Paul Critchley, president of New England Lean Consulting, discusses Lean principles at the Quality Show South in Nashville this May. Learn how to leverage Lean for business growth in his session, "Wicked Good Leadership."

As manufacturers strive to meet customer expectations and remain competitive in today's global economy, they must consistently produce high-quality products. However, achieving this goal can be challenging.

Quality Testing Services Inc. is a St. Louis-based provider of nondestructive testing (NDT), calibration, training and consulting.

The moral to the story is that the best way to overcome obstacles and/or achieve success is to seek out those who have overcome the same barriers and succeeded. In other words, the key is asking the right questions of the right people.

One of my quality engineering students asked if there was such a thing as internal quality consultants.