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FROM THE CHAIR Scott Berman
August 2008 It's Who You Know and What You Know
Quality Professionals, I would like to welcome you to another year of Austin Section 1414 of the American Society for Quality. Your volunteer and elected officers and their chairs have been hard at work this summer preparing for another quality year. I would like to dedicate this year to the thought that “it’s who you know and what you know”. You are probably asking what does this mean, and how does it relate to quality and our section? In today's turbulent times, with all of the economic uncertainties, it’s more important than ever to stay at the top of our game. Not only do we have to be current and at the top in the quality field, but we have to advance the human side of the equation as well. How can we achieve this? By our dedication to continuing education and networking, we can generate the greatest connections to professional circles. In other words, “it’s who you know and what you know”. As your local ASQ section, we can provide assistance toward this objective. Throughout the year we provide two low cost educational events. These events not only help keep you up on current quality topics but also earn RU’s or CEU’s to help you maintain your quality certifications. Additionally our section membership meets nine times a year. Each meeting begins with an hour of networking and refreshments. Networking is critical to your career development and continued professional success. You never know who you will meet, what you can learn, or how you can exchange support. Developing your professional currency in the quality arena is paramount. That combined with honed knowledge and skills will prepare you for the adaptation necessary to survive today’s corporate jungle. Under our current economic conditions of rapid structural change, professionals must leverage their own personal networks, rather than relying on unstable, weakening "org charts." We are empowered only if we are successful at creating and maintaining professional networks, inside and outside the quality arena. The work of networking is a kind of "invisible work," not accounted for in workflow diagrams or performance evaluations, but none the less essential to providing the interaction necessary to professional growth and development. The idea of "networking" is, of course, not new. But it is more important today than ever! It was Winston Churchill who said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give!” To continue to provide the quality presentations, educational courses, intelligent quality discourse and of course refreshments, we desperately need your help. The ASQ program “Each One Reach One” is an opportunity for you to invite other quality professionals to join our organization and revitalize our section with new members. Almost half of all new members who join ASQ are from the “Each One Reach One” program, bringing new ideas, new perspectives and new contacts to our organization. The value of your ASQ membership is what you make of it. Your section leadership is committed to helping you get the most out of your membership by providing interesting, informative and valuable meetings and events to you, our members. Take advantage of all of it. Remember, “it’s who you know and what you know”. Let us know how we can help.
See you at our next meeting!
Scott Berman Chair ASQ Section 1414
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