Does your organization display or promote its quality system proudly in its marketing? If the answer is yes, then kudos to your management and marketing team for understanding that this is a valuable selling point to your prospective customers and clients.

If you answered no, then why not? Why not use this very valuable asset within your marketing arsenal? But don’t worry, this is a relatively simple fix, however, may require a small amount of resources for branding purposes. Not as much as you might think though.

My question to you is why would you not elect to show the world that you are committed to providing a quality product or service to your clients, and that you have taken the time and resources required in order to develop and implement a quality system and establish a quality culture within your organization?

Don’t you think the public should be aware of this fact? I mean it could quite simply come down to the deciding factor between you and the other guys in your market.

What if our quality management system is not certified?

Many organizations will display their ISO certification on their website, email signatures or marketing materials, but that certainly doesn’t mean you must have a certification to show off your commitment to quality and improvement. If your industry, or clients, demand such a certification then this is a different story and you must comply in order to stay competitive, however, many clients or customers will not care if you hold a certificate. Simply displaying the fact that you have taken it upon yourselves to focus on quality will go a long way.

What if we don’t have a quality system?

Don’t currently have a quality management system in place at your organization? Well have I got a deal for you! Maybe you have not had the resources, or expertise/experience to develop and implement a quality system, or have had your head down focused on making the company profitable and keeping the lights on, that you haven’t had the time to devote to this task. Well what better reason than to add to your public and client perception and add to your marketing plan then to put that missing piece of the puzzle in place.

As I mentioned above you do not have to go all in and implement an ISO 9001 ready quality system with all the bells and whistles. Simply start small and develop a system that works well for your current scope of business. This gives you the opportunity to show your commitment to bettering your organization and satisfying your customer or client needs. You can then build on that system as needed over time, and as your business becomes more complex.

The message here is start now! It’s not an all or nothing type deal with any management system.

How should a company promote its quality system?

So how exactly are you supposed to promote your quality system anyway? Many organizations will include something on their website. A menu tab simply titled “Quality” will do the trick. Once a prospective client clicks on this tab you have a small blurb explaining your commitment to quality and how you go about achieving it. This does not have to be a long drawn out document explaining every aspect of your quality system in detail, but simply a policy statement, and the fact that you have developed processes to ensure quality is upheld within the organization.

Include a small blurb on your marketing flyers and company portfolio. Again this can simply be a very short statement about your organization’s commitment to quality and client satisfaction. If you have a certification then include the approved logo or identification to show this.

What about a safety system?

Have a safety program within your business? Promote that too! This is another area of your organization that you should be proud to display. It shows you are committed to safe working conditions for your employees and not simply looking to turn a profit at all costs. People are much more in tune with such things these days and want to do business with a caring and moral organization.

This also helps in finding and retaining good talent to improve your business and add to your success.

In conclusion

So to sum things up, don’t miss the opportunity to promote your commitment to providing quality products and services whenever you can. In today’s marketplace it is a great selling feature and in many cases a must. So show it off and put it to work for you beyond the benefits of having efficient processes within the organization.

How QCA Online can help!

We have developed a unique online resource that will have a substantial impact on your business by making it easy for you to set up or improve a quality system that will satisfy client and industry requirements, without the expense of hiring an in-house consultancy firm or sending employees to costly off site training, losing valuable production time. As you know, every organization, without exception, must have a valid quality system in place in order to meet client expectations, regardless of who that client is, and ultimately stay in business.

Our new Online Quality Management Systems Implementation Program is a highly efficient way to implement or improve a quality management system within your organization that is based on, and compliant with, the world’s most recognized quality standard, ISO 9001 (certification is not required), train as many of your staff or management personnel as you wish without putting a dent in your training budget, receive “on-demand” assistance from an experienced and certified management professional to help you implement your new system and get all the quality documentation you require to help your business run effectively with little disruption to production or operations. This is truly a unique and effective way to get your quality system up and running easily and quickly!

Click here to learn more about the program

Every organization needs to have a quality management system in order to maintain compliance with industry and client/customer requirements. This is a given in today’s business environment. Without it you will be trampled by the competition or die a slow death under the compiled weight of your own waste and inefficiency.

Since most quality systems are derived from some form of ISO quality standards, it is fair to assume that your organization would require formal certification to one of these standards in order to take advantage of the many benefits they offer. But this would be an inaccurate assumption.

Is ISO 9001 certification required?

So when you are faced with the inevitable question from an executive of an organization if ISO certification is going to add value to the company, the short answer may simply be: No!

But the more detailed answer is going to be: It depends!

