The Quality Inspector and the Lizard

My business partner, Nicole, has one of the quickest minds in our business, quality consulting for drugs and medical devices.  But I’m blown away at her response to the revelation that confronted her during a recent audit. 

Our customer had hired us to conduct a quality audit of a potential supplier.  We were accompanied by the supplier’s quality manager.  While walking through the product packaging area we heard a scratching noise, like dog claws on a hard floor.  The quality manager opened a side door and tried to motion us through, looking askance at a hallway coming into the packaging area. 

Nicole held her ground as the noise got louder.  Around the corner from the hallway came a slithering beast, its tongue flicking out as it scratched along.  It was a monitor lizard.  “What’s that?”  demanded Nicole.

“That’s our pest control system,” replied the quality manager.

Without looking up from her notepad Nicole said, “I want to see his job description, his training records, where he goes to the bathroom, and evidence that he washes his hands after he uses it.”

The audit pretty much broke down after that. 

Now, you’re going to say that this can’t possibly be true.  I’m telling you it is.  I think I’m pretty creative.  But nobody could make this up.