Strategic Plan Analysis

Strategic Plan Analysis

Top Quality Management is a management philosophy that transformed the products and processes of most companies. TQM pays constant attention to the needs of the customer and requires a continuing process of gathering relevant information and data. TQM assumes that most of an organization's problems are due to flawed processes, not shortcomings of employees. Ultimately, TQM aims at the organization's continuous improvement that exceeds the expectations of the customer or client.

Total quality management has become a necessity in today's society amongst businesses and consumers. Organization and consumers believe that quality is very important, and it will make or break an organization. Ensuring quality in products helps eliminate liability that would come from defective products, and it increases the rate of the returning consumer. Companies are liable if their products were made poorly, and if they cause a disaster from the use of their products. They define total quality management as a business management methodology that aligns the activities of all employees in an organization with the common focus of customer satisfaction. It must be achieved through continuous improvement in the quality of all activities processes, goods and services (Achieving Quality through Continuous Improvement, 1998).

Wikipedia defines total quality management as a management strategy aimed at embedding awareness or quality in all organizational processes. TQM has been widely used in manufacturing, education, government and service industries, as well as NASA space and science programs. Total Quality provides an umbrella under which everyone in the organization can strive and create customer satisfaction. Total Quality is a people focused management system that aims at continual increase in customer satisfaction at continually lower real costs (Total Quality Management, 2006). Total Quality Management is the philosophy of managing organizations with a set of tools, policies and procedures that ensure quality production, or services. Total Quality Management is the future of management philosophies.

For instance, Southern Wine and Spirits is a distributor of spirits and wines. There are expectations and responsibilities that go into the organization. It follows the TQM philosophy. The company that will be compared with Southern's management style is ABC Liquors. ABC Liquors has adopted the TQM management style, and they place customers first.

Management Style Comparisons

Southern Wine and Spirits is a very professional organization. They have an intense hiring process, and requires the applicants to be of the highest standards. They believe in utilizing total quality principles. Due to this, most workers have to maintain certificates, and go through numerous hours of training, and re-training. They are required to pass some skills and knowledge exams with 100% accuracy. Plus, they have to be able to respond to any call that is given. The policies and procedures set standards for them to adhere to. The policies and procedures help guide them with procedures to most of the common calls that must be responded to. They respond to many calls, where Southern relies on training and experience to get them through the end of the call.

ABC Liquors is committed to excellence, and the management style they have condones it. They provide great service and products at affordable prices. They strive to satisfy the customer. According to ABC Liquors, the corporate culture is one of the biggest contributing factors that make it one of the world's most admired companies. When the company was founded, a belief system was put into place as it still is today. From the three basic beliefs to the sundown rule, ABC Liquors respects their customers, associates and suppliers, and they strive to treat them as they want to be treated especially in building and nurturing the internal and external relationships, as well as serving the communities where they are. ABC Liquors has helped build a better business committed to excellence (The ABC Liquor Response, 2006). ABC Liquors has a commitment to excellence, and strive to serve the public the best they can. The philosophy of treating others the way as a person would like to be treated is a mutual belief. ABC Liquors and Southern Wine and Spirits share the same attitude towards the people they serve.

Characteristics of TQM

Southern Wine and Spirits TQM characteristics are explained through their three basic beliefs, which are respect of the individual, service to the customers, and to strive for excellence. They feel that the people make a difference, so they are committed to the consumers. The consumers are ultimately what will make or break the company, so they strive to offer quality products at reasonable prices. Southern also strives for excellence with new ideas and goals to help make their self more successful than ever before.

Again, Southern shares some of the same characteristics that ABC Liquors have. They are committed to providing the peace and security in their area of responsibility. They are committed to excellence and efficiency in services and in work. Plus, they hold their self to a high level of standard in order to provide the best level of service. Serving the public to the highest level, and striving to keep themselves ethical and morale ensures a professional level of service. They strive