A Powerful Weapon

Asserts that unless everyone in the company is trained in TQM principles, the over‐zealous implementors of the programme could cause its downfall if they allow their claim to superior knowledge to be used as a tool for power. Exemplifies this. Points out the tendency for some people to use the quality improvement programme as an opportunity for gaining organisational influence and power. Contends that, whatever the approach, the quality programme will suffer if it becomes another bureaucracy controlled by a few people using the programme as a device for personal promotion or job security. Concludes that quality improvement starts with individual quality improvement.