ISO Certification β Is It Worth the Investment?
ISO β the International Organization for Standardization β develops
globally-recognized rules and norms for products, services and best practices
to promote better operational effectiveness. ISO standards are intended to help
businesses reduce
costs and increase efficiency by minimizing waste and errors and increasing
productivity.
globally-recognized rules and norms for products, services and best practices
to promote better operational effectiveness. ISO standards are intended to help
businesses reduce
costs and increase efficiency by minimizing waste and errors and increasing
productivity.
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| Robert Coolidge President & CEO |
The ISO 9000 standards address
quality management and are among the most popular implemented by businesses.
ISO 9001 is the only ISO 9000 standard that can be certified to, and
essentially helps ensure that customers receive good quality, consistent
products and services. It is based on a number of quality management principles,
including a strong customer focus, leadership involvement, process approach and
ongoing improvement. Other ISO certifications are industry specific, such as
food safety, automotive and medical devices, but are still based on the ISO
9000 quality management standards.
quality management and are among the most popular implemented by businesses.
ISO 9001 is the only ISO 9000 standard that can be certified to, and
essentially helps ensure that customers receive good quality, consistent
products and services. It is based on a number of quality management principles,
including a strong customer focus, leadership involvement, process approach and
ongoing improvement. Other ISO certifications are industry specific, such as
food safety, automotive and medical devices, but are still based on the ISO
9000 quality management standards.
The actual certification process
can cost thousands of dollars and take months to achieve. It requires an
enormous amount of procedural documentation and commitment to continual
measurement and improvement.
can cost thousands of dollars and take months to achieve. It requires an
enormous amount of procedural documentation and commitment to continual
measurement and improvement.
At a time when many businesses are still tracking costs to
the penny, how can you justify the time and expense to attain ISO certification?
Depending on the size and complexity of your operation, that upfront investment
could end up providing a much greater return in the long run. Benefits include:
the penny, how can you justify the time and expense to attain ISO certification?
Depending on the size and complexity of your operation, that upfront investment
could end up providing a much greater return in the long run. Benefits include:
Β·
Improved control
of operations β
registered companies deliver more consistent products and services to their
customers, resulting in less waste and decreased costs.
Improved control
of operations β
registered companies deliver more consistent products and services to their
customers, resulting in less waste and decreased costs.
Β·
Process
documentation β preservation
of knowledge and skills can more quickly be transferred to new employees,
reducing the learning curve.
Process
documentation β preservation
of knowledge and skills can more quickly be transferred to new employees,
reducing the learning curve.
Β·
Business
development β
many industries require their vendors to be ISO certified. Plus, potential
customers will perceive your organization to be more proactive, disciplined,
trustworthy and able to provide higher levels of customer service.
Business
development β
many industries require their vendors to be ISO certified. Plus, potential
customers will perceive your organization to be more proactive, disciplined,
trustworthy and able to provide higher levels of customer service.
Β·
Continual
improvement β
ISO 9001 provides the tools to constantly enhance operational efficiency and improve
service. Required Quarterly Management Reviews go over key performance
indicators and defined action plans for standards not being met.
Continual
improvement β
ISO 9001 provides the tools to constantly enhance operational efficiency and improve
service. Required Quarterly Management Reviews go over key performance
indicators and defined action plans for standards not being met.
Β·
Staff
optimization β
ensures employees are competent for tasks assigned.
Staff
optimization β
ensures employees are competent for tasks assigned.
Β·
Cross-functional
cooperation β
certification involves all departments to minimize operational obstacles.
Cross-functional
cooperation β
certification involves all departments to minimize operational obstacles.
ISO certification can be daunting,
but there are many consulting firms available to help guide businesses through
the process. Hiring a consultant does not come cheap, but is probably the best
way to go to ensure compliance.
but there are many consulting firms available to help guide businesses through
the process. Hiring a consultant does not come cheap, but is probably the best
way to go to ensure compliance.
Itβs certainly worth exploring certification
β in a competitive marketplace, it could give your organization an edge with
prospects, while greatly improving your internal operations.
β in a competitive marketplace, it could give your organization an edge with
prospects, while greatly improving your internal operations.
For detailed information about ISO
Standards, click here.
Standards, click here.
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