Total Quality Management Introduced in the 1950s and made more popular in the 1980s, Total Quality Management is a very radical management style. A strong total quality management plan is based on internal and external team building. One mistake to avoid before implementing a Total Quality Management strategy is an inaccurate analysis of the preconditions and current state of an organization. Leadership styles and organizational culture must work well together. Otherwise, this process should be delayed until an accurate assessment and favorable conditions exist. This document defines total quality management and examines the impact of globalization on quality. Additionally, traditional management styles and quality-focused management styles are compared and contrasted. Finally, it is explained how federated department stores apply Total Quality Management. Definition of Total Quality Management. Total Quality Management is the set of techniques used by an organization to improve the quality and level of production. This technique involves teamwork and is used horizontally throughout the organization. Internally, all departments and employees are included. Externally this includes all suppliers and customers/customers. The most important goal of Total Quality Management is to implement effective quality and productivity plans that will increase profits and give the organization a competitive boost. According to Hashmi (2006), “Total Quality is a description of the culture, attitude and organization of a company that strives to provide customers with products and services that meet their needs. The culture requires quality in all aspects aspects of the company's operations, with processes done right the first time and defects and waste eliminated from operations" (paragraph 2). To be effective, quality management must be continuously improved by management and employees. Companies that have initiated the total quality management process include; Ford Motor Company, Phillips Semiconductor, SGL Carbon, Motorola, and Toyota Motor Company (Hashmi, 2006). A wide range of organizations currently use quality management; originally designed for manufacturing and for many years used only in that area. Today, quality management is considered a highly adjustable strategy and has become a basic management tool in public services and organizations. Traditional management vs. quality management Traditional management styles place emphasis on the internal work environment. If an organization has done the best job possible to produce a product or service, it is assumed to be of good quality. Total Quality Management examines the end user to determine quality. The important decision maker is the customer; quality management focuses on the customer.