Career is "Kerja Yang Berjaya"

Laboratory personnel significantly effects the quality of any testing. Job security by means of career growth may offer better stability of laboratory work force. Career in Malay language is "Kerjaya", which I view as a combination of two words Kerja (Job) yang Berjaya (Successful). It also illustrates important characters to be displayed by laboratory personnel as pre-requisites to gain job security from laboratory management.

K is for "Kuat" means Strong; physical (PQ), intelligent (IQ), emotional (EQ) and social (SQ) qualities
E is for "Emas" means Gold; embraces work practices of gold standards
R is for "Rajin" means Assiduous; work diligently and persevere challenges
J is for "Jimat" means Cost-Conscious; prudent spending of resources
A is for "Amanah" means Trustworthy; dependable to execute authorities
Y is for "Yakin" means Confident; show ability to perform responsibilities
A is for "Aspirasi" means Aspire; moving forward higher quality goals

"Six Million Dollar Man"

An investor may spent $6 million in setting up a chemical testing laboratory, cost covering its building, equipment, environmental monitoring system, utility and supplies. However without a registered chemist, the laboratory may not acquire international accreditation (ISO/IEC 17025) essential to assure competency to its customer and stakeholders. The registered chemist is an asset and liability for the continuity of the $6 million chemical testing business. Hence, a tip to laboratory management; do allocate adequate portion of the $6 million take care the career path of your key personnel especially those signing your test reports and establish contingency plan for replacement chemist to safeguard your business interest.

Pelabur boleh membelanjakan $6 juta untuk menubuhkan satu makmal pengujian kimia, meliputi kos bangunan, alatan, system pemantauan persekitaran, utility dan bekalan. Namun begitu, tanpa seorang ahi kimia berdaftar, makmal tersebut tidak akan memperolehi akreditasi antarabangsa (ISO/IEC 17025) yang mustahak to menjamin kompetensinya kepada pelanggan dan pihak yang berkepentingan. Ahli kimia berdaftar tersebut adalah satu aset dan liabiliti kepada kesenambungan perniagaan pengujian kimia yang bernilai $6 juta. Justeru, satu tip kepada pengurusan makmal; bajetkan dengan mencukupi sebahagian daripada $6 juta tersebut untuk menjaga perkembangan kerjaya kakitangan yang penting khususnya mereka yang menandatangan laporan ujian dan wujudkan pelan kontijensi bagi penggantian ahli kimia tersebut untuk melindungi kepentingan perniagaan anda. 

Being At The Same Height Worldwide

The International Standard Weight (Mass) Used to Calibrate National Standard Mass Worldwide at BIPM, France. Without BIPM initiatives, the mass of 1 kg of sugar in Malaysia may differ with 1 kg of sugar in Japan. Imagine the length of 1 meter not standardized worldwide, you height would vary between countries :-) Traceability to SI units is fundamental of world economy, thus another important tips is to make sure your production measurement devices are calibrated by accredited laboratory.

Pemberat (Jisim) Piawai Antarabangsa yang Pernah Digunakan untuk Kalibrasi Jisim Piawai Kebangsaan Seluruh Dunia di BIPM, Perancis. Tanpa usaha BIPM, 1 kg gula di Malaysia mungkin berbeza jisimnya dengan 1 kg gula di Jepun. Bayangkan panjang 1 meter tidak dikalibrasi diperingkat dunia, tinggi anda akan berbeza mengikut negara :-) Kebolehan untuk menjejak sukatan kepada unit SI adalah asas ekonomi dunia, justeru satu lagi petua yang mustahak adalah memastikan alat pengukuran yang digunakan semasa pengeluaran produk telah dikalibrasi (ditentu-ukur oleh makmal bertauliah).

The "Battles on Quality" at Meeting Room

Quality, perhaps is one of the words that have many versions of definition, occasionally vary greatly due to the fact there are numerous factors significantly influence a person perspective, e.g. age, memory, sensory, knowledge, social status, culture, faith, income, emotion, event and many more. The good part is everyone globally recognize quality and appreciates it, although it is negotiable. 

Perhaps, this is the reason for the mouthful definition given by the international organization ISO in its document ISO 9000: 2000 (Quality Management Systems -- Fundamentals and vocabulary); "Degree to which a set of inherent characteristics of a product, process or system fulfills requirements (need or expectation that is stated, generally implied or obligatory)" The word product here covers goods and services.

Thus, the utmost tip in implementing any quality systems, please ensure everyone in your organization, your stakeholders and your clients accept a standardized definition of quality. This is very important so that everyone is on the same page during any discussions or meetings to move forward on quality related matters.