„Scan the international environment“ 
 
Shan Ruprai, President of the Asia Pacific Quality Organization, APQO
 
 
 
Due to the economic conditions many international associations do feel the pressure to do “more for less”? How can they secure quality?
Times are tough due to the global financial situation and other issues that directly affect the quality of life, as well as quality of products and services. To secure quality, the quality profession it self needs to change and refocus, it needs to repackage quality to improve return on investment and quality of life for all stakeholders. Innovative integration of products and services provided by the international associations is crucial to improve quality management to provide better service with less cost.
 
International associations need to vigorously promote the repackaged quality for the 21st century to reap its benefits and add value, directly link business and strategic planning to performance management systems with similar KPIs that are underpinned by the innovative quality management initiatives.
 
 
What should international associations know about quality management?
Quality management is not just having a quality system based on ISO9001 certification etc.
 
True voice of quality satisfies the voice of customer.
 
International associations should scan the international environment, identify other associations practising quality management and research their roles, look at their own role in the international environment, develop a partnership blue print as appropriate, to enhance global quality management. Relationship and partnership strengthening is a positive way to enhance the global citizenship of quality management. Quality management must address end to end business requirements and start at the board room. Enhance additional quality management skills to deliver business outcomes.
 
 
What will be the top three issues in the program of the 18th Asia Pacific Quality Conference & 5th National Convention on Quality from 14 to 17 October 2012?
Discussing current and future issues of quality management and business improvement and to find solutions to these. There is something for everyone in this conference, however the top three are as follows:
 
• Business Excellence Strategies to Halt Challenges to Quality Management
• Cultural Transformation: Providing the Leading Edge in the Quality, Sustainable Economic Development & Business Excellence – Key Enablers
• Celebrating the sucess of the best in class international organizations through the APQO Global Performance Excellence Awards, the only international awards in the world. Acknowledging the excellence of individual global leaders through APQO individual awards.
 
 
Why did you choose Colombo as destination?
Sri Lanka is a Core Council member of APQO. Hosting of the international conference is available to all country members of APQO. APQO and Sri Lanka Association of Quality brings the world renowned modern Guru’s of quality and successful business executives under one roof, sharing their experiences and knowledge to add value to organizations and individuals in Sri Lanka. This is a once in a life time opportunity for Sri Lankan and other attendees to increase their knowledge, update their skills tool box, enhance their learning skills, top up their professional bank balance and form long lasting business friendships with world famous quality professionals.
 
Equally it is an opportunity for overseas attendees to have two bob each way, by combining business learning with quality time with their families and friends, by diving into the tropical island nation with a history dating back to the birth of time, a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and nature’s beauty remains in abundance and unspoilt by walking back into the history and rediscovering the glory of an ageless and timeless period.
 
 
What are the main challenges for the Asia Pacific Quality Organization nowadays?
To continously pursue our vision to be the universal prime mover in terms of continuously improving the quality not only of goods and services all over the world but also the quality of life of its people. Maintain and further improve leadership in the global quality environment. Successfully build partnerships with global organizations with similar values and outcomes. Expansion of the Global Performance Excellence Awards in other parts of the world to add value and celebrate success of best in class organisations and individuals.
 
 
The Asia Pacific Quality Organization (APQO) is an autonomous, non-political, non-profit, scientific and technical organization domiciled in an Asia Pacific region fixed by the Core Council, Asia Pacific includes countries in Asia and those located near the Pacific Rim. APQO's Vision is to be recognized as the universal prime mover in terms of continuously improving the quality not only of goods and services all over the world but also the quality of life of its people. w w w. apqo. org
 
The 18th Asia Pacific Quality Conference of Asia Pacific Quality Organization (APQO) will be held at the Hilton Hotel Colombo, Sri Lanka from 14-17 October 2012. It is organized by the Sri Lanka Association for Quality (SLAQ) in collaboration with Asia Pacific Quality Organization (APQO). http: //conference2012. quality. lk.