As we wrap up the ASQ conference here in Anaheim, CA, I’m left with an empowering sense of passion for the quality community and their sincere commitment to spreading the word and making the world a better place. As an ASQ Influential Voice, I was fortunate enough to help spread the word throughout the conference via our social media network. I was also fortunate enough to meet several other Influential Voices that are doing their part to “raise the voice of quality.” The conference was packed with over 100 sessions to choose from. From “Answering Today’s CEO Challenges to Quality” to “Integrating DMAIC Controls in the Outsourcing Life Cycle” to “Cost of Poor Quality: Dimensions for Failure Analysis,” I’ve certainly added value to my body of knowledge where quality is concerned and will incorporate what I’ve learned into our operations at Pro QC. The keynote speakers did a fantastic job! James Albaugh, CEO at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, made an excellent point when he noted that “people need to understand the consequences of not doing something right.” He also noted something particularly close to home for the Pro QC team, which is that “making the right decisions is not enough. You have to have the right culture.” We have worked very hard to create a culture of quality, and it’s certainly a competitive advantage we are proud of. Carletta Ooten, VP & Chief Quality, Safety and Sustainable Operations Officer at Coca-Cola, addressed their strategic focus areas and 2020 vision. She hit the target by noting their objective is to “protect the brand through strong quality governance and driving continuous improvement through quality excellence.” I also appreciated her comment that “sometimes the simple things are best.” Simon Sinek, noted author, gave an inspirational keynote that touched on organizational and personal leadership. “It’s not about what we do. It’s about what we believe.” And, he inspired the audience to realize that “it’s not what you do, but why you do it.” As the conference comes to a close today, I look forward to reviewing my notes and posting additional insight and knowledge learned from my time with the quality community.
