In today's hectic business environment, it is vital that we are all on the same page, right? But how do we know if we meet those standards? Business owners and executives can avoid the uncertainty, and that's where ISO 9001 certification comes in.
Standardizing Quality Systems
The ISO, or International Organization for Standardization, was established in 1947 to develop international standards for everything from electronics to management systems. Having over 13,000 standards currently in place, ISO has created the auditing and certification process known as ISO 9001. This began the drive toward quality standards.
Improving Customer Satisfaction
Companies choose to implement ISO 9001 and get certified because many customers and industries require it. By keeping customers happy, they can increase sales and profitability for their business. And if an area of the company's program appears to be too bureaucratic and non-value-adding, then it might also be an area for continuous improvement efforts.
Enhancing Company Policy and Performance
Both customers and industries alike use ISO certification as a way to evaluate and audit their suppliers and products. Through an independent verification process, customers can gain assurance of their suppliers' products. And as a supplier becomes certified, the testing requirement is waved, which saves the company both time and money.
Developing a Best Practices Process
Employed as a "Best Practices" model, ISO 9001 utilizes the philosophy of the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" continuous improvement cycle to achieve requirements. This process approach centers around eight quality management principles used by management as a guide toward improving performance and identifying the main elements needed in a good quality system:
1. Customer Focus
2. Leadership
3. Involvement of People
4. Process Approach
5. Systems Approach to Management
6. Continuous improvement
7. Factual Approach to Decision-Making
8. Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationship
Building Stable Processes
ISO 9001 policies, procedures and forms can provide employers, managers and employees with a systematic and consistent approach to implementing policies, plans, procedures and work routines. Instead of building their own policies and procedures from scratch, some companies prefer to hire professional writers that have already prepared a set of written policies and procedures to help on the way to certification.
Auditing a Company System
In the certification process, an independent registrar will perform an on-site audit of a company's operations to verify that it complies with the ISO standard. If the business complies, then that company will be registered as ISO 9001 compliant.
Effective Policies and Procedures
On the way to certification, a business can meet its ISO needs by:
? Using well-defined processes and procedures to build stable processes
? Training in the audit and certification process
? Continuously improving with ISO 9001 standards
Quality Management System
With complete procedures manuals for ISO 9001 Quality Management System, required HR procedures, and an ISO training class, a template like an ISO 9001 Quality Manager Procedures Manual Series can help a business on its way to ISO 9001 certification. Sometimes the effort can be very great, but companies typically notice a remarkable difference in efficiency and effectiveness after the first year.
Chris Anderson is currently the managing director of Bizmanualz, Inc. and co-author of policies and procedures manuals, producing the layout, process design and implementation to increase performance. To learn how to increase your business performance, visit: Bizmanualz, Inc.
The term crisis management has different connotations. In this article,... Read More
Managers make three mistakes when they try to run businesses.... Read More
SIX "HONEST BUSINESS FRIENDS" - THEY GUIDE ME IN ALL... Read More
You, the Entrepreneur, are 'normally' a type-A individual. One who... Read More
An operations manual can act as a tool for training... Read More
I've met and worked with many people in all sectors... Read More
While it's probably not true to say that the traditional... Read More
Getting into the detail of everything each of your people... Read More
IntroductionAre you looking for a way to gain control of... Read More
New York, NY, February 25, 2005 ? Employee retention and... Read More
How do you select staff for international assignments? It's an... Read More
Last week I was confused and frustrated about a few... Read More
Conflict is a fact of life for all of us,... Read More
Teleconferences can be a boon or a bust. On the... Read More
If you want to ensure a steady stream of customers... Read More
Employers have rapidly begun to understand the importance of stress... Read More
1. Trust no one. Not your superiors and not your... Read More
GROUP DECISION-MAKING: Many managers feel they are well-versed in areas... Read More
Child custody? How'd that get to be an employer's concern?When... Read More
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
"Must Project Managers be technically savvy?" This topic always seems... Read More
Companies spend millions of dollars each year identifying their brand,... Read More
Now that it is January, many of you are putting... Read More
160 years ago, the newly invented electric telegraph carried the... Read More
"Without the chance to meaningfully participate in steering one's own... Read More
Top leaders...Are Visionary Top leaders have a very clear understanding... Read More
Yet there is a place for those external 'raft-build's', 'away... Read More
In Stephen Covey's great book, "The Seven Habits of Highly... Read More
There is an inherent conflict between owners and managers of... Read More
AbstractThe electrical products industry is one characterized by fierce competition,... Read More
Many companies have dress codes, which include jewelry. Some companies... Read More
If Baby Boomers can get botox and tummy tucks, then... Read More
There are different reactions that individuals experience during time of... Read More
Escalating gas prices...tensions and turmoil in the Middle East...a struggling... Read More
As you look around your office, is everyone just like... Read More
You just signed a Help Desk Service Level Agreement (SLA)... Read More
Imagine the following scenario - you pay a visit to... Read More
However hard we try, we seem to make life more... Read More
This article relates to the Culture & Climate competency, commonly... Read More
Before you start your own business one of the first... Read More
Remember the 80:20 rule? You may not get everything perfectly... Read More
Does this sound familiar? You were hired for the new... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
1. No vision. Successful businesses have a clear vision or... Read More
INTERNAL PUBLIC RELATIONS: Never overlook an opportunity to do internal... Read More
Some people make decisions without any difficulty, while others struggle.... Read More
A recent report from the American Hospital Association's Commission on... Read More
As a recent employee to your job, you are becoming... Read More
My mechanic has me trained. When I take my car... Read More
When you think of all the things companies have, you... Read More
Ask most people why they are in business and they... Read More
Communication is the key to your success at work, at... Read More
Successful enterprise building requires seven elements. These are:1. People, who... Read More
"We have to be careful it's like a minefield out... Read More
This short story, Coworkers Collaborate to Complete Successful Initiative, was... Read More
We all know that achieving better alignment, synergy and cooperation... Read More
When you have to deal with one of your team... Read More
How many times have you asked someone to do something... Read More
Six Ways to Keep Things Simple We can have greater... Read More
Decision-making shows up throughout the problem-solving process. The decisions may... Read More
Using Employee Opinions Effectively When Designing HR ProgramsEmployee opinion is... Read More
Few Decision makers see the link between between creativity and... Read More
A few weeks ago, after consultations with others in an... Read More
'I heard it on the grapevine' the old song goes.... Read More
Every small to mid-sized business owner would love to know... Read More
All of us have knowledge, expertise, and experience that others... Read More
Business Management |