Quality follows quality: add quality to the business and quality will multiply the profits

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the common grounds that quality and productivity share. Hence, this paper reflects a mélange of quality and productivity and sets forth the path to profitable outcomes of quality implementations.Design/methodology/approachThe main approach to the topic is through the basic shop floor understanding of the term quality. The research method used in this paper utilize a range of text books as well as journal paper on quality and total quality management (TQM). Various graphs and figures are very sensibly constructed from the text and well quoted where ever they are inspired from a source. As with the myriad definitions available for quality, this paper starts with the notion of quality as applicable to individuals and hence selected definitions of quality (from quality gurus) have been included. After the basics of TQM have been discussed, the central theme of the paper, i.e. quality and productivity; and its relation is explored. The paper then concludes with a brief account of cost of quality.FindingsThe topic is discussed and analysed liberally throughout the length and breadth. Popular findings from this paper include: quality is as important a determining criteria for small businesses as it is for large business houses. And customer's changing demands and the need for stringent cost management in fluctuating environments make TQM a practice of paramount importance for every enterprise, big or small.Practical implicationsFor sustained business, an optimistic company places customers above profits. The kind of companies that exist in the future will solely be determined by the customers. Hence, to make their businesses customer‐centered, the TQM‐able approach will be single‐handedly successful.Originality/valueThe value of this paper lies in the grasp of individuals and businesses alike who want to have a holistic view of functions of quality. This paper bridges the gap between two different paradigms of quality and productivity; how they are seen by small‐ as well as large‐scale businesses and how implementing the quality will results in more production and ultimately profitable as well as sustainable businesses reinforced with efficient use of resources available.