Episode 44: Lessons From 30 Years of Quality Management with Steve Adams

Steve Adams brings decades of real manufacturing and quality experience to Quality Time with MoreSteam. A West Point graduate and former officer in the Army Corps of Engineers, Steve later spent thirty years at Procter & Gamble, eventually serving as a Global Quality Assurance Auditor. Along the way, Steve even got Deming’s autograph. Yes, the W. Edwards Deming! Host Dan Swartwout talks to Steve about solving problems and the commitment to quality. He drove improvement initiatives across plants worldwide and brings real stories from the plant floor, including lessons in continuous improvement, problem solving, and quality leadership. And one more thing… you’ll never guess what classic TV show is referenced in this episode.

After the interview, Dan shares the audio from a recent episode of MoreSteam’s Street Stats YouTube series. Street Stats focuses on making business statistics useful and practical. After you’re done listening to this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam, go check out more Street Stats!

In this episode, you will hear about:

1:40 - Steve's background

2:27 - Going to Proctor & Gamble

3:41 - Steve's role in the Total Quality Movement

4:37 - Analytical problem solving

6:45 - Centerlines in manufacturing

12:22 - Meeting W. Edwards Deming

14:21 - Deming's 14 Points

15:40 - Quality products require quality components

16:52 - Steve's time as a consultant

20:05 - Peter Falk, Columbo, and continuous improvement

24:32 - Street Stats on Quality Time With MoreSteam

Additional Resources:

Steve Adams on LinkedIn

Boost Consulting Firm

The Street Stats Playlist on YouTube

MoreSteam's YouTube Channel

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Quality Time With MoreSteam on LinkedIn

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Dan Swartwout Headshot
Dan Swartwout

Host • MoreSteam

Dan Swartwout is the host of Quality Time with MoreSteam. A lifelong Central Ohio resident, Dan is a double Buckeye. He earned both a BA and a law degree from The Ohio State University. Before joining MoreSteam, Dan had a long career as a host, comedian, and master of ceremonies. For 17 years, Dan was the studio audience host for the Ohio Lottery game show Cash Explosion. Dan was also the host of CBuzz, which was a collaboration between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, WWCD 92.9, and the Columbus Dispatch. On CBuzz, Dan interviewed some of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Central Ohio. From 2002-2020, Dan toured the country as a standup comedian. Tracks from his comedy CD have been played over 5,000 times on Sirius/XM satellite radio. Now, Dan brings his experience and enthusiasm to Quality Time with MoreSteam -- it's business and fun, together.

Steve Adams HeadshotSteve Adams on LinkedIn
Steve Adams

Engineer • Boost

Steve Adams is a quality professional with decades of hands-on experience in manufacturing. He graduated from West Point and served in the Army Corps of Engineers. Steve spent thirty years at Procter & Gamble, where he ran quality systems and led improvement projects as a Global Quality Assurance Auditor. Today, Steve works as a consultant who helps organizations improve all aspects of quality.

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