs and with it, the size of the quality department. Still, in the midst of all that, I’m seeing companies and individuals take survival steps that are strengthening their position for the future. Here’s a short list of survival strategies for the Quality Professional:
1. Adapt. Companies are looking for more flexible resources. Many are moving to outsourcing quality activities such as first article inspections. That can feel threatening at times. Yet the best you can do is to be innovative. Stay open to new ideas. Find ways to make the new reality work within your organization. Adapt so that you have the best opportunity to be a valued part of the new solution.
2. Learn. Too often I hear that the quality department is “old school”. This economy has shown no mercy for “old school”. Quality professionals need to be at the top of their game – now more than ever. It may be the reason we’re seeing a surge in quality-related training. The attendee’s in today’s Fundamentals of GD&T training class have come from 5 different states to improve on their skills. You may not need GD&T training, but there are probably some gaps in your skill set and what your company needs from you today. Fill the gaps. Learn something new. Become more valueable to your organization.
3. Innovate. Don’t assume that new request can’t be done. Find out how it can. Today’s capabilities may allow you to provide a valueable answer for your organization that, perhaps, you previously thought was impossible. Use the skill sets of other professionals. Outsource if you have to. Check out micro-scanning and other new technologies that will expand what you’ve previously offered to your manufacturing and engineering groups. Be creative.
4. Produce. The quality department’s productivity is rarely measured. At The QC Group, we review the productivity and quality of every job each Monday morning. Operate as if you had that same accountability – as if you had to answer for the results of every hour you’ve been paid for. Be the most accurate – but be the most productive employee in your plant. People will notice. You’ll not be looked upon as a cost burden; but an asset. Produce as if every day was your last day on the job. And more than likely, you’ll be granted another day to do the same.
5. Serve. As if your life depended on it. After all, that’s what your employer hired you for. They took a chance on you – that you might serve; that you might add more value than the wages and benefits that you get paid. Otherwise your employer wouldn’t have hired you. Serve the engineering group. Serve the people making the parts. Serve your boss. Serve delightfully. People want to be around that.
Adapt, learn, innovate, produce, and serve. Your employer needs those things from you. Today. Tomorrow. Next year.
