By: Robert O. Dean
What is this challenge and what does it mean? These two primary elements, competitive and compromise are the paradox of each other. A contradictory situation.
To compromise is to concede, a concession. A concession is the blending of qualities of two different things, like claiming a product barrier performance level without conducting the testing and validation that proves the barrier rating. Now within our highly regulated business, whenever there is discussion and consideration involving concession the element of concession arises the breakdown of quality performance responsibilities and accountabilities. One or more parties is going to compromise a primary tenet. Of course, this applies to corporate, agency or personal standards and expectations. A conflict emerges which causes the comprise of basic principles of what we establish as a foundation for basic personal and business practices.
Competitive, the other primary of business practice to strive, value, maneuver, develop strengths, develop confidence in capabilities and offerings. These also apply to both business and personal endeavors. One must compete daily, hourly, minute by minute with forces that demand the competitive spirit of what needs to be done in order to sustain success! Without success one succumbs to compromise. The competitive natures of both business and personal go significantly beyond daily musings. One must strive to sustain a competitive offering in personal skills, corporate capabilities, compliance performance and customer competitiveness which allows all involved to be successful. Of course, if we provide product and services to our customers which allow them to sustain competitiveness we will also remain competitive. A truly mutually inclusive relationship is built. Once again sustaining success. If we provide products, service and capabilities that exceed the expectations of customers, agencies, and ourselves the mission becomes fulfilled.
How does one remain competitive without compromise? Our maybe alternatively said, compromise make one less competitive. Hence the confirmation of the paradox, one cannot stay competitive with compromise. At EMM a competitive spirit and practice is a basic element of our company culture. We strive to continuously improve our capabilities to deliver processes, practices, products that also allow our partners to be competitive in their business world. Should a compromise arise that may concede our competitive position a thorough evaluation of possible root causes must be applied in order to, once again sustain success. The cost of competing is an expensive endeavor. These values which involves hiring of skilled employees, state of the art facilities, continuous training, technically sound validations, aggressive regulatory compliance, progressive materials, advanced processes all which are of a continuous improvement of staying competitive. When compared to the temptation of a low price based on quality compromise, a derogatory concession of primary product performance and company tenets and culture degrades.
Value is long term, price is short term! The reward of long term value for both company and customers versus the short term teasing of lower price provides for the ability of staying competitive without compromise.
Biography of Robert O. Dean
As the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, works with customers, US Team and the China team developing and implementing quality systems and device design protocols and validations to assure specification and national regulatory compliance and certifications.
Robert has +40 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and cosmetic industries, focused on the areas of development, regulatory, manufacturing, quality and business management.
Robert has 5 active medical device patents, +50 governmental approvals, and world wide experience with medical device development, manufacturing and compliance.
In his free time Rob can be found hiking, cycling and kayaking, preferably above 8000 feet. At sea level, exercising, surfing, competitive driving and “wrench turning”.
