What is ISO?
ISO certification comes from a third-party certification body to demonstrate that a company runs in line with international standards. The ISO publish the standards and are an independent, non-governmental organisation. Standards exist to help ensure the quality and safety of products and services globally.
Organisations often look to implement a standard when they are seeking to expand or trying to enter new markets.
The main benefits of ISO include:
- Better internal management
- Increase in efficiency, productivity, and profit
- Improved customer retention and acquisition
- Consistent outcomes, measured and monitored
In this blog, we will cover the benefits of hiring a consultant and tips for selecting the right one.
Making the Investment
Many organisations are apprehensive to work with a consultant as after all, you know your business better than anyone else, right?
Although you may believe that implementing the management system in-house is the most cost-effective option and makes the most sense, it’s worth factoring in time, resource, and competency.
All too often, the implementation stage can be overlooked, and other priorities take over. The process is then delayed and is harder to pick back up again when it comes round to it. You also pose the risk of missing things when implementing the management system yourself. This is less likely to happen if you have an experienced consultant at hand to guide you through the process and support throughout.
Implementing a management system that aligns with the day-to-day activities of your business is not an easy task and will require you to be well-led. With this in mind, it’s important if you do decide to use a consultant, to spend time doing your due diligence and ensure they are the right fit for your company.
Meeting your Needs
Depending on where you are in your certification process, there are several ways a consultant can help you. For instance, if you are starting from scratch, a consultant can conduct a gap analysis to help identify what needs to be done prior to implementation.
Based on your requirements, it’s sensible to assess whether the consultant has a vast amount of experience, in both consultancy and your industry.
Decide whether you want your consultant to come onsite to work with you or if you prefer everything to be done virtually. Some questions worth asking: where is the consultant based? Are they willing to travel to your location if needed? Do they charge extra for expenses such as mileage or is this included in their day rate?
Reputation and Credibility
Word of mouth is extremely powerful, and you may find a consultant through your peers. Ask them whether they have had any positive experiences or recommendations.
As tempting as it may be to use the first consultant that promises a quick turnaround, it’s worth getting a few quotes to assess your options.
If the consultant has a website, profile on Google, or Trustpilot account, take the time to search for reviews and read them. This will help you gain insight into their clients’ experiences and can help you decide if you want to work with them.
Advantages of Using an ISO Consultant
Expect to benefit from:
- A ‘fresh pair of eyes’ meaning new opportunities for improvement and reducing the likelihood of anything being missed
- Delivery of service within a specified time frame – your consultant will agree a date to work towards and won’t be distracted by other tasks as opposed to having someone implement a management system in house.
- Expertise – consultants bring you a wealth of knowledge and insight into ‘best-practice’ and effective solutions that have worked elsewhere in industry whilst tailoring your management system so it is bespoke for your company.
Get a Free Quote
Candy Management Consultants are a friendly team of experts within the ISO and Health and Safety industries. We serve clients nationwide and make sure all our services are provided promptly and have an 100% success rate.
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