There is no doubt about it, times are tough. The global pandemic has decimated sales forecasts and brought about uncertainty to all businesses, both small and large. This period calls for strong business leadership and an understanding of what is truly important for your clients. In times when only a few things are certain, having a quality policy can provide consistency and reliability in a turbulent world.
You’re probably familiar with the old adage, failing to plan is planning to fail. Yet, many owners leave one of their most important features to chance. Providing consistent and measurable quality to your clients is a vital element of maintaining a strong client base and building your brand’s reputation.
Why the fuss on quality?
Quality is an often misunderstood term in business. Some assume that having something of quality automatically means owning something which is expensive. Whilst this may be the case sometimes, more often than not, the meaning of quality changes according to the business’ values.
If a business provides low-cost furniture, providing quality would mean delivering cost-effective and functional products which do the job they were designed for. They might not look fantastic or be made with the most expensive materials, but if they match the company’s brand and promises, then they are quality products.
What is a quality policy?
A quality policy is an important element in the operations of any business. In essence, it is a commitment by the company to deliver the same level of quality to all customers every time. This policy is normally built upon the core values of the business. It consists of measurable objectives and targets which are used to reveal whether quality is being maintained or not.
ISO 9001:2015 is an international standard focusing on quality management systems. A business which is certified to this standard is one which has:
- Developed its quality policy and has made it available to all interested stakeholders, including staff and clients.
- A policy which matches the company’s strategic direction.
- A policy which is periodically reviewed and updated to stay in line with the company’s evolving strategic direction.
The ISO 9001:2015 standard provides guidance but does not dictate precisely what a company’s quality policy should entail. As a result, it is suitable for all businesses, no matter the size or scope of their operations.
Becoming ISO 9001:2015 certified
Obtaining this well-known quality standard is a milestone which businesses share proudly with their customers and followers. STEP continues to assist its clients to obtain this and other ISO certifications using a structured and proven process. Whether simply reviewing your quality policy or helping you create one from scratch, our team has the necessary skills and experience to help your business achieve its quality ambitions.
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