That was a story goes like this…
There was a quality meeting in one big corporate. Due to the parts supplied by one of the suppliers, XYZ Company was not meeting requirements, the quality project manager, Mr. Q called a meeting to discuss this issue. Due to the quality issues had been happening since long ago, the boss of XYZ Company was summoned to attend the meeting. During the meeting, the boss, Mr. B. Boss did not present himself to the meeting, but instead there was another person.
Mr.Q asked the person: "Who are you?".
The guy answered: "I am Alec, from XYZ."
Mr.Q asked: "So, you are the manager of XYZ?"
Alec: "No. I am the office clerk."
Mr. Q stunned for a while, asked: "Where is Mr. B. Boss? Does he aware this is a meeting regarding the quality issue of your products?"
Alec: "My boss told me this is small issue, he will talk to your boss during dinner tonight and settle it."
Mr. Q left the meeting room, and left his resignation letter to his boss' table.
Anyway, that was just a story. Now, back to the news I recently read.
In January 2006, The new MD of Proton told the media that the quality issue is the company first to focus on now. After 20 years in the industry, now only they talk about quality. To be positive, it is never too late to improve the quality of Proton, they just have to work double hard.
How can Proton end up in this way? It was the pride of the nation. Malaysian put so much hopes and faith into Proton, and yet it is so disappointing. We can build up Sepang F1 circuit, but we don't see Proton team in F1 race.
I guess this is what we called "Corporate Complacent", they have been enjoying good life within a protected environment, no competitions at all. They just sit inside air-conditioned rooms because sales came to them easily. They believed all Malaysians only wanted Iswara and Wira. We all have bad experiences with Proton -- arrogant sales people, overpriced and low quality products.
When an old man never goes jogging but today this old man has to compete in marathon. What do you think?
With the newly appointed MD, we still sincerely hope that he can bring Proton back to ground. The road ahead for Proton will not be a joyride and it is definitely more than bumpy. From top to the bottom in Proton has to change the paradigm in their daily work. They must put quality as the first thing in mind.
People won't change until they are facing the critical moment -- do or die, that is the question.
