UPSIDE DOWN EXCELLENCE

Quality that's simple

Hey Reader

My Vision for Quality

To instill quality ideals so deeply into organizations that compliance and improvement become effortless.

Now, you might say:

“Mike, that’s a nice vision statement, but come back to the real world. That’ll never happen!”

To which I ask—why not?

The hard truth is this: when quality is done right, it disappears. It’s no longer a separate department, a compliance headache, or a checkbox. It becomes one with the business. Every process, every decision, every outcome—done right the first time.

And yes, it can be done.

Imagine a Company Like This:

Sales follows a documented process to qualify the right leads, and aim for success for the whole company (not just the easy sale). Compliance checks are built in the process, ensuring quotes capture all aspects of making the part.

HR makes sure the entire company fully staffed with competent, committed people. Hiring practices have legal requirements integrated into the process, making compliance effortless. HR makes sure growth is encouraged, learning is continuous, and every employee knows their impact on success. Employee growth isn’t optional, it’s expected.

IT protects sensitive info with systems that are simple to use. Policies are documented, trained, and right embedded where they’re needed, not buried in binders. For example - sales-related IT requirements are in the sales work instructions.

Shipping has clear, easily accessed information about how each customer wants their shipments, available at the click of a button. Shipments are staged, scheduled, and delivered on time and with confidence they are correct.

Production (ahh yes, everyone’s favorite) They are supported at every step. Machines are maintained to prevent delays. Schedules give enough time to make AND validate parts. When problems occur, production has clear guidelines: what to do, who to contact, and when to switch jobs. Issues are solved at the source. And because the team feels supported, they have no problem owning their results.

Underscoring all of these departments is the same mindset:

• Ownership of their process
• Accountability for their results
• Pride in their work
• Admitting mistakes
• Cataloging issues
• Proactively addressing problems

That’s my vision. A company where quality is invisible—because it’s everywhere.

Here’s the Challenge

Where are you stuck right now?

I’m serious—reply and tell me. Because I’ve decided to build a free, small community where we’ll help each other get unstuck.

I tried doing this as a paid program, but I’d rather just help people who are serious about making quality simpler. Spots will be limited so I can personalize the support. We’ll build it together.

👉 If you want in, hit reply and send me an email.

As promised, one thing to help you right now:

Good advice is timeless and often repeated:

• Stephen Covey: Begin with the end in mind.
• Joseph Juran: Quality planning begins with the customer’s needs.

No matter what process you’re building or simplifying, ask:

Who are the customers of this process, and what do they need?

Then, build the process to make that happen, every time, as easily as possible.

Anything that doesn’t serve that? Cut it.

This Is Where I’m Going:

This is my vision for quality. A world where it’s not a department, not a box to check—just the way business is done.

Will you help me get there?

​