In the next video from the educational series launched by STEP for its viewers on YouTube, Stefan Debono breaks down the most important benefits and costs that organisations should consider before applying for ISO certification.
ISO-certified business can attract higher-quality clients, compete more successfully for prestigious contracts, and raise their profile in the international market. The video highlights the funding opportunities available for businesses in Malta to become ISO certified and save €2,500 on consultancy and up to 75% on certification fees if they apply before 30th November 2020.
Halfway through the video, Stefan also identifies three common benefits that companies typically experience while undergoing ISO certification. It’s a good idea to review these benefits so that your team knows what to expect during the process.
1. Improved structure and processes review
Many company owners rarely get a moment to sit down with their management team and reflect on their organisation’s inner workings. During the certification process, you’ll have the opportunity to study your company systems objectively and figure out ways to improve them in line with international guidelines.
2. Better assigned roles and responsibilities
The full potential of ISO certification can be unlocked when the entire organisation is actively involved in the process. By clarifying the duties of every team member, people will learn how their contribution fits into the bigger picture.
3. Clearer traceability and information flow
A critical part of the certification journey is documenting how information flows throughout the company and creating accountability systems to trace it more effectively at different stages of your processes.
Despite what many people might think when they hear about “business change”, from an operational perspective, the level of disruption expected from this process is minimal.
As ISO consultants, we don’t seek to reinvent the wheel at your organisation. Instead, we work within your current structure and use it as the starting point to build better systems according to ISO standards.
Making sense of costs associated with ISO certification
The typical costs involved with ISO certification can be divided into two broad categories:
- Consultancy. This depends on the size of the company, the sector, and the complexity of its processes.
- Certification fees. This depends on the certification body at which one applies for ISO certification and the type and number of standards the organisation wants to implement.
Currently, Maltese businesses can avail themselves of state funding opportunities that offer them a tax credit when undertaking training activities such as certification courses. As mentioned above, this benefit is valid for €2,500 on consulting and up to 75% of certification body fees. Clients should ideally apply for funding schemes after they achieve ISO certification by the deadline of 30th November 2020.
