Quality control or “QC” is the set of procedures set in place to ensure that a performed service or manufactured product complies with a set of pre-determined quality criteria which meets the requirements of the customer. Quality control also helps create a more efficient business with higher productivity and less waste. Here are some areas to consider when thinking about to what extent you want to adopt quality control:
Competitiveness
Offering customers a product of high quality is a strong competitive advantage. Being able to offer a product with such high standards that competitors cannot compete with gives you the opportunity to charge a premium price. This can open new business opportunities in market sectors in which quality is central.
Customer Loyalty
Providing quality products will increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, satisfied customers will have more confidence that the next product you offer will be of similar quality. Hence if they viewed your product as reliable, high quality and good value for money it will increase the likelihood of them buying from you again. A satisfied customer may also recommend your product to others.
Reputation
Quality makes an imperative contribution to the reputation of your company, the growth of social media is a particularly important part of this. Customers want to share their views of a particular product, service or experience and there are always new emerging ways for them to do this, for example forums. Positive reviews and comments will reinforce your marketing efforts; word of mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools as it is seen as more valid and truthful than a company promoting their own product. However problems with quality can be severely damaging to your reputation if the word then spreads, major problems may also attract attention from the media which causes more damage.
Compliance
Complying with the recognised quality standards could be essential for carrying out business with a certain group of customers. If you are part of a supply chain the lead manufacturer could impose quality standards on all members of the chain in order to keep consistency. If you are operating in a sector which is regulated you will have to comply with the quality standards set by the industry.
Costs
Quality control can reduce production costs, it can lower levels of waste and improve productivity and production efficiency. Supplying a product of high quality and usability will also reduce the number of returns you have to handle/refund.