My favourite quotes from the Wikipedia page on W. Edwards Deming:

“[Deming] is regarded as having had more impact upon Japanese manufacturing and business than any other individual not of Japanese heritage.

[…] Deming questioned the company's culture and the way its managers operated. To Ford's surprise, Deming talked not about quality but about management. He told Ford that management actions were responsible for 85% of all problems in developing better cars.

[…] When people and organizations focus primarily on quality, quality tends to increase and costs fall over time. However, when people and organizations focus primarily on costs, costs tend to rise and quality declines over time.

[…] Eliminate the need for massive inspection by building quality into the product in the first place.

[…] Break down barriers between departments. People in research, design, sales, and production must work as a team, in order to foresee problems of production and usage that may be encountered with the product or service.

[…] Eliminate management by objective. Eliminate management by numbers and numerical goals. Instead substitute with leadership.

[…] Obstacles: Placing blame on workforces who are only responsible for 15% of mistakes where the system designed by management is responsible for 85% of the unintended consequences.”