Quotes by W. Edwards Deming

Stamping out fires is a lot of fun, but it is only putting things back the way they were.


A company could put a top man at every position and be swallowed by a competitor with people only half as good, but who are working together.


The consumer is the most important point on the production-line.


No one can measure the loss of business that may arise from a defective item that goes out to a customer.


Motivation - nonsense. All that people need to know is why their work is important.


Best efforts are essential. Unfortunately, best efforts, people charging this way and that way without guidance of principles, can do a lot of damage.


Pay is not a motivator.


the system that people work in and the interaction with people may account for 90 or 95 percent of performance.


In God we trust, all others must bring data.


Improvement of Quality and Productivity, to be successful in any company, must be a learning process, year by year, top management leading the whole company.