Are you finding it harder to lock in tenders and contracts? Is the list of tender requirements getting longer? Is this affecting your bottom line? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to these questions, it is time to implement a Quality Assurance Management system in Queensland. Increasingly, we are seeing major organisations asking for ISO 9001 Quality Assurance certification before proceeding. And there’s a good reason for this.
Meeting The Same Criteria
Most major manufacturers and retailers have themselves implemented quality assurance systems, to better meet customer demands. Clearly any organisation chosen to work with them must meet the same criteria. Research shows that customer loyalty is built by consistently providing quality products and excellent customer service. In fact, most shoppers say they will pay more for quality. Without a defined quality management structure in place, this is impossible to guarantee. But, by working with a professional quality assurance consultant, you can implement a cost-effective solution and quickly reap the rewards.
First Step Towards Change
Before you do anything, you must understand that this is a major step, that requires a commitment by the business owner, the full support of all staff and, of course, a financial investment. This is generally the point where smaller organisations say ‘no’, as they are already struggling to make ends meet. And that’s why we use the word ‘investment’. Implementing an ISO 9001 system, and achieving certification, is probably the best investment you’ll ever make in your business. It offers many benefits to organisations of all sizes.
Time To Be Brutal
The best Quality Assurance Management system in Queensland is one that makes good use of your existing systems. There’s no point reinventing the wheel. However, your approach to your existing systems should be brutal! You only want to do this once. At this stage there are two options. The first – and the cheapest in the short-term – is to implement the system yourself. But bear in mind this is a major undertaking, and will take you out of the workplace equation for some time. Unless you are an expert in International Standards generally – and ISO 9001 in particular – you will need to do a great deal of research first. You then need to draw up the new system, implement it, train all staff, audit and, finally, try and achieve certification.
Choose A Quality Assurance Consultant
Or, for a relatively small investment, you can choose option 2, and hire a quality assurance consultant. There will still be a need for you and your management team to have an input, and the whole process will take up a chunk of your time. However, working with an ISO consultant ensures you get it right first time. Their knowledge and experience, of both ISO 9001 and current legislation, will mean your system will be spot on from Day 1. This saves time, and therefore money.
Understanding Your Business
There’s a very definite process to follow here, and it will start with an in-depth discussion with your quality assurance consultant. The consultant needs to understand you and your business; where you are now, and where you want to be. Then by scrutinising your current management systems, they will pick which bits are working, and which bits need to be improved. It’s important to remember that any ISO management system, be it quality assurance, workplace safety, or environmental management, is an ongoing process. Whilst implementing a solid framework, it is also necessary to review and tweak on an ongoing basis.
Getting Everyone Onboard
Once your new quality assurance management system is in place, training will be required throughout the organisation. It is so important that all employees are on board with this. Implementation also demands a greater input from your management team, and that’s a good thing. This will free up your time to work on the big picture. A quality assurance consultant can take your team through the whole process, including internal auditor training.
Time To Audit
To achieve ISO certification, you will be assessed – or audited – by an external body. However, with internal audits in place, you can better prepare, and then maintain performance. It is quite common for organisations to train some staff as internal auditors, to report to management, as part of ongoing monitoring. The benefits of implementing a quality assurance management system in Queensland are also ongoing. And that’s why it’s called quality ‘assurance’ rather than quality control. Whilst quality control is still important, it’s quality assurance that will better save you money and build your brand in the long term.
Reap The Rewards
The whole point is to stop mistakes before they happen. Why? Because getting it wrong – and having to re-do it – costs money, time, and materials. It will also damage your reputation and lose you customers. Offering consistently great quality, however, will boost your reputation, win you new customers – especially through word-of-mouth – and boost staff morale. It’s a win-win situation all round. It’s really just a case of putting everything in perspective and realising that an investment of time and money now, will pay off big time in the future.
