© Copyright Nostre Net
Small businesses are stressful to lead. Why? Because a small group of people is looking for so many work functions simultaneously, like government regulations, laws, production and sales, supply chains, financial issues, quality problems, the workforce, etc. Now, what can lead a small business to a sustainable and continuously growing organization are consistent quality services. Consistency in workflows, quality, and processes will allow small businesses to think about the improvement of their businesses.
If an SME (small- to medium-sized enterprise) keeps on struggling with its routine quality issues, then there are far fewer chances for the business to sustain and grow. Thus, the most beneficial tool for an SME to attain sustainability in its processes is ISO 9001 certification. A small business can benefit significantly from the systematic process approach that the ISO 9001 standard provides
Why ISO 9001 certification?
The ISO 9001 standard is a basic framework for any organization – large or small – to ensure a good Quality Management System (QMS). The purposes of the standard are to allow a company to provide higher levels of customer satisfaction, along with consistently supplying products or services that meet customer requirements, as well as to achieve business goals and targets and to maximize profitability. ISO 9001 Certification Body can help a small business in business process consistency and supplier relations.
Examples of how ISO 9001 helps SMEs:
ISO 9001 certification requires the business to ensure that all materials are purchased from suppliers that have been evaluated based on quality criteria, and these suppliers must be re-evaluated at defined intervals to ensure ongoing material quality and consistent supply chains.
ISO 9001 certification can help SMEs to increase their business – and eventually, their profitability – by building up a business with the customers for whom certification is a contractual requirement.
ISO 9001 allows SMEs to gain a clear understanding of their business by gathering all of the valuable business information and data mandated by the various standard requirements. Some examples include risk management processes, the context of the organization, customer feedback, and reviews, results of internal audits and management reviews, analysis of corrective actions, product or service complaints, etc.
ISO 9001 provides the basis to develop a system that increases confidence in the company’s stability while providing reliable, recorded information and data to identify and move forward with potential improvements.
See more details about ISO 9001 as a business management system in this article: ISO 9001: Why it should be viewed as a business management system.
As ISO 9001 is a Quality Management System standard, which is a business development opportunity, let’s see how it can benefit the SME financially. To see some challenges that might come up while implementing ISO 9001, read this article: The 3 key challenges of ISO 9001 implementation for SMEs.
Financial benefits of ISO 9001 certification
ISO 9001:2015 Certification increases business opportunities with potential clients, as well as international business. Some companies do business only with ISO-certified companies, so a business that has an ISO certification will get preference over those that do not. That means that a certified SME will get more business and, therefore, more revenue. Further on, consistent production operations and fewer product failures cut down on quality costs, resulting in more profitability. Consistent quality in products or services leads to higher customer retention rates and increases customer confidence in the business, which leads to the enhancement of the business and eventually results in financial growth.
Increased revenue is the byproduct of ISO 9001 certification. It directly helps the business to develop a sustainable Quality Management System that results in better financial performance by the organization.
Employees benefits in ISO 9001 certification
ISO 9001:2015 Certification requires the organization to define organizational structures, roles, and responsibilities; to ensure competence and awareness, and to provide a suitable work environment for operations. If an organization (SME) fulfills all the requirements of the standard related to human resources, this results in higher employee satisfaction and motivation. People love to work in an organization where they are treated well, listened to and allowed to participate, and anticipate personal growth. ISO 9001 certification requires all of the above-mentioned qualities to be fulfilled, so an SME with ISO 9001 certification is likely to be a better place to work for employees as compared to other conventional small businesses without ISO.
Customer benefits in ISO 9001 certification
The ISO 9001 standard is based on the basic quality management principles of meeting customer requirements and striving to exceed customer expectations. A customer always looks for quality in a product and quality in service. It’s not only the product quality that encourages a customer to buy again and again; it is also the customer experience that persuades a customer to return. An ISO 9001-certified business increases customer confidence because the customer knows that he is dealing with an internationally certified company. As the first quality management principle states, this is the key feature that allows a small business to stand out amongst a large number of companies with no such certifications.
