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How your business can benefit from the ISO 9001 Accreditation

4th Sep 2013
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Small, growing businesses can face an uphill struggle when it comes to establishing themselves as a loyal and reputable company. While determination and support can be beneficial to short-term progress, the quickest route to business expansion lies with proof of value and quality which can earn a growing business the trust of clients and public alike. 

What is an ISO 9001 accreditation?

The ISO 9001 in its simplest terms is a mark of credibility and authority and acquiring this can provide up and coming businesses with the best possible start in the industry. Any company can wax lyrical about their brilliant services and products but without any certified proof, clients and potential purchasers cannot be sure of quality. This stamp of approval promotes a well-run business which can help cement status within the sector as a consistent and reliable company.

How is an ISO 9001 obtained?

Companies of any size can be eligible for an ISO 9001 accreditation and is traditionally used by - though not limited to -manufacturing and production-based industries. Before it can be obtained, you will be actively looking at ways to improve overall efficiency in your business, ironing out everything from how you liaise with customers in handling feedback to reducing waste and lowering costs wherever you can. Proving you can manage all elements of business in a systematic fashion demonstrates professionalism and capability. This is what will attract larger companies in the long run.

Business benefits

Acquiring the ISO 9001 can prove a tremendous boon to business in many ways from improving equity to perfecting overall business structure by helping streamline management. An improved business ethic will encourage confidence and productivity in staff in the knowledge that they have a clear and well thought-out process to follow. An ISO 9001 will also make things simple and far more convenient for start-up businesses. As a company that is able to verify proof of quality and efficiency, you will no longer require outside surveyor checks to be carried out within your establishment - the accreditation speaks for itself!

Value for money?

The old adage ‘it costs money to make money’ is a relevant cliché in the case of ISO 9001 - it is an investment into the future of your company and one that can generate invaluable contracts on the back of your quality and reputation. So how does it work? An accredited body will assess company paperwork to ensure the stated changes have been made. These consultations can run up annual costs of £3,000 which, in the grand scheme of things, amounts to very little.

In our eyes, a guarantee of quality is priceless if it means your business is given the structure and strength to compete with the contemporaries in your field. Certified quality promotes respect and builds trustworthy relationships in business. An ISO 9001 accreditation is a worthwhile investment for young companies of the future. Embrace the ISO 9001 today and reap the benefits of a competent and structurally sound business.

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Replies (4)

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Man of Kent
By Kent accountant
04th Sep 2013 15:29

I'm not convinced

Is it really that valuable to small business, by which I mean Micro businesses using the FSB definitiion (0-9 employees)?

All bar one of my clients fit this Micro business definition and I'm not convinced that ISO 9001 would make a significant differences to them.

Yes I understand how some tender criteria may require ISO accreditations and how some Government and Corporate bodies will require it for business to become 'approved suppliers'. That's a fairly select area and usually only relevant to bigger businesses.

But is it really relevant to me and most of my clients?

I certainly wouldn't be prepared to pay £3,000 for the benefit as it wouldn't add value to my business. I've never been asked by a potential client if I have any ISO's.

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By isoinabox
04th Sep 2013 17:32

I'm not convinced

Thanks for your comments, If you are that small then this may not be be for you, there are are many companies that have grown from this investment and have been able to have something that helps people make up their mind weather or not to  use that company. It is always a good idea as well to seek advice to help you with this decision. thanks 

 

 

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By User deleted
05th Sep 2013 09:53

Problem with ISO ...

Is that is a process based assessment rather than a competence/ability measure

Provided that the paper-flow is in the right direction and the box-ticking is all in order then ISO is happy

But it does not reflect competence or the ability to do the job and this is where it is totally misleading giving rise to the comment '.. An accredited body will assess company paperwork to ensure the stated changes have been made ..' - assess company paperwork ???????

And with areas such as IT - just look at the track records of some of the Government contractors on system such as NHS, the latest Universal Credits and the ensuing disasters (IBM, HP, Accenture and BT etc.) - all of whom one would assume are ISO registered

As an aside - why oh! why is Accenture, with their track record (and being spun out of Arthur Andersens - remember Enron?) allowed anywhere near Government IT contracts - Of course they are ISO certified - EH! mockery of the whole process

Has anyone ever been 'kicked out' of ISO and if so, why is Accenture still certified

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Man of Kent
By Kent accountant
05th Sep 2013 09:57

Ok

I understand ISO's have a place for some businesses, especially those that have few regulatory reporting and compliance requirements.

However most firms of accountants are members a professional body. Those bodies have both regulatory and compliance requirements and regular checks. For potential clients they would be far more interested in whether their potential accountant was a member of a CCAB body than whether they had certain ISO's.

 

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