This episode of the podcast discusses the topic of quality and excellence in work, with Ahmed Attar hosting Dr. Ahmad Al-Jabr, the current president of the American Society for Quality in its Saudi branch, and a specialist in quality management. The participants discuss the significant transformations that the concept of quality has undergone over time, ranging from the 1920s to the modern era, and how quality is no longer merely about meeting specifications but has become about exceeding customer expectations. Dr. Al-Jabr discusses the historical developments of quality, including total quality management systems and the culture of institutional excellence, emphasizing how companies today, especially after the Corona pandemic, need to strive for continuous excellence to maintain their competitive edge. He also seeks to highlight the importance of professional associations and their role in enhancing the skills of students and employees in their fields, offering advice to students on how to leverage the opportunities available in the market. The podcast also reviews the importance of quality in all areas, not just in large companies, making it a principle that can be applied in the daily lives of individuals.
Modern Challenges in Achieving Quality
In the modern business world, companies face increasing challenges to compete and meet customer expectations. Achieving quality is no longer sufficient; institutions must strive to exceed customer expectations. This new concept of quality means that companies are not only obligated to provide products or services that meet needs, but they must also amaze and surprise customers with their experiences. Twenty years ago, the focus was solely on providing the product, as in the case of Nokia devices that only allowed for calling and limited text messaging. However, with the evolution of technology, such as the advent of Apple devices, we began to witness a radical shift where users could access a world full of opportunities and information.
This evolution in the concept of quality reflects how customer expectations have been rising over time, necessitating continuous innovation and renewal from companies. For example, companies that rely on innovation face immense pressure to deliver advanced products consistently, requiring them to respond swiftly to market needs. In this context, the importance of quality emerges as a fundamental factor for success amidst high competition.
It is also important to address how crises, such as the Corona crisis, have impacted companies’ perceptions of the importance of quality. This crisis has accelerated digital transformations and altered consumer behaviors, making companies critically need to establish new strategies to ensure quality and excel in performance. Amid these changes, companies must cultivate a quality culture across all aspects of their operations, contributing to performance improvement and achieving positive financial results.
The History of Quality and Its Development Over Time
The history of quality spans many decades, beginning with the concepts of quality in the early 20th century with the mass production model introduced by Ford. The goal of this model was to increase production with lower quality standards, leading to defective products. After World War II, companies recognized the importance of ensuring quality through developing monitoring and evaluation systems, resulting in standards such as total quality management.
In Japan, a new concept of quality was developed, focusing on linking production processes with customer desires, known as demand-driven production. This system helped Japanese companies compete globally, providing high-quality products that meet consumer needs. During the 1980s, the “Six Sigma” methodology was introduced, which relies on statistical analysis to reduce defects. This methodology achieved remarkable results for companies like General Electric, reflecting the importance of applying precise quality standards.
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After all these developments, we see that the focus on quality is no longer limited to product manufacturing but also includes customer experience and service processes. This shift in the concept of quality reflects the growing need to achieve institutional excellence. Many companies today strive to obtain excellence awards such as the Malcolm Baldrige Award, which indicates the importance of sustainable excellence in the business world.
Concept of Continuous Excellence in Companies
Continuous excellence is a strategic concept that seeks to achieve ongoing improvement in all aspects of work. The goal of this program is to identify improvement opportunities within the company’s departments and launch projects aimed at enhancing process quality. This concept gains particular significance in light of the challenges faced by modern companies, as increasing competition makes it essential to maintain excellence to sustain the company’s market position.
The continuous excellence program established at Aramco serves as a model in this field. This program works to employ improvement initiatives across all company departments, contributing to achieving outstanding results. Through these initiatives, employees can identify root problems and apply appropriate solutions, thereby enhancing the culture of quality in the workplace.
For example, the company has achieved impressive results by implementing institutional excellence standards, having received several awards from the King Abdulaziz Quality Award. This success is not just a coincidence, but the result of a sustainable work culture that encourages innovation and continuous improvement. The program also ensures support from top management, further enhancing the significance of quality as a strategic element in all aspects of work.
Professional Associations and Their Impact on Education and Employment
Professional associations play an integral role in developing students’ skills and enhancing their opportunities in the job market. These associations help students connect with professionals in their fields, providing them the chance to gain practical knowledge that can aid in their future careers. By engaging in various activities organized by these associations, students can learn about the latest trends and challenges in their field.
For instance, engineering associations such as the American Society for Quality offer students opportunities to attend conferences and workshops, enabling them to expand their professional networks. Additionally, participating in these activities allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom in a practical environment.
Furthermore, associations can provide training and employment opportunities, facilitating students’ transition from academia to the job market. As students face significant challenges upon graduation, involvement in professional associations can have a substantial impact on their career paths. These experiences not only contribute to building necessary skills but also help bolster self-confidence and create distinguished resumes.
Quality as a Principle in Personal and Professional Life
Quality is not just a concept followed in institutions and companies; it is a principle that individuals should embody in their daily lives. By applying quality principles in every aspect of life, individuals can enhance their effectiveness and achieve better results in all fields. Striving for a high level of quality involves individuals’ commitment to their work and emphasizing the importance of delivering their best in every task they undertake.
In this context, the concept of “ihsan” is one of the fundamental principles that individuals should embody in their lives. As mentioned in the honorable hadith, “Indeed, Allah loves that when one of you does a job, he should do it with perfection,” every individual should strive to achieve the highest level of quality in all they do, whether in work or personal life.
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For example, the concept of quality can be applied in the study of students, where they should strive to understand the study materials in depth and deliver their best in projects and research. A person working in the services domain can also seek to provide the best customer experience, enhancing the level of quality they offer. Therefore, quality is not just a goal, but a way of life that everyone should strive to achieve in all aspects of their lives.
The episode was summarized using artificial intelligence ezycontent
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