You need to know about the two common quality methods Quality control Quality control Quality assurance Quality assurance You are likely to be asked which one would be best and why. Most likely you will have a case study and have to apply your answer to the type of business described

Firstly you must consider the importance of quality to a business and what might happen to a business if they do not control their quality Lose customers – less profit Lose customers – less profit Can not charge high price Can not charge high price Competitors take their customers Competitors take their customers High waste and reworking costs High waste and reworking costs Bad reputation Bad reputation Could break the law!!!!!!! Could break the law!!!!!!!

Quality Control A quality controller will check a sample of products made at the end of production. A quality controller will check a sample of products made at the end of production. If faulty they are reworked which is costly in time and wasted materials If faulty they are reworked which is costly in time and wasted materials Sometimes poor quality products will reach the consumer Sometimes poor quality products will reach the consumer May be suitable when producing very simple goods – eg paper clips May be suitable when producing very simple goods – eg paper clips

Quality Management Assurance Every employee is responsible for quality. Every employee is responsible for quality. Goods are checked at every stage of production to reduce waste and costs Goods are checked at every stage of production to reduce waste and costs Quality is the aim for all staff Quality is the aim for all staff However you do have to train staff However you do have to train staff

QUALITY STANDARDS some businesses try to gain certain quality standards for their products to prove they are made to a specific standard The British standards Institute draws up standards for a wide range of products eg beds, nails etc The British toy and Hobby Association grants a Lion mark for approved toys The Electrotechnical Approvals Board tests and approves electrical products

English Tourist Board English Tourist Board Electrical products Electrical products Fairtrade Fairtrade BSI Kitemark for businesses BSI Kitemark for businesses Quality marks for eggs Quality marks for eggs To understand the nature of quality control & quality assurance

Benefits of acquiring quality standards? Better reputation = word of mouth sales / repeat purchase Better reputation = word of mouth sales / repeat purchase Image = higher demand for product Image = higher demand for product Premium Price = higher profit margin Premium Price = higher profit margin Cover legal requirements = less chance of fines Cover legal requirements = less chance of fines USP = differentiates product USP = differentiates product