4 Aspects of a Better Business With ISO 9001

Successful business leaders know that a good quality management system results in overall efficiency and improvement for the organization.  However, when there is a lack of consistent processes, inefficiency is inevitable.  Without uniformity, audit trails or accountability, it is difficult to identify and fix the gaps in the system, which can result in loss of time and money and not meeting performance objectives.

The ISO 9001 system establishes standards for managers to measure and streamline their processes based on seven quality management principals:

• Customer focus
• Leadership
• Engagement of people
• Process approach
• Improvement
• Evidence based decision making
• Mutually beneficial relationships

Here are four ways ISO 9001 certification can benefit your business.

1. Enhanced Customer Focus
With an emphasis on action, ISO 9001 links company goals to client expectations. Focusing on current and future needs of the client increases customer satisfaction and loyalty while expanding the customer base.

2. Knowledgeable Leadership
When an organization has a unified purpose and direction, team members are able to align their strategies, processes and resources to benefit the business. Top management must be involved and committed, and the quality system supported in the company’s strategic direction. Successful leaders are also able to create an engaging environment where team members are empowered to go above and beyond for the success of the company.

3. Process Approach
Better processes make a better organization. After several enhancements, ISO 9001 is more focused on the process of organizations.

“The earlier versions of ISO 9001 were quite prescriptive, with many requirements for documented procedures and records,” ISO 9001 subcommittee chair Nigel Croft stated in an ISO news article. “In the 2000 and 2008 editions, we focused more on managing processes, and less on documentation. We have now gone a step further, and ISO 9001:2015 is even less prescriptive than its predecessor, focusing instead on performance.”

4. Continuous Improvement
An ongoing focus on improvement is essential for successful businesses. Education and training, building higher goals, tracking projects, and rewarding progress are all ways to promote progress throughout the organization. Doing so allows for improved process performance, organizational competences and customer satisfaction while inspiring innovation.

The ISO 9001 standard serves as a parameter for good practices in every facet of a company. Simplifying processes allows your company to work more efficiently and cost-effectively when you implement ISO standards the right way.

Contact simpleQuE to learn more about ISO 9001 standards and how we can help you meet them.