OUTLOOK — By Abdulaziz Al Jahdhami — Life is usually an error-making and an error-correcting process, but care should be taken to ensure that the quality and efficiency is sustained during this process. However, nowadays little attention is accorded to ensure quality at workplaces in many fields as priority is given to quantity rather than quality. Even though quality cannot be defined, you know what it is. It can be defined in different ways depending on the context.
There is an ongoing battle everywhere between the quality and quantity of work produced by employees in many places all over the world. It is a global issue, I believe! In many cases preference is given to quantity rather than quality — thus having a negative impact on the production. Employees’ output can be of great harm to organisations where the level of quality and quantity is ill-balanced.
People, especially those in leading positions, should not sacrifice quality of work in their organisations as they will be operating backward and wasting their time and efforts. It is also possible that the employees will lose their potential in the process. Bosses sometimes tend to prefer quantity at work just to serve their personal needs and desires. One must not allow this to happen!
A manager, for example, always commends an employee for the multiple tasks he has done with less quality comparing it to another job of quality prepared by another hardworking employee. The first employee has strived to satisfy his boss with only the quantity of tasks he is doing while ignoring the quality of work. Contrary to his the second one has given priority to the quality in his work rather than quantity. In such cases, the boss is the only judge on what kind of work he should accept — either quality work or quantity.
Definitely, the situation is likely to take on very competitive among employees to please their boss, thus sometimes they sacrifice the quality in whatever they do. However, giving priority to quantity rather than quality will discourage employees who always spare no efforts to produce work of high quality.
Accordingly, this unfair judgement and liking will reflect badly on the employees’ interest and motivation towards the work they do. People should take into consideration the fact that the quality of any organisation can never exceed the quality of the minds that make it up.
From another angle, when it comes to business for instance, what brings in more value to your business — quantity or quality? Which one is better for your business? Would you prefer to have lots of one-time customers or clients? Or do you think your business would be more successful if you attract fewer clients who are dedicated to doing business with you repeatedly?
Just ask yourself, which is more important to you, quantity or quality? In fact, for quality in any work one should associate oneself with people of good quality. It is better to be alone than in bad company.
Quality should be always the core factor of evaluating performance and output of employees or organisations. Quantity should be given second priority in a bid to get excellent products or performance from employees. It was Aristotle who said: “Quality is not an act; it is a habit”.
For that reason, the real quality of things begins on the inside of people and then works its way out as it will be reflected in their activities and behaviour. Thus, people should believe in quality as it doesn’t happen accidentally; it is always a result of high intention, sincere efforts, intelligent direction and skilful implementation. It also represents the wise choice of things among many alternatives.
Let the quality vs quantity battle end; your employees will thank you and will try hard to do their best. People should not allow quantity to overtake quality in their work. Just remember that when you are out of quality, you are out of business. One of the effective ways to ensure quality at work is the direct observation of managers with regard to their employees. Also give-and-take policy between employees and leading personalities in any organisation could be a constructive and encouraging way to maintain co-operation and a positive competitive environment at work.
