Phil Crosby

Date of Birth: June 18, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: August 18, 2001

Biography

Philip Bayard Crosby, commonly known as Phil Crosby, was a prominent American businessman and author best known for his work in the field of quality management. Born on June 18, 1926, in Wheeling, West Virginia, Crosby was a key figure in the quality revolution that swept through American industry in the latter half of the 20th century. He is perhaps most famous for his book “Quality is Free,” which introduced the concept that investing in quality improvements actually saves money in the long run by reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Crosby began his career in the military, serving as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he attended Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine but found his true calling in the manufacturing industry. He held various positions at companies like Crosley Corporation and Martin-Marietta before joining International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) in 1965. It was at ITT that Crosby developed many of his quality management theories and practices, eventually rising to the position of Vice President of Quality. In 1979, Crosby founded Philip Crosby Associates Inc., a consultancy firm that offered training and consulting services in quality management. His methods and teachings emphasized the importance of “zero defects” and preventive measures over inspection and correction. Crosby’s influence extended globally, and he became a sought-after speaker and consultant, helping organizations around the world improve their quality standards. Phil Crosby passed away on August 18, 2001, but his legacy continues to influence modern quality management practices.

5 Interesting Facts about Phil Crosby

1. Phil Crosby served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

2. He is best known for his book “Quality is Free,” which popularized the concept that quality improvement pays for itself.

3. Crosby developed the “zero defects” philosophy, which promotes the idea that error-free performance is achievable and should be the standard.

4. He founded Philip Crosby Associates Inc., a consultancy firm that provided quality management training and consulting services worldwide.

5. Crosby was a Vice President of Quality at International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT), where he implemented many of his quality management theories.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Phil Crosby

1. “Quality is free. It’s not a gift, but it’s free. The ‘unquality’ things are what cost money.”

2. “Doing it right the first time is always cheaper than doing it over.”

3. “You don’t have to be bad to get better.”

4. “The purpose of quality is to ensure that customers get what they expect.”

5. “Zero defects is not a motivation program; it is a performance standard.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Phil Crosby’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, primarily through his consultancy firm and book sales.

Children

Phil Crosby had four children: Philip B. Crosby Jr., David Crosby, Robert Crosby, and Carole Crosby. His children have largely stayed out of the public eye, but they have continued to honor their father’s legacy in various ways.