Consultant & Coach to Cannabis Firms | Speaker | Publisher of the Cannabis Management Review at mitchellosak.substack.com
What is ‘Real’ Quality in Cannabis? “Doing the right things, right” Stephen Covey Quality is a much-discussed term in the cannabis industry. It is almost always thought about in terms of product features and consumer benefit. This lens shortchanges the role of quality when you view the term holistically. I think about ‘quality’ more broadly and deeply: it is the level of ‘excellence’ in products but also activities, processes, and outcomes. In other words, everything a cannabis firm and the employee should do and aim for, both seen and unseen. I call this Total Quality. Following TQ practices is a proven ingredient in business success. Companies that embrace TQ (e.g., Apple, Toyota, P&G) enjoy superior business performance. The key idea behind TQ is excellence. This noun has its own virtue but the pursuit does result in tangible benefits such as improved decisions (via better analysis), lower costs (through less waste), faster cycle times (by making fewer errors), and higher quality products (through better processes, learning etc.) Let’s consider how one publicly traded LP, Rubicon Organics™ uses TQ as a business enabler. To the CEO, Margaret Brodie CPA, CA ICD.D, TQ is Stephen Covey’s words in action. Brodie sees TQ as a mindset and norms that go way beyond management platitudes, SOPs and premium flower (yes, their product is terrific). At Rubicon… > There is a passion for detail and upholding high standards in all activities i.e. “striving to get the last 2%” and not cutting corners when it matters. The leadership regularly benchmarks the firm against the best companies in the world. > Monthly management meetings have visibility into every customer complaint. This brings customer-centricity to the fore and reinforces some key tenets of TQ like openness, accountability, and continuous improvement. > The Operations team take a whole plant approach. This enables the firm to regularly hit ever more ambitious product and production goals not to mention reducing inventory levels & loss rates According to Brodie, “Quality is the core of everything we do. When a terracotta Simply Bare Organic jar moves through operations, I ask each team member to remember that consumers have entrusted our brands with their hard-earned money. We want their experience to be wonderful and to consistently deliver on the brand promise…and that comes down to quality, everywhere and every time.” Not surprisingly, Rubicon has been one of the best performing Canadian LPs in terms of financial performance and market share. In my experience, TQ practices also include habits like double checking financial analysis, proofreading emails for clarity, and turning off lights when you leave a room. Let’s chat about how we can bring TQ into your company and amp up operational performance. 🔔 Hit that follow bell to always get my unique, impactful content #cannabis #cannabisindustry #Rubiconorganics #quality
Seth Yakatan
3mo
Mitchell Osak I see this term thrown around so often I have become numb to it and its actual meaning…
Stephen Kim
3mo
Great post Mitchell Osak! Appreciate the articulation of benchmarks that go so far beyond the subjective “it’s because I say so” that’s often touted.
Consultant & Coach to Cannabis Firms | Speaker | Publisher of the Cannabis Management Review at mitchellosak.substack.com
3moMargaret Brodie CPA, CA ICD.D Chris Still Mathieu Aubin