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Training key to reinventing quality for 21st century business says survey

Quality practices need to be reinvented for the 21st century enterprise. That’s the opinion of 58% of quality professionals polled by the Institute for Quality Assurance (IQA).

Though nearly half (46%) agreed that quality professionals were failing to translate their skills and processes into something relevant to business managers, four out of five (79%) believed that the key to dealing with the communications gap is a combination of education and training. And there was a virtually unanimous agreement (90%) that British business would benefit if they understood each other better.

The IQA has begun to address this issue. Its new Company Membership Scheme will include a variety of benefits such as CEO Forums and free quality inductions. In addition, the IQA are to launch a range of training programmes to help quality professionals market their value more effectively to business.

The study also found that over half (56%) of the respondents think that most business managers do not see the benefit of having formal quality management processes and training.

Commenting on the survey, aimed at clarifying the place of quality in improving business, Frank Steer, Director General of the IQA said: "Many business managers are failing to appreciate how quality can improve their business and work-life balance. They tend to equate quality management with certification and the quality of a manufactured product when in reality it covers every aspect of managing a business. It adds value and sharpens competitive edge."

Steer also recognised that quality professionals have to catch up with their clients. "Too many in the profession are failing to package 'quality' as a ‘must have’ answer to critical business challenges and opportunities. The challenge for every professional services provider is to demonstrate relevance to front-line managers."

The Director General concluded: "We can’t change things overnight but we are actively engaging with our members and key business organisations to address some of the issues raised in the survey. We are quite clear that a well managed quality agenda that is part of business and corporate strategy will make a bigger difference to British business. There are many examples of companies exploiting this throughout the world and we should first follow their lead – and then overtake them"

893 quality consultants responded to the on-line poll carried out by the Institute of Quality Assurance.

For further information on the Institute of Quality Assurance vist: www.iqa.org/

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