Getting ISO9001 certification is a big goal for many small businesses. And it can be a daunting task. Where to start? Who should lead? What to do? How to create a system?
Unfortunately, most small businesses overestimate the requirements and consequently, overengineer their systems. This is mainly due to two reasons:
1. They lack the internal knowledge (and resources) to truly understand ISO9001, its requirements and how to apply it specifically to their business.
2. They get bad (and expensive) advice.
Our goal is to help small businesses build simple, concise and effective quality systems that:
- AREN’T overdocumented,
- AREN’T hard to understand,
- AREN’T hard to maintain,
but also,
- ARE ISO9001 compliant,
- ARE effective,
- ARE resulting in better product quality,
- ARE resulting in a better customer experience,
Beware the massive consulting firms offering “free templates” to build a flimsy quality system that will not be compliant (because you won’t be able to apply what you’ve just documented).
And beware anyone who tells you to first “start by writing down everything you do”. This is a myth.
Looking for big credentials and legitimate advice from a highly respected expert with decades of experience and a passion for helping small businesses create systems that are not only compliant with ISO9001, but truly beneficial to operations?
As a member of TAG/TC176, the organization representing the US in the maintenance of the ISO9001 International Standard, I am an ambassador and true believer in the importance of a sound quality system for all businesses. And I have the benefit of having worked across a broad range of operations – automotive (metal stamping, coil steel, CNC machining, plastics, injection molding, blow molding, thermoplastic extrusion, heat treat, plating, painting, packaging), aerospace, defense, electronics/electrical, consumer products, environmental services, lead acid battery recycling (secondary lead smelting), commercial construction, logistics and transportation.
If your business needs help building its ISO9001 compliant quality system, or rebuilding one that’s just gotten too messy, contact me, and let’s get to work.