The secret to quality and perfection.

It means that you are lovingly doing all of the things that bring out your absolute best. 

The word ‘love’ is appropriate, because it is precisely right in both the meaning and the feeling that it carries. 

Do all things lovingly; that is the secret to quality and perfection, and expecting nothing but perfection is the first step toward achieving it. 

A loving devotion to quality allows no detail to be overlooked. It wants everything to be “just so”, nothing that might affect that which makes the performance spectacular can be neglected or regarded as trivial. 

A compulsion to be tidy, orderly and well organized is a natural impulse and by-product in a workplace where quality is taken to heart.

While the ideal of perfection is always humbling, it should never be thought of  as defeating. There is no rest when it comes to quality; therefore, quality must be an obsession. 

The passionate pursuit of perfection is what gives work meaning and gratifies the human soul. When the work we do is the work we love, the results are a shining testament of quality. 

Quality first, quality always is the mark of greatness; therefore choose to be great today!

Pay Attention to Details

The popular philosophy that instructs us not to “sweat the small stuff” is flawed, because it breeds poor customer service, under-performance, wasted opportunity, mistakes, inconsistencies, rework, and oversights.

From typos to tardiness, many people and organizations act as if details just don’t matter much. The result of this mindset is that they treat customers poorly, deliver sloppy results, and show up both unprepared and late.

Many people downplay small details, dismissing them as minutia—the “small stuff” that we’re encouraged to ignore. But in fact, our entire environment is simply an accumulation of tiny details. Although we measure our lives in years, we live them in days, hours, minutes and seconds.

Every action—every detail of our lives–has bottom-line repercussions; and it’s dangerous and derogatory to think of any of those details as trivial, unimportant or inconsequential.

Successful people, in many walks of life, understand the importance of detail:

• Crime scene investigators know that it’s often the smallest, most obscure detail that results in the arrest and prosecution of criminals.
• Athletes and coaches are all too aware that one minor misjudgment can swing momentum to their competitor and result in a loss rather than a win.
• Doctors and nurses understand that the slightest mistake or loss of focus can result in a tragic situation that carries massive liability.
• Business people carefully oversee the details of their products and services, knowing that one simple slip-up can cause a series of events that negatively impacts the bottom line, brand integrity, and public perception.
• Engineers and architects know that the stability of the most gigantic structure depends on the integrity of its smallest element; a failed bolt or a misplaced pin can have huge consequences.
• Fireman, first aid responders, and other emergency personnel are trained to focus on details even as a tragedy unfolds; as every second can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.
• Amusement parks know that the safety and physical well-being of their guests—and the financial viability of the company—require consistent and meticulous attention to the minute mechanical details of rides and attractions.
• Computer programmers spend their careers tightly focused on detail, as one incorrect digit in a code of millions can create an operational nightmare for the end user.
• Automotive detailers make their living by restoring a car to showroom condition. This requires the removal of every last piece of lint, dirt, and grime; and the major tool of their trade is a simple Q-tip.

Ultimately, the key to quality in every aspect of our lives is doing little things correctly — all the time, every time, — so that each action produces a quality result.

When every detail is lovingly attended to, and each step in the process is given complete and careful attention, the end result inevitably will be of the highest quality. Consistent attention to the small details produces excellence—that’s why we must all sweat the small stuff!

Quality is the calling card of greatness.

This post began with a simple question: What is quality?

Quality is about love; it’s a passionate obsession with perfection. It is the result of good intentions, uncompromising standards, sincere effort, intelligent design, attention to detail and skillful execution.

Quality is the calling card of greatness; and it represents the wisest choice among many alternatives.

True quality is only achieved through continuous improvement in performance that ensures the highest standards of your products, services, processes and technology.

If you have any intention of being competitive, then quality — in the broadest sense of the term — must become an obsession. Dynamic, sustainable results will only be achieved through an obsession with quality.

High achievers are essentially scientists whose laboratories happen to be any of a variety of places — the kitchen, athletic field, courtroom, classroom, and boardroom.

They test assumptions, experiment with new concepts and ideas, and search through the minutia looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack that can take lead to a breakthrough and competitive edge.

In the pursuit of quality, high achievers bring a methodical, pragmatic and demanding approach to work. And, because these individuals only want to produce the best results, their personal standards are uncompromising.

In their pursuit of perfection, they pay rigorous attention to detail, expect greatness, and consistently deliver superior results. In their efforts to perform at the top of the game, they show no mercy to themselves or others. They understand that quality is a competitive weapon, and they use it with great authority.

The goal is simple: make your own and your organization’s name synonymous with quality. Strive to render ever more perfection to the form and function of your work.

Ensure that each and every aspect of your work receives a finishing touch. The final attention to detail must be given to the polish. Every single facet of quality must be polished and buffed in such a way that the end result exceeds all customer expectations.

I’ve saved the best part for last; a commitment to quality means never having to say you’re sorry!