Quality, the meaning of

Many things we call 'quality' is actually not in a product but in the nature (guna) of us that makes all product. Product quality or quality of work are indicators or indirect references of ones' nature. To me, the Bhagwat Gita is only source of the fundamental knowledge of the quality. A seed of lemon planted in soil cannot bear fruits of mango, irrespective of the water and fertiliser applied. Similarly, human nature can not be corrected by external forces but only by self conviction.

Quality is, therefore inherent property of the doer, that gets reflected in features of its every work and product. A cow really has no choices except to give only milk and never needed any defenses, and snake although without assets and yet, can never leave its defense. Similarly, behavior, quality of product and of the organization are just by-products of the inner nature or the karta purush (the doer).

4 Definitions of Quality
Quality means different things to different people depending upon their upbringings, and purpose and environment of work. These meanings are not universal and is defined by perspective from the point of view ones looks at.

1. Engineers' Quality (or Product Quality)
Many people think quality as property of a product. They think "Quality as Meeting Specification" For example this is very common in engineers, chemists, lawyers and all those involved in re-production or operations. They do things what they are ordered to, and have no choices.In Sanskrit, this is TAM GUNA, (shoodra) or those with a limited perspective or, an specialist activity. In absence of changes in perspective, it turns out to be a disease of specialization, and businesses become victim of obsolescence .

2. Managers' Quality (or Market Quality)
But some people think Quality, not a property of product; because needs of customers differ and no specification of product can ever be universal. Choices of product for Bin Laden and Buddha differ. A non vegetarian food is highly appreciated by someone and not appreciated by another. Here Quality means, 'usefulness to', or What Meets Requirement of Customers. This defines product not as 'specification' but 'Success of an Agreement' i.e., supplier meeting requirement of customer, and customer meeting requirement of supplier.

As an alternative of wars, a state of compromise is, a basis of relationship between two enemies (contractors, parties of contract, who are of different points of view, and often with opposite interests) bound by an agreement. (Like in a war,) nobody in business, wants to give up so easily; and this spirit of resistance or unwillingness to give up is called 'price' (bhaav in Sanskrit). This is called property of businessman or Vaishya (or compromising, or agreeent based quality or RAJO GUNN.

Obviously, this fragile relationship needs a certain safeguards of Measurement (accountancy, finance etc) and Laws (quantum of punishments for fear if rules are violated). A network of mutual agreements is called Market. And in this way, market is a huge network of agreements spread across the world, secured by laws and measurement. And, quality in context of market is a framework of preventing conflicts between contractors (parties of contract). Market is certainly not a relationship of a mother and child where none counts how much one eats, but a hotel where you count every loaf of bread and cannot go without paying. Quality is, this aspects of cruel measurement; and the law in benefit of preventing a war between a seller and buyer.

Market is a war game with peaceful end. Agreement obviously, between two enemies is uneasy, and full of anxiety and competition. When two warriors sticking to their points of view, check very carefully each others' strength and weakness, to finally coming to an agreement. This is a 'compromise' or commerce, or agreement. For example, a seller and buyer of vegetable, the price and condition of sellers differ with that of buyer. Similarly, US India nuclear deal or WTO rounds.

The interests clash. Warriors live for war, and agreements, and competition, and success is a matter of how long promises are kept and how long one stays in war field. Like in any war or sports activity, those in market have their survival limited by their continued success in competition with others. Alexander the Great, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sacch, Harshad Mehta, etc are known to die in war or in the markets, because of one bad Quality or one failure of meeting agreement can be the end. The enemy is merciless. You can find own examples of bad Quality and murders in Market. In short, market is heaven with quality, and hell, in absence of quality.

3. Fulfilment Quality (or Total Quality)
Some people think Quality not even Meeting Customer Requirement but, Quality as work for joy, self satisfaction, celebration, experience of creation or self expression. Daimler was already a satisfied man who invented automobiles. A man or women doing things for his/her own pleasure gets fulfilment in creativity and in free sharing. Everyone in small village of Bavaria was excited with automobile. All were truly happy and were responsible in use of the gift of nature. Working, without expectation, is called self expression. In this paradigm, price in return or unwillingness to give up, becomes irrelevant. Spirit of creation is without limits, and therefore, any happiness of giving, is valued more than the returns and its measurement.

Japanese quality movement recognized it in their culture, and their principles of work have a root in joy, genuine respect for one another, happiness and fruit of work is delivered just as a by-product. In India, products or behaviours manifested by individuals is called Raj guna or dust or by-product of the self. In India, work culture in agriculture was treated as festivals. Sowing of seed, to replanting, and to harvesting and then offering the crop to the deity are interwoven in a calender of festivals like Pongal, Diwali, Holi and so on. Wok was not a war such as in industrial countries; but a worship and for inner joy and sharing of the common goodwill. Japanese way of quality is not about winning a competition, professionalism, controls and surveillance. In Japan, people before start of work sit at one place and prey, and so is also a practice in India. Normally, in Indian workplaces and in offices, pictures of deity is almost universal practice. By this way, cleanliness and purity and equality in people comes naturally.

People when demand unneeded things, they get into a vicious cycle. Need is a mother of invention, and demand or hunger is a mother of market. Hungry men and women are fuel of the market. With increase of demand, market of automobile grew and result is, death by vehicle accidents currently account for maximum death after heart attack. Accidents, disease and credit produces demand for more automobiles, more physicians, more health care and more insecurity. Markets have to continuously re-invent insecurity, scarcity and deprivation. Markets because it has no intent of making one satisfied; and instead, increased hunger (called demand) have spiralling effect. Japan is not a consumer society, and ideas of Zero Inventory/Just in Time, 5S Zero Waste, and KiZen/Zero Defect are obvious contribution from them. Credit card culture is less popular in Japan, people have sensitivity towards nature and environment, and every work is treated as worship, joy and teamwork rather than a war and competition and winning/loosing.

A creator cannot know price because happiness of giving is a very personal experience. He/she knew pain and pleasure of a pregnancy of an idea and his/her life is like a mother of all its products. Apple grower in small town of Himachal Pradesh in India can always give fruits free to visiting children and in offerings to the temples; but a merchant in Delhi cannot. This definition of Quality (self satisfaction) is indifferent of customer and is a natural fit of choice of work. This definition is, Quality of Self Expression. This is SATO GUNN or Kshatriya Quality. For example, scientists or artist or philosophers enjoy their work much more than their salary. Amitabh Bacchan is a great artist but failed in business. No one, really has a choice; and must know him/herself before started doing or learning things.

This is about thinking of purpose of ones' life, and doing what one like doing effortlessly, without destruction and without expectation. This 'self expression' in work including development of product or services is key to Quality.

4. Divine Quality (or Enlightenment Quality)
Some people think Quality not even a matter of demonstration or creating a need but, recognition of natural ability which exist equally in everyone, and none needs to have a demonstration. A relation between mother and child is indivisible and one can decide for another, and does not even ask. This definition of Quality is not individualistic but a holistic thinking, (sense of unity) and co-existence with free sharing, and commitment. For example, a mother and child are connected by love which is free of measurement, demonstration, of lawsand yet is most relaxing and enlightening. A family is a type of organization that no existing knowledge of Management can supersede. This is NirGUNN or free from any reaction or bias called Brahman quality.