MOBIL OIL EXECUTIVE TO SPEAK HERE OCT. 31

A Mobil Oil Co. executive will address "Total Quality Management: A Winning Strategy for the '90s" as part of an Experts in Business series Oct. 31 at Southeast Missouri State University.

Robert H. Erickson, total quality management manager for the marketing and refining division of Mobil Oil, will be the keynote speaker at the event scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Show Me Center.

A reception will follow.

"Total quality management is a philosophy of management which concentrates on tools and, most importantly, a mind-set which is able to improve upon the best past performance of any business or any other organization," Erickson said. "It enables us to realize the full potential of all members of the organization and to realize key goals faster."

Total quality management is both a management philosophy and a competitive strategy. It stresses that customer satisfaction, management commitment, employee involvement and empowerment, and quality assurance make it possible for organizations and their employees to realize their full potential.

Experts estimate that implementation of total quality management by a range of public and private sector U.S. organizations could save $300 billion per year.

They also believe that widespread adoption of total quality management could dramatically increase the global competitiveness of U.S. companies.

Erickson joined Mobil in 1963 as an international marketing trainee after earning his master's degree in business administration from Dartmouth College's Amos Tuck School of Business Administration also in 1963.

Erickson subsequently served as general manager of Mobil Oil Norge (Norway), and chairman and managing director of Mobil Oil Nigeria.

To reserve a place for the event call 651-5911.