ASQ Direction

I am disturbed by the focus I have been seeing recently from the ASQ.

For the past year now, Paul Borawski has been showcasing executive leader attitudes and perspectives on quality. He's done this quite nicely in his blog called View from the Q.

I appreciate the perspectives, but I have trouble seeing how our typical ASQ members can contribute to these attitudes and philosophies. Many of them are overloaded with twice the work they had before the Great Recession and fearful that they will join the ranks of the unemployed. Many are struggling with difficult suppliers here and abroad. They are trying to keep the regulators and registrars happy. When I hear Paul and other ASQ leaders say, "focus on the customer experience," I wonder how that resonates with the average ASQ member. It is almost like suggesting they help Greece figure out how to remove the burden of sovereign debt.

It seems to me that ASQ is trying to become a Society for Organization Leadership or an Association for Design Excellence.

I do not question the requirement for great leadership and excellent design. Steve Jobs applied these skills very successfully after he came back to Apple. I marvel at the sheer delight my friends express when they use the latest iThing. I enjoy the benefit I receive when Garmin Girl helps me find my hotel.

But how does that translate to value I can receive by spending my personal or company funds on ASQ membership? And why the focus on cars and airplanes?

“I’m part of the ASQ Influential Voices program. While I receive a variety of quality resources as honorarium from ASQ in exchange for my commitment, the thoughts and opinions expressed on my blog are my own.”