Solutions Circles Know Before You Go: • Tickets are required and can be picked up at the Solutions Circle check-in desk 20 minutes before start (first-come, first-served). • Max 30 participants per session. Seats cannot be held in between sessions. • Arrive early. Your seat is only held for 3 minutes after a session starts, then released to standby attendees. • Open to full conference registrants only - have your badge ready. • Located in the Exhibit Hall, booth 200.
Description: As an early-career professional, I have made several observations while working in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, both from the perspective of research and development (R&D) and quality. While working on the R&D side, I've noticed a disconnect among personnel concerning quality. Conversely, during my time in quality, I've come to realize the paramount importance of effective communication in conveying messages to product development teams.
This solutions circle will be an interactive process. It will concentrate on various aspects, including how to take initiatives in instilling a culture of quality within an organization as a young professional such as through Lunch and Learns and tools to gain visibility in an organization as an early-career professional. Additionally, I'll discuss strategies for effective tracking and management of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), taking ownership of quality processes and tools to maintain accountability in cross-functional teams. I will discuss strategies to reduce miscommunication among teams and emphasize principles of empathy and psychological understanding of diverse cross-functional stakeholders to build a quality culture.
Furthermore, I'll address the challenge of explaining quality-related concepts to individuals who are new to quality and provide insights on crafting effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). I'll share techniques for conducting comprehensive gap analyses and identifying pertinent industry standards. Lastly, I'll emphasize the importance of maintaining a holistic view and focusing on the ultimate goal, all while avoiding getting bogged down in excessive details.
My central theme will revolve around how early-career professionals in quality can bring fresh perspectives to the table. I'll highlight how these perspectives can positively influence management and elaborate on effective strategies to bake quality into the culture of medical device companies. I will discuss how to communicate with authority in the workplace as an early-career professional and taking charge of one's career.
Learning Objectives:
I want participants to understand that an early career-quality professional can also make a difference in not just day-to-day operations, but also the quality culture of an organization. Using presentations and awareness sessions on a number of groups in different project maturity levels (for example: design stage, production stage and post commercialization), early-career professionals can create their own personal brand and establish themselves as leaders in the field. It is also important for quality professionals to understand the extent and depth with which to deal with cross-functional teams. Understanding ways to gauge psychology and empathize with cross-functional team members is an extremely important skill to have.
This message is important as it applies to everyone in the audience. Early-career professionals can get actionable advice, while managers can understand what kind of projects they can allocate next-gen professionals to for building visibility of their mentees and creating future leaders. Additionally, it is important for all professionals to understand that getting a seat at the table is a combination of technical expertise and soft skills. This session will enable all professionals to understand how to create a strategy in the workplace to showcase oneself in high-visibility projects and earn a voice while interacting with management--all while being an early-career professional.
1. Developing objectivity in handling situations 2. Coming up with topics to present to a larger audience in organizations to instill quality culture 3. Learning what language to speak to management for effective communication 4. Skills and opportunities early-career professionals need to watch out to gain visibility 5. How managers can assign tasks to mentees for their visibility 6. Understanding diverse perspectives from cross-functional teams and being mindful of interactions as a quality professional
