ABSTRACT
There can be few current business or industrial topics which warrant the word survival as the measure of their importance. But the lesson of continuous quality improvement is so sharp that executives must see it in that light. Every company is in competition with Japanese quality because of the way the Japanese have changed the perceptions and expectations of all customers. Experiences of the companies that have committed themselves to Total Quality Management have demonstrated that management and workers alike will adopt new attitudes. Waste and rework on the factory floor is obvious. Wasted resources in rework, checking and chasing problems in design and administrative areas are usually hidden. Educated, trained and fully involved people will create an attitude of continuous step by step improvement that represents innovation on a large scale. A preferable solution is to work with consultants who have developed an education approach but are prepared to tailor that approach to the specific organisation.