There are certainly circumstances where making the operational and financial commitment to formal ISO certification will be a business necessity. It may us be a requirement or norm within your particular industry, or your clients may demand it before they will enter into a contract with your company.

In these circumstances it simply becomes a necessary cost of doing business. Like insurance or utilities. However, there are many other circumstances that will not require your organization to cough up the hefty initial and recurring fees required for certification.

So we don’t need a quality system then?

Now that doesn’t mean you do not require a quality system, or that you should not base that system on ISO 9001. It simply means you can take advantage of the globally recognized structure of ISO 9001 without the high cost of becoming formally certified.

I have personally worked within many organizations that have structured their quality management systems under the ISO 9001 standard, yet have not sought certification and have successfully operated within their scope of work very well. The majority of their clients could care less whether they have the certificate posted in the from entrance of the head office, but will certainly require them to demonstrate that they have a ISO compliant quality system in place and that they are indeed following it.

This demonstration usually comes in the form of a QMS documentation review which is followed up with periodic audits to show conformance. This system works extremely well and allows organizations the ability to acquire contracts without certification which, let’s face it, can be a financial burden for many.   

Why ISO 9001?

So why use ISO 9001 to develop your quality system in the first place?

Well one easy answer to that question is that it is the most widely used and recognized standards for quality management in the world and has been fort many years. So you can be certain that your quality system will be accepted and produce valuable benefits to your company.

Another solid reason is the fact that it makes the process of developing and implementing a quality system very easy for the organization’s management team. The structure and requirements are all laid out in a single document that you can use to ensure you are hitting all the necessary points. Many organizational leaders do not have the experience or expertise to take on this activity, so the ISO 9001 standard makes this a much less daunting task. Although you would still be advised to bring in some form of expert help in this process.

So as you can see, a quality management system based on the ISO 9001 standard can be very beneficial to an organization, but do not gasp at the thought of becoming certified as soon as you here the word ISO. You can still get a tremendous amount of value from implementing a system that is simply compliant to the standard and yet not formally certified.

How QCA Online can help!

We have developed a unique online resource that will have a substantial impact on your business by making it easy for you to set up or improve a quality system that will satisfy client and industry requirements, without the expense of hiring an in-house consultancy firm or sending employees to costly off site training, losing valuable production time. As you know, every organization, without exception, must have a valid quality system in place in order to meet client expectations, regardless of who that client is, and ultimately stay in business.

Our new Online Quality Management Systems Implementation Program is a highly efficient way to implement or improve a quality management system within your organization that is based on, and compliant with, the world’s most recognized quality standard, ISO 9001 (certification is not required), train as many of your staff or management personnel as you wish without putting a dent in your training budget, receive “on-demand” assistance from an experienced and certified management professional to help you implement your new system and get all the quality documentation you require to help your business run effectively with little disruption to production or operations. This is truly a unique and effective way to get your quality system up and running easily and quickly!

Click here to learn more about the program

Why is it that most business leaders take painstakingly detailed steps to develop systems for business functions such as production and operations, yet cringe as if someone has just run their nails down a chalkboard at the thought of developing and maintaining a system for quality management?

This is by far one of the last major programs to be developed in many companies, and not very effectively when it finally has been implemented.

Why do you think that is? Every executive, with no exception, will be quick to voice the proverbial “quality is of utmost importance” when the subject is raised. “We take the quality of our products and services, and the satisfaction of our customers very seriously, in fact it is our number one priority here at Acme Inc.” Yet when it comes time to focus on building a QMS they shelve it for another day when there are less pressing issues standing in the way.

Yes, this applies to you!

This applies to you!

Many management types reading this article right now (and I do hope there are many), are shaking their heads and asserting “this does not apply to me or my organization! We have a robust quality oriented strategy here!”

But it does apply to you….and you, in your heart of hearts you know this to be true…and that’s ok! There is a valid reason for this. And that is, quality is in most cases a non-value added function of an organization.

Wait…what? Did he really just say that outloud? He will never get invited back to another quality convention or social event again! And that would be tragic believe me…there’s nothing better than some good quality talk over a cold brew, believe me!

Yes I said it! And I stand by that statement regardless of the consequences to my social status in the quality community!

Let me explain:

But what exactly do I mean by that? Surely quality adds value, right?

Yes of course it does, but not in the tangible way you get value from production or operations. Quality does not generate the cold hard cash that you get from the development and physical production of a product to be handed over to a paying customer or a service to a client.

