My 2015 goes to Quality; what’s your plan buddy?

"Quality means doing it right when no one is looking- Henry Ford"

Bring Quality into everything you say, do and act!

We all like to save. Time, money, effort, all of it! The world of online retail is the best example of how the once traditional mind-set of shopping is dramatically evolving (Read: moving) towards the urge to go out there and take chances with what you want to have (and save, ofcourse). Corporate life is not the same. There is no “Return or exchange policy” and there aren’t fifty vendors supplying the same product.

That’s why I’ve always believed, we are unique. We ALL are, truly!

Your career is a result of the experiences, education and achievements that make you, the best fit to execute responsibilities in your job. You are the best person, who could finish an assignment in the best possible way. Yes, that’s true. Your output becomes crucial when put together with your team’s individual contributions, paving the way for a great product or service to be delivered. It’s like the nuts and bolts in a machine, where even a minor loose piece creates undesirable sounds and brings down the speed & efficiency of the machine.

Unlike shopping, corporate life is different. There’s no going back, there are no returns, but only learning for future!

Quality starts with you, right here !

Consider this: The next time you send out that email, ask yourself if the intent of the email is clear? Is it unambiguous, simple-to-understand in terms of who, what, when? When you send out that ‘make-it-or-break-it’ client presentation, verify if the colours, contents and the message are coming out absolutely clearly? Maybe including a PDF copy of the same presentation would do wonders. Try it, it works! When you send out that complex financial analysis in an excel file, ensure to provide a helpful guide for the reader to navigate between different sets of information. It saves time, effort, hassle and most importantly, helps you get your due recognition.

Let’s take a different example: Have you ever wondered what really differentiates a leader from a follower at your workplace? Ask yourself, think harder maybe. Now question yourself if you can better support your leader and consciously prepare to be in their shoes someday? Sounds exciting, well, maybe? So, the next time you prepare something for your leader, ask diligently, “Where-Why-How”?

1. Where - is my leader going to meet his audience? The place, the occasion, the audience and the environment. Visualize it, clearly!
2. Why - is my leader chosen or choosing to present his views? What makes them the right person to express their thoughts & ideas? What connects them, personally or professionally, to the discussion at hand?
3. How - are they going to make the best impact on the audience in the shortest of time possible? How can your homework help them make an impact and deliver a stellar performance?

Most of the times, we start working on a task without answering these basic questions. This applies to all the work we do, whether personal or professional. Think like YOU are the leader. Imagine YOURSELF in the place of that leader, Act like YOU are going to that podium, delivering that keynote and answering those tough questions. The day you bring in those thoughts, you work will raise the bar of quality higher, every single time.

It only takes that extra notch of effort and sincerity; however, for your stakeholders, it means the world. Trust me, your success hugely depends on how dependable is your output and how seriously you take quality in everything you say, do and act.

I am going to believe that 2015 will bring out the best in me. Whatever I wear, speak, communicate, act (and react) will work consciously towards Quality, because it is the most important investment I can ever make.

So, what’s your plan buddy?