Quality - Losing The Plot.

There was a time when "quality" could be used as a differentiator between products, people and places. A time when a person's word alone was sufficient to seal a deal. A time when the same item produced in two different places could be compared and a quality established as to which was superior. A period when "quality of life" was tangible not only in the balances one achieved between work and play, but measured by the conditions under which one lived; social, educational, political and environmental.

Of course, quality means different things to different people so I would not attempt a universal definition. I merely set out above a number of factors that bring the word to life, for me. So what is in my mind? (Not a lot, some would say, but I digress!).

As time has passed we seem to have become more willing to compromise on quality in the interests of speed or, worryingly, just "keeping the peace". Allowing standards to drop, for example, in written language. How I used to hate having my business letters reviewed by a third party before they were despatched - but it taught me to avoid ambiguity in my writing. Today we seem perfectly happy to receive letters that are not only written poorly in terms of grammar, but in a shorthand that leads to weird interpretation. I recall a number of years ago when a "circulation file" of already despatched letters came across my desk in another country, all signed by a Western executive. The letters were, frankly, awful and I went through them with a red pen, raising the hackles of the executive concerned who excused his work by saying that the typists were incompetent, would never change, and it wasn't that important anyway. My view was this was a "face" of the Bank, and it mattered to me. Point is - you do not have to give in to sub-standard work in the interests of either expediency or laziness.

Quality of air, at least in Hong Kong, is another issue where not being willing to address a problem head-on is creating present and future difficulties for the City. Whereas we are told by Government that overall air quality has improved in the last few years, try telling that to the pedestrians on Hong Kong Kong Island last week where roadside stations were registering pollution readings in excess of 160 - against an index that suggests at a pollution level of 100, people with heart and respiratory problems need to be extra careful. Air quality in Hong Kong over the last 30 years, probably like other cities, has declined. But I would argue that Hong Kong has worsened faster than most. Initially blamed on factories polluting the air across the border in Shenzhen (largely owned by Hong Kong businesses!), many of which have now moved or closed. Today is a holiday in Hong Kong, as a result of which I can see Kowloon albeit hazily from my window. Not something I was able to do last week from my office - which is nearer to Kowloon. This is because there is not so much traffic on the road today, or cars sitting with idling engines (not allowed, but which happens so that car owners can get into air-conditioned comfort). But it is estimated that more than half of Hong Kong's pollution is locally created - yet we have a Government that seems powerless to institute the changes necessary. This is not a new debate. In a speech I made in November 2006 I pointed to warnings that had been carried out 20 years earlier about the potential worsening of air quality in Hong Kong. 

Quality of leadership is a subject on the lips of many today. Not necessarily from those who believe they could lead better, but those who are anxious to be well led. It doesn't matter where you look really - and I guess there are some potential bright spots but Britain wouldn't appear to be one of them. The BBC last week allowed the leader of the British National Party, a man described by a former Archbishop of Canterbury as a "squalid racist",  to appear on television. The BNP's earlier manifestos called for the immediate deportation of 2 million non-whites from Britain, and the outlawing of mixed race marriages. They have now been forced by law to agree to allow anyone to join the BNP who wants to, and it will be interesting to see how this works in practice. The airing of the show was seen by some as a victory for openness and freedom of speech, but the implications worried me. An opinion poll carried out the following day indicated that 22% of people polled would consider voting for the BNP in an election. This was dramatically up from a rating of around 0.7% some months earlier. But they are not the only extreme right wing group in the world. Protectionism is more likely to raise its head in the face of job losses. Fast growing and young populations in some poorer economies will seek a better life - anywhere they can. As a result of which such nationalistic groups are likely to rise in number and popularity. It is not a prospect I relish.

So where does all this take us ... because the list can go on?

If we forsake "quality" because of some forceful bullies who operate in the financial, business, political and social world, and therefore abandon many of our standards, we will continue to decline. This will ultimately bring us down to the level of the lowest common denominator, inhaling air we can chew rather than breathe, and leaving no legacy worth having to our children's children.

Comments

[David Eldon]

Interestingly, to me anyway, it was not long ago I was being castigated for beating up on the Americans all the time, but comments noted.
I tend to try and find odd bits that interest me, for whatever reason, and I find that our ailing, failing leadership in Hong Kong gets plenty of criticism already, but happy to add to it as and when.
The survey I quoted was from one of the more reliable UK newspapers (The Sun? - no, just joking) the day after Griffin's programme. Sadly, I have heard from UK friends that there is definitely an "atmosphere" now around a far right revival, but I'm with you as far as the BNP are concerned. There should be no room in any society for such an organisation - but try telling that to the defenders of "freedom of expression and speech".

[anon]

Good piece, but I do find it somewhat irritating how you seem to use your blog to especially criticise the leadership of the UK (be that the Labour government, or in this case the BBC). Not much criticism of our ailing, failing leadership in Hong Kong (whether thats the actual government, or our octogenarian property magnates, who we all know really run the place)

By the way, and I am sure you saw or read about the Question Time programme featuring Nick Griffin. He was appalling, and made himself and the BNP look entirely ridiculous. Any short term publicity benefit they may have got (and I am very dubious about the survey you quote - I saw one which showed almost the opposite) will surely be outweighed in very short order by the British public recognising how obnoxious the BNP are.

[hans olijve]

nice piece again..and maybe the world would be a better place if everyone dedicated maybe a 3 to 6 months period to assist NGO like Doctors without Borders with their programs around the globe. It humbles you when people try to make a living in appalling conditions whereas we live in a more affluent society but make a mess of it.

[Paul Eldon]

"This will ultimately bring us down to the level of the lowest common denominator, inhaling air we can chew rather than breathe, and leaving no legacy worth having to our children's children."

Perhaps I am being old before my time but I think you could probably have left off the last 'children' in that sentence. I knew my (utterly adorable) niece would one day draw your attentions away from me!

Other than that, very well written piece Dad. I concur.

[David Eldon]

Ha! I knew that would happen!! Mea Culpa. Serves me right for not listening to my own advice as I was rushing for a plane. I will try and make it more comprehensible as soon as I can.

[George Merriam]

You might wish to take up your red pen once more and vigourously apply it to the following incomprehensible sentence:

"But they are not the only extreme right wing group in the world, and as protectionism raises its head in the face of job losses, fast growing and young populations in some poorer economies who will seek to break out, and male dominated societies in Asia, they are likely to rise in number and popularity."

[David Eldon]

Thank you. Excellent point - which serves to reinforce the suggestion that falling quality standards surround us - and in particular Donald Tsang's speechwriter who came up with that little longevity pearl you mentioned. (A lag indicator, not a lead, Donald!) I first of all wondered whether Donald had read the speech before he delivered it, and then I wondered whether said speechwriter retained his job.

[Mark]

This is a very thoughtful post. One aspect not named in the constant erosion of quality is spin. Blair's government raised it to an art form, where any lack of quality was simply airbrushed over with glib newspeak. This has been replicated the world over by governments and corporations and instead of answering the issue up for disussion we are bombarded instead with 'key messages'. HK's own government is now practising this by answering, when asked about the quality of the air we breathe, that we have the 2nd longest living citizens in the world. Not for long, Donald, not for long - but then you'll be safely out of office by then, eh?