Employer benefits in ISO 9001 certification
One key benefit that has been discussed above is getting potential contracts. An ISO 9001 Certification Body increases its likelihood of getting potential contracts when that ISO certification is a requirement. Also, from my experience, customer satisfaction increases for an ISO-certified organization. An ISO-certified SME can identify and resolve customer issues quickly, intelligently, and more efficiently, and it can do so even before delivering its product or services to the customer. In a small business, the optimal use of resources saves a lot. And, if an ISO Certification For Quality Management is truly implemented, then the company saves a lot by reducing wasted time, money, and effort. Running an ISO 9001 system can help a business to manage its resources effectively and identify opportunities where savings can be found and actions can be taken. The higher turnover, optimized production costs, and improved brand reputation will eventually turn into employer benefits.
How To Get ISO 9001 Certification
Some of the benefits of ISO Certification For Quality Management are given below:
1.Improved quality and service
2.Higher potential for clients and contracts
3.Structured and efficient processes management
4.Gives more satisfaction and retention to our customers
5.trusted and esteemed data and results about the business
6.Better business reputation
7.Consistent processes
8.Improves business turnover
All organizations which are certified to any one of the ISO standards have the right to display their ISO certification. But there are certain rules and regulations should be followed by the organization to display the ISO certification.
Through this article, we will take you in right path to display the ISO certification.
Introduction to ISO certification
What is ISO certification? It is a process of verifying an organization that it has met all the requirements for the specific ISO criteria. This globally recognized certification establishes the organization’s involvement in providing high-quality services to the customers. It helps the organizations to meet customer expectations consistently.
Who provides ISO certification? It is provided by the third-party certification body which is accredited to issue management system certificates. Not everyone can provide ISO certification. Only accredited bodies can provide ISO certificates. Also, keep in mind, ISO neither performs conformity assessments nor provide ISO certification.
Benefits of certifying to ISO
From implementing the process to satisfying the customers, ISO certification lots of benefits to the organization. Here are some of them:
Ensure customer satisfaction
Continual improvement in the quality of products, process, and system
Well-designed internal management
Satisfied employees
Improve process efficiency
Enhance stakeholders confidence
Creates new business opportunities
Positive reputation
Global recognition and so on.
How to display a certificate?
Don’t forget! Here is the simple tip you should follow while labeling your product or system which is certified to an ISO standard.
Never mention just ‘ISO certified’ or ‘ISO certification’
Specify the ISO standard you have implemented and achieved certification for it. For example: ‘ISO 9001:2015 certified’ or ‘ISO 9001:2015 certification’
Rules and regulations to display the ISO certification
ISO certification plays an important role in promoting a business’s productivity as well as profitability.
A specific product can’t hold an ISO certificate
ISO certification ensures the effective implementation of your management system. It helps the management system to develop and provide quality products and services to the customers. For example ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system or ISO 22000:2018 certified food safety management system. ISO certifications are management system certifications.
Use the correct standard form
While displaying the certification, you can just say ISO 9000 certified company. Because ISO 9000 is not a standard, it is a guidance document.
Never change the scope of the certification
The ISO certification is only applied to the management system process specified in the scope of the certification. If you achieved the certification for all the processes carried out in your organization, you can promote them as ISO certified.
Who are allowed to use ISO logos?
Not everyone is allowed to use the ISO logo. It is a registered trademark which cannot be used by anyone outside of ISO. But some are exceptional to use this ISO logo. The authorized ISO members and ISO technical committees (TCs) can use the ISO logo in accordance with ISO policies (as per ISO.org).
Do’s and don’ts while portraying ISO certification
Use the completed name of the standard such as ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 14001:2015. Don’t use just ISO 9001 certified or ISO 14001 certified.
Don’t say ISO accredited organization. There is no such thing!
No one can use the logos owned by ISO, unless authorized
You can mention your certification body
Don’t mention ISO certified products.