Blogs

Join the Customer-Supplier Division for a topic-based virtual discussion each month on the Third Thursday at 3:00 pm Eastern/12:00 pm Pacific. Hosted by Pam Carvell and Shawn Armstrong Get ready for a year of exciting discussions, valuable insights, and unparalleled networking opportunities! Starting January 15, 2026, we’ll continue hosting a series of sessions that will dive deep into the latest supplier (and customer)-related topics — and we want YOU to be part of it! Imagine connecting with like-minded professionals, sharing ideas, and enjoying great conversations — all over your favorite coffee or beverage. Whether you’re looking to solve ...

Hi ASQ community, I’m looking for passionate members to share insights, case studies, or innovations at the Customer & Supplier Division (CSD) webinar serie s. CSD activities focus on strengthening the vital connection between customers, suppliers, and quality. I am seeking speakers on topics such as: Supplier quality and performance management Voice of the Customer (VoC) and customer experience Risk-based thinking and continuous improvement Collaboration across the supply chain Data analytics, AI, and digital transformation in quality Lessons learned and real-world success stories Webinar Format: 30-45 minutes ...

Don't Miss our Customer-Supplier Sponsored Session at WCQI Score your Resilience to Design a Robust Supply Chain Wednesday, May 15, 2024 • San Diego, CA 9:30am-10:15am Presented by: Russell Snyder, Intel - Retired Area of Focus: Shaping Processes Session Level: Intermediate I worked in the semiconductor supply chain for 23 years. The only certainty was that both supply and demand were uncertain. Risks were never fully understood no matter how in depth the qualification was or the risk audit was. Even before the pandemic we faced some dramatic supply/demand mismatches. Some involved not understanding the customer and some involved not understanding ...

In the c onventional sense the 5S-Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. In the covid era, the 6 th S-Safety became very significant. This applies to the Customer Supply chain processes. We have a nice break from the monotony of quarantine(s). Marie Kondo, organizer, author, TV host , and creator of the KonMari Method , has an idea for how we can put that time inside to good use. Throughout quarantine, many of us have turned to online classes for much-needed stimulation. “People were spending more time than ever at home, so this course was an opportunity ...

Supply Chain Quality faces significant challenges, including: 1. Supplier Reliability - Using multiple suppliers for one product can lead to variations in quality if the suppliers differ in their commitment to quality standards. 2. Communication Gaps - Ineffective communication between suppliers and customers may impact product quality and delivery. 3. Globalization Issues - Managing quality across international borders introduces risk related to regulatory compliance, cultural differences, and logistics. 4. Supply Chain Disruptions - Unanticipated events like natural disasters or geopolitical issues can disrupt the supply chain, impacting on time delivery ...

I worked in an industry where strong customer-supplier relationships are a necessity. Our customers assigned us SQEs to help us meet the stringent requirements they placed upon us. Not all interactions were positive. SQE-1 was a tyrant, but put it bluntly. He treated us like servants, instead of partners, sometimes requiring calls at odd hours. Any glitch at all and we would cringe, knowing it would generate a stream of shouting and accusations. He viewed our motivations with suspicion. SQE-2 couldn’t have been more different. Problems were always met with “How can I help?” Our interactions were transparent and trusting. Working with her was a joy, and we ...