Nate Call, CMQ/OE’s Post

Is there an ego problem in the Quality profession? TL;DR - yes, yes there is Why? Well, we could talk about how power corrupts and go down that path But I think the issue is actually much simpler than it is philosophical In our line of work, we see quite a few Quality Managers (or higher) without the proper combination of training, education, and experience An unqualified Quality Manager with an ego is a literal danger to the public When you don't have the tools or knowledge you need to succeed, but are expected to run a functional quality management system You are are going to pull the "NO" card more often than you should Why? You're scared Scared of saying yes in the wrong situation Fearful of what will come out of your broken quality system Terrified of being caught not knowing whatever it is you don't know So, "NO" becomes an easy out These "NO" folks are easy to spot but we won't get in to that If you're a Quality Manager dropping "NO" on everyone left and right, understand this: -people will eventually go behind your back or over your head to get things done -you do not have the absolute authoritative respect you think you do -if you don't follow "NO" with a crystal clear reason, you're doing your peers a disservice -you have an ego problem Don't pretend to know what you don't know It can be harmful to the public, your business, and yourself There are certainly situations where a hard and fast "NO" is the appropriate response But you have to recognize how to spot those situations Become a student of the profession, be honest, and do the right thing No one is born an expert in Good Manufacturing Practices with a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Don't pretend you were #quality #manufacturing #cpgindustry #cosmetics #beautyindustry #dietarysupplements #foodandbeverage #compliance #consulting #training

We’re all quality people. You, me, all of us. Odds are, your supervisor expects you to: -be consistent -learn & improve -standardize processes -be technically proficient -use data to make decisions -always think of your customer -master value creation and execution At a high level, that’s what we do. Sure, there are industry-specific functions. But the philosophy of what quality is, what it does, and where it can take you… Transcends all industries. HOWEVER Not everyone is good at being a quality person. We’ve all encountered a tyrannical Quality Manager or ten in our day - I know I have. Sometimes those tyrants are pretty effective at getting things done, despite the damage they cause. But that isn’t the right path. Kindness and patience go a long way. If you can do all of these things patiently and with kindness, you’re doing better than most. Qualitas Executive Group #quality #compliance #manufacturing #cosmetics #beautyindustry #cpgbrands #dietarysupplements #foodandbeverageindustry #qualitas

Excited to share this game-changing article by Scilife on fostering a quality culture for compliance. Dive deep into insights that can revolutionize how we approach compliance and quality management. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your strategies! #QualityCulture #Compliance #Innovation https://lnkd.in/diwa72xt

HOW TO BUILD QUALITY CULTURE §  §  Building a quality culture is paramount to ensuring the safety & efficacy of products, compliance with regulations & fostering trust among stakeholders. Here's how to establish & nurture a robust quality culture: 1. Leadership Commitment: - Top leadership must demonstrate a strong commitment to quality in all their actions & decisions. - Ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to quality initiatives, including personnel, technology & training. 2. Clearly Defined Quality Standards: - Stay abreast of regulations & standards, and ensure that your organization complies rigorously. - Establish internal quality standards that go beyond compliance to set higher benchmarks for quality & safety. 3. Education & Training: - Invest in ongoing education & training for employees at all levels to keep them updated on the latest quality practices & regulatory requirements. - Identify & nurture quality champions within the organization who can mentor others. 4. Effective Communication: - Foster a culture of transparency where employees are encouraged to report quality issues without fear of reprisal. - Encourage open communication & collaboration among different departments, such as R&D, manufacturing, & QA. 5. Risk Management: - Implement a robust risk management system to identify & mitigate potential quality risks early in the product life cycle. - Use risk assessments to drive continuous improvement efforts. 6. Quality Metrics & KPIs: - Define & track quality KPIs to measure & improve the performance of quality systems & processes. - Make data-driven decisions based on quality metrics to identify areas for improvement. 7. Quality Control & Assurance: - Implement stringent QC measures at every stage of drug development & manufacturing. - Establish independent QA teams to monitor & ensure compliance. 8. Employee Engagement: - Recognize & reward employees who consistently contribute to the organization's quality culture. - Encourage employees to provide feedback & suggestions for improving quality processes. 9. Audit & Inspection Readiness: - Conduct internal audits & inspections to identify & rectify potential issues before external audits. - Practice mock regulatory inspections to ensure readiness for actual inspections. 10. Continuous Improvement: - Embrace the principles of continuous improvement (Kaizen) to systematically identify & eliminate sources of waste & inefficiency.      - Encourage a "no-blame" culture where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for improvement. 11. Supplier Quality Management: - Choose suppliers who share your commitment to quality & regularly assess their performance. - Foster collaborative relationships with suppliers to ensure the quality of R.Ms. & components. By implementing these strategies & fostering a quality-focused mindset, companies can build a strong quality culture. #PharmaCompliance #PharmaIndustry #QualityCulture #CultureOfExcellence

