Compliance to ISO (International Standards Organization) quality management standards such as ISO 9001: 2008 and ISO 14001/18001 become increasingly necessary in today’s business world. Customers and stakeholders consider it a sign that a company is responsible and forward-thinking. Companies use it to make sure they meet the needs of their customers with the highest possible quality level. Is your company ISO certified? If not, there is no doubt that you should be. But where do you start? A good consulting firm can answer your questions and even manage the entire quality management process for you. There are several benefits to outsourcing your quality management system.
Knowledge
ISO standards are complex and frequently updated. If you do not know exactly what you are doing, the implementation process can be arduous and maintaining compliance can be a nightmare. ISO certification requires frequent internal and external audits to ensure correct compliance. It makes sense to have a team of dedicated and specially trained individuals making sure you hit the mark. They will know where to start, how to document, what to audit and when to update. If you already have a quality management system in place, a consulting firm can help you improve and refine your processes as well as perform all of your internal audits and supplier audits in the future. Remember: more knowledge equals less risk.
Resources
If you are thinking about implementing a quality management system, you are probably part of a business. If you are in business, you are good at something – maybe even the best at something. Your competitive advantage lies in your core competencies and outsourcing your quality management system will allow you to focus on them. Allowing a consulting firm to handle the system for you will provide a better overall value for your customers.
Cost savings
It may sound counter-intuitive, but outsourcing your quality management system has significant cost advantages. Outsourcing the work eliminates the need to provide intense ISO training to your staff or hire a high-priced, full-time staff of ISO experts. You do not have to worry about employment turnover and maintain competency in a specialized area. Using an off-site consulting firm will eliminate the overhead of additional equipment and office space.
In addition to the obvious hard cost savings, outsourcing your quality management system will give you the benefit of a known, set price. Implementing a complex and specialized system such as ISO 9000 without skilled, experienced individuals means unexpected delays, costs and setbacks. When you hire a consulting firm, you agree to a price up front, so there are no surprises and you can plan your budged accordingly.
The benefits of outsourcing your quality management system are abundant. Utilizing an outside consulting firm ensures less risk, faster implementation, fewer hassles, lower cost and overall better results. Delivering quality is what keeps you in business and its imperative that you manage it well. Who better to do that than a company who focuses on it all day, every day?
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