And the award for Unsung Hero goes to...

In the grand circus of business operations, one department stands out as the unsung hero, its work often going unnoticed and unrecognised. Individuals may only visit when they join or leave the company, or become lost. It is a department - dare I say it - a bit unloved.

But it is a function that has a huge impact on the Quality Management System (QMS) and your organisation's ability to deliver.

And that department is none other than...

....Human Resources.

Ah, I can almost hear the distant sound of individuals spewing their coffee into their phones as they read this. But fear not, my friends, for HR truly are key players. However, as a Quality professional, how often have you sat down and discussed how HR can help your QMS and Quality organisation run like a well-oiled machine? Probably never.

But HR plays a key role in building your QMS. And one area is attracting talent. HR should - and can be - your trusted ally in ensuring your Quality organisation attracts the best people and presents Quality as a rewarding and fulfilling career. Which it is.

Look, we all know quality management plays a vital role in ensuring that products and services meet or exceed customer expectations. Yet, attracting talented individuals to pursue a career in quality management can be well, a challenge.

To address this challenge, let me share five compelling ways to collaborate with your HR partner and inspire people to consider a career in quality management, with all its free access to spreadsheets, highlighter pens and sticky-notes:

1. Highlight the Impact: Emphasise how a career in quality management can make a significant impact on organisations and even society as a whole. Look, quality saves lives. Period. Showcase success stories and the positive outcomes achieved through effective quality management, allowing prospective candidates to see how their contributions can make a tangible difference to people's lives.
2. Emphasise Continuous Learning and Growth: Highlight the continuous learning opportunities and professional growth prospects in quality management. No other area offers the potential to engage and grow as an individual. Mark my words.
3. Showcase the Collaborative Nature: Emphasise the collaborative nature of quality management, which involves working closely with all departments within the organisation. Highlight the opportunity to interact with diverse professionals, engage in problem-solving, and foster a culture of quality improvement. Great quality practitioners love people and numbers.
4. Offer Challenging Projects: It is an opportunity to give individuals stimulating and complex projects that allow them to apply their problem-solving skills. Projects involving quality improvement initiatives, process optimisation, and the implementation of quality standards can showcase the exciting and intellectually stimulating aspects of quality management. Highlight the potential to make a real impact on the organisation's success.
5. Foster a Positive Working Culture: Quality helps create a supportive and encouraging work environment that values innovation, recognises achievements, and encourages work-life balance. Quality management requires attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective change management. By promoting open communication, empowering employees, and providing a platform for sharing ideas and feedback, Quality organisations play a key role in establishing an rewarding workplace culture.

Attracting individuals to consider a career in quality management requires a strategic approach, one that highlights the impact, continuous learning opportunities, collaborative nature, challenging projects, and positive work culture associated with the role. And at times it needs some professional help.

By partnering with HR, you can inspire and engage potential candidates, ultimately building a talented workforce dedicated to improving quality standards and driving organisational success. If you don't put some effort in finding the best candidates they are going to go somewhere else they consider sexier and more exciting - so be warned.

So go ahead, book a cosy chat with your HR partner and unlock their potential to improve your Quality organisation. They really are quite nice people.

Best regards

matt

Want an in-depth assessment of your QMS and ways to improve ? Get in touch.