You can’t touch it, or watch it accumulate in a spreadsheet or bank account. It’s very difficult to measure and report to shareholders in such a way that shows results. And what is it that we are trying to achieve as executive or management personnel? The generation of revenue and increased profit margin.

So it’s natural that you would focus your attention to the functions of the organization that will bring you such tangible returns.

So does this make quality any less important, or valuable to the organization’s bottom line?

I think you already know the answer to that question, at least I certainly hope you do, or else you are in for a bumpy road along your journey to business success!

No lecture here. Not today!

Now before you start thinking…”here we go with another soapbox lecture from a quality advocate. “Oh those quality management types are always preaching about the cost of quality and continuous improvement, while they slow production with their corrective actions and incessant chattering about following procedures to the letter!”

I’m not going to do all that here, not today, although you know I could in spades. Nope, that’s not the message I am toteing with this article.

Two (2) simple reasons.

In the following paragraphs I am going to give you two (2) simple and straightforward reasons why you need to implement a quality system within your organization regardless of size or industry, and why you should do it sooner than later.

Thats right! Just two (2) simple reasons. But in fact, I could easily sum it up in 4 words: You have no choice! But that leaves me with little to write about, so here we go:

Reason #1: Your industry demands it.

Reason #1: Your industry demands it.

Chances are there is some form of regulatory body or industry standard that have to be adhered to in your area of business, regardless of what that industry may be. If you don’t play by the rules then you do not get to play in the sandbox with the other kids!

Most industries have standards and regulations that must be followed by any organizations performing operations within that given industry, and these regulations and standards must be followed at a minimum. It’s up to the organization’s leadership team to determine if they will reach over and above that minimum standard, which of course they should to get maximum benefit out of their program.

In the aviation industry for example, you have the regulations set forth by the transportation authority within that country, such as the FAA in the US, or Transport Canada here in my neck of the woods. Then there is also AS9100 which is essentially ISO 9001 with some aviation specific content added in.

Manufacturing will also have its industry standards depending on the type of manufacturing and product being produced, such as automotive, electronics or metals, just to name a few. All of these will have a versions of ISO 9001, again with some industry specific content incorporated.

I could go on with endless examples, but I think you get the picture. Whether its government or industry regulated, quite simply, if your company does not follow the industry rules and regulations that have been set in place in order to maintain a standard level of quality, then you are out of business before you even offer your first product or service.

Which leads us back to my 4 keywords mentioned earlier…You have no choice!

Reason #2: Your clients and customers demand it.

Now, if the first reason wasn’t convincing enough then I hope this one makes more of a case for the importance of implementing a quality management system within your organization.

If your client, or possible client, dictates that they will only do business with organizations that have a quality system in place that conforms to a minimum standard, then as in the case stated in reason #1, you would be wise to move forward, otherwise you are going to get left out of that sandbox I mentioned earlier. And that means no revenue or profit!

Again, this standard will likely take the form of an ISO standard relevant to that particular industry. The customer may not require your organization to be formally certified, holding a valid ISO certificate issued by an authorized registrar, but you can bet they will want to see you demonstrate a compliant quality system prior to signing off on any contract award. Compliant being the key word here.

This does not simply apply to clients in the form of other organizations offering contracts for products or services supplied by your organization, but the general consumer as well. Of course the general consumer is not looking for proof of a quality management system within the organization producing the product or service they are about to purchase, but will demand it through the use of their wallets. Quality products will produce return customers!

And again, you guessed it…You have no choice!

So as you can see there is much more to the importance of implementing a quality system that is compliant to the relevant industry standards, such as ISO 9001, then reducing waste, streamlining processes, and maintaining continual improvement strategies. Your operations and production processes, which ultimately bring in revenue and profit, simply depend on it!

How QCA Online can help!

We have developed a unique online resource that will have a substantial impact on your business by making it easy for you to set up or improve a quality system that will satisfy client and industry requirements, without the expense of hiring an in-house consultancy firm or sending employees to costly off site training, losing valuable production time. As you know, every organization, without exception, must have a valid quality system in place in order to meet client expectations, regardless of who that client is, and ultimately stay in business.

Our new Online Quality Management Systems Implementation Program is a highly efficient way to implement or improve a quality management system within your organization that is based on, and compliant with, the world’s most recognized quality standard, ISO 9001 (certification is not required), train as many of your staff or management personnel as you wish without putting a dent in your training budget, receive “on-demand” assistance from an experienced and certified management professional to help you implement your new system and get all the quality documentation you require to help your business run effectively with little disruption to production or operations. This is truly a unique and effective way to get your quality system up and running easily and quickly!

Click here to learn more about the program