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ITC SIG Liaison Report |
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In April, 2002 Tom Mosgaller, President of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), addressed the Second Gulf International Quality Conference in Bahrain. Mosgaller referred to the early global connections resulting from trade that originated in the very location of the conference. A mixing of cultures flourished, on account of three factors: a driving force, trade; a common language, that of trade; and major centers between which trade occurred, the earliest cities. Each succeeding age contributed unique influences to culture, and so quality professionals can contribute uniquely. Today we may hope to leave the world a better place, and are well set to do so. Mosgaller points out we have unique abilities to apply, including a strong motivation to make things better, a universal language of quality and standardization, and focal points such as quality conferences. The culture and profession of quality have evolved from inspection, to assurance, to prevention, to quality by design. Influences from other fields have contributed, and participation by quality professionals in the wider community follows. Quality professionals collaborate worldwide, as in the Quest Forum of the telecommunications industry, through which suppliers share best practices. As director of organization development for Madison, Wisconsin, Mosgaller assisted the City of Wollongong, Australia with implementation of its quality program. More generally, Mosgaller points out, quality professionals have much to contribute in today's challenging environment to making aspects of our lives and our work more predictable, reliable, and safe. Quality by its nature supports goals like sustainable development, and can help foster open and vibrant societies, as quality professionals contribute to the community at all levels. Today the mixing of cultures occurs by cross-fertilization of ideas and Mosgaller encourages quality professionals to be fully engaged in this global interchange. |
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About the Author: Ann L. Wiley, STC Associate Fellow - Rochester Chapter, is president of Ann L. Wiley Consultants Inc. and specializes in design, development, and evaluation of processes and the communications needed to deploy them. |