Managing the shift to a productivity and quality culture

Managers can exploit the similarities of culture management and efforts to improve productivity and quality because they both rely on values and traditions. Both are continuous, valve-driven processes requiring daily monitoring and evaluation. And both demand strong effective leadership and commitment from all employees. We must shift from organizations that strive for productivity and quality in their final products and services to organizations that value productivity and quality as part of their culture and build these into their processes. Organizations need to adopt the values and traditions surrounding good productivity and quality so productivity and quality become the norm--the core supporting daily decisions. A strong, supportive culture guides decision making at lower levels in the organization by clearly communicating the expectations. Work can then proceed with fewer interruptions, with workers becoming empowered, and with managers having more time to manage. We offer several approaches and techniques for achieving a productivity and quality culture. They are (1) continuously improve productivity and quality, (2) build productivity and quality into your culture, (3) collect culture change evidence, (4) link your efforts to a comprehensive plan, and (5) build strong, effective leadership. Consistent application of these approaches and techniques will help managers forge newmore » cultures that value productivity and quality and work for continuous improvement. 8 refs.« less