Quality - Supply Chain Prospective
The biggest cost of poor quality?is when your customer buys it from someone else?because they didn't like yours.
To succeed in business, you must meet?your customers' expectations?for quality products and services.?That requires an understanding of quality?throughout your supply chain,?not just your company's view of quality?but also an understanding of how your customers?and your suppliers view quality.?
First, let's talk about your customers.?Your customer expects you to do?exactly what you agreed to do, no exceptions.?Meet this exception and your customer?will view you as a quality supplier?and will return for more business.?Simply put, don't give your customer?something to complain about.?Make good products, deliver them on time?to the right place in the right amount.?And of course, make sure you're charging a fair price.?
But what about your suppliers??How do they view quality??Your supplier is looking for several things from you.?Most importantly, they want a clear understanding?of your expectations.
For example, your contract should specifically state?your product and service needs.?Suppliers have to know your exceptions?in order to meet them.?Your suppliers also want a reasonable amount of time?to fill your order.?and prevent stress on your supplier's factory.?
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Plus, your suppliers want you to be?easy to do business with.?Their view of quality includes efficient?and streamlined processes.?
For example, make the bidding process for your contracts?as simple as possible.?And, they want support when they need it.?When problems arise, both teams should work together?to find a solution.
Toyota serves as a classic example.?They're renowned for sending engineering teams?to a supplier's factory to help solve a production problem.?
Do these four things and your suppliers?will view you as a quality customer?and a key partner.?They'll want to do business with you.?
Notice that most companies play both roles?in this business relationship.?You're a supplier to your customers?and a customer to your suppliers.?An effective quality management program?keeps an eye on both of these perspectives.?