Maintaining ongoing compliance and readiness for future audits is crucial for organizations. Establishing a culture of continuous improvement is key. #compliance #foodsafety #quality #audits #foodandbeverage

Waiting until a major quality event happens to hire a Quality Manager is a risky move I can appreciate being a startup and feeling like every dollar spent on wages has to generate revenue But even if you’re a small brand or manufacturer One major quality event can easily cost you >$100k Leveraging strategic quality management as early as possible is an incredible safeguard for your business You and the team may have decades of industry experience You may be used to working in controlled environments But until you have someone with experience dedicated to the Quality Management System You roll the dice every day We support brands and manufacturers through fractional quality management all day every day You don’t have to spend $400k/year between a handful of quality employees You can spend a fraction of that and have the best team in the business at your side Need a QMS built and deployed in 90 days? Done Need a supplier audited with 2 days notice? Done Need support negotiating manufacturing quality agreements? Done Need to sprint through a project to submit your hero SKUs to XYZ retailer? Done We do everything a traditional quality & compliance team can do We just do it better at Qualitas Executive Group If you’re ready to LIVE quality in your business, set up a meeting with me today 💪🏻 #qualitymanagement #quality #cpgindustry #dietarysupplements #beautyindustry #foodandbeverage #consulting #manufacturing #brands

Every successful Quality Manager needs an efficient eQMS like BPAQuality365®, https://lnkd.in/dwKrT84p What Is a #Quality Manager? Job Description, Skills to Become One, https://lnkd.in/djfRNQhg #qms #qualitymanagement #audit #compliance #jobs #career #humanresources #regulations #iso9001

The Fine Line in Quality Practices Some time at the beginning of my Quality Journey one of external auditors I worked with told me: "When you walk into the office and see that people try to disappear or pretend to be extremely busy, so that you, maaayybee, don't approach them - that means you are doing your job right!" It was a conversation over coffee and was meant, partially, as a joke, but I think the sense of it was that if people see you, they understand why "Quality" is coming after them: they need to improve their documentation, close that action, develop a process, participate in the audit or something like that... so they understood the purpose of quality tasks - which is good, right? Well.. that was one of the most misleading advices I have got in my career. Behavior and the approach of Quality Managers in any company is the foundation for the attitude of People towards Quality - Resistance vs. Acceptance: - We don’t dictate --> We Facilitate - We don't educate --> We Advise  - We don't dismiss --> We Engage - We don't debate --> We Collaborate - We don't force  --> We Guide Quality Managers are Peoples' Persons! ...are we? P.S. I never took that advice into action ;) #quality #qualitymanager #qualityculture

Changing minds and winning buy-in is about changing perspectives For example... A common narrative about supplier auditing looks something like: We don't have time or resources to pre-qualify manufacturing partners or suppliers Quality just slows us down, our co-man handles all of that with their Quality team All Quality wants to do is tell us why we can't do something Fair enough (sort of) However, we view Quality Auditors in same way a professional sports team utilizes scouts to find new talent and support These scouts look for ways to fill gaps in the organization by leveraging a crystal clear understanding of its end-to-end needs, priorities, and values Quality Auditors (should) operate with the same approach We're not auditing with the intent to disqualify your entire supply chain Ok, some auditors do seem to have this approach for whatever reason But I digress Quality Auditors should be partners who enable the success of your business by ensuring you engage the right talent (suppliers/co-mans) with the right capabilities (priorities) who share a common philosophy of doing things right the first time, every time (values) What kind of partner is your Quality Audit team? Qualitas Executive Group is a team full of highly experienced, hyper-specialized auditors and professionals who are ready to build and manage the quality system of your dreams Reach out to Carly Tolman or I to learn more about how we've saved our clients from the pain and suffering that comes with using the wrong partners #quality #auditing #compliance #fda #dietarysupplements #foodandbeverage #cosmetics #beautyindustry #cpgindustry #manufacturing

In the fast-paced environment of the food industry, maintaining consistent product quality is crucial. Here are three practical tips that have proven effective in my experience as a Quality Assurance officer: 1. Regular Audits and Inspections: Routine checks are the backbone of quality assurance. By conducting regular audits at each stage of production, from raw materials to finished goods, you can catch potential issues early. This proactive approach minimizes risks and ensures that only products meeting the highest standards reach the market. 2. Detailed Documentation: Good documentation practices are vital. Every inspection, test result, and corrective action should be thoroughly documented. This not only provides traceability but also helps in continuous improvement by identifying trends and areas for enhancement. 3. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Quality is a team effort. Engaging with other departments, such as production and engineering, ensures that everyone is aligned on quality standards and practices. Regular communication and collaboration can help in swiftly addressing any issues that arise, leading to better overall product quality. What other tips do you find essential in ensuring product quality? Let's share our knowledge and keep improving together! 💪 #QualityAssurance #FoodIndustry #ContinuousImprovement #ProductQuality