It is easy to kill total quality.

Make it a program,
instead of how we work here, our way of life in this organization.

Overload it with jargon,
instead of emphasizing basic principles.

Build large total quality staffs,
instead of relying on a very few key professionals.

Fail to train your people on team oriented, problem solving tools.

Forget to reward and recognize those who really improve quality.

Don’t expect the upper managers to change their ways, just demand that of everyone else.

When employees don’t respond well, invent a new program, the latest "flavor of the month."

If all that doesn’t work to kill total quality,
at the first sign of a financial crunch for the organization, do things and send signals so customer quality deteriorates.