ISO Quality Services March 2015 Newsletter

17 Mar, 2015

Welcome to the ISO Quality Services Ltd March 2015 Newsletter, we hope that this month is treating you well!

In the past month there has been all the hysteria surrounding that dress, a fracas involving Jeremy Clarkson has resulted in a petition to reinstate him and a sad incident involving 8 French nationals losing their lives in a 2 helicopter crash in Argentina.

Congratulations to our Newly Certificated Clients

Logo-FWfroupCMYK - FOR BUDDYFWG Sales Limited

Formed in 2007 and located in Chester, FWG Sales Limited provide retailers with access to quality imported and UK sourced bedroom products.

On Wednesday 4th February 2015, FWG Sales Limited were presented with their ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard certificate.

Although a relatively young company, FWG Sales Limited have built up an excellent reputation which has culminated in them now working with some of the biggest bedroom products stockists.

FWG Sales Limited - Presentation Photo 04.02.15

Lead Assessor, Steve Sefton (Left) presenting Malcolm Hunt, Finance Director (Middle) and Gary Bodell, Quality Manager (Right) with their ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard Certificate.

Client logo (website version)Managed Waste Solutions Limited

Managed Waste Solutions are a Warwickshire based company that were established in 2007 and specialise in the provision of Waste Management Services across all Business Sectors.

On Friday 27th February 2015, Managed Waste Solutions Limited were presented with their ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard Certificate.

Upskilling becoming more imperative

New research has made the case for the urgent upskilling of current employees according to the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA).Tim Balcon, CEO of IEMA said: “In the new business world, environment and sustainability can no longer be a bolt on; it needs to be part of businesses’ DNA”.

The published report states that only 13% of businesses are fully confident they have the skills to compete in an ever changing economy.

Employing new members to your workforce is one way to gain new skills for your business, but to remain truly competitive; the advice is to upskill your existing employees too.

Upskilling also results in employees being more motivated when they are given meaningful and relevant training. This potentially means a higher employee retention rate and so avoiding costly and time-consuming recruitment procedures.

Additionally, employees will become better prepared and more suitable for promotion. Promoting from within is often preferable as both parties will know how each other work and the employee gains a sense of security and commitment from being promoted.

Here are some more worrying facts found:

  • 25% of employees had received upskilling training
  • 85% say their employers don’t offer any compulsory training
  • 40% said they had actually been discouraged from undertaking training due to workload and time constraints.

There are however various employee development programmes that can take place out of work hours including:

  • Industry specific qualifications;
  • Vocational qualifications, both work-based and sector-specific;
  • MBAs for postgraduates with several years’ work experience; and
  • Non-qualification based training, including:
    • Basic numeracy and literacy;
    • Time management; and
    • Using specific business equipment or software.
Upskilling

Changes to the way Class 2 NICs are collected

Class 2 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are paid by all self-employed taxpayers unless they qualify for the small earnings exemption or other exemptions which remove the necessity to pay NICs.

At present these payments are paid by direct debit and are paid either bi-annually or quarterly but after the last 2014/15 payment is made, this is going to change.

After this point the Class 2 NIC will be brought into line with the Self-Assessment Income Tax and Class 4 NICs. Therefore, the first payment for the 2015/16 year is due on 31 January 2017. By doing so, the government are seeking to make the collection of Class 2 NICs easier to understand.

Also changing is that Class 2 NICs will only be mandatory to those self-employed who have profits over a profits threshold. Self-employed persons with profits under this threshold or that have no profits will only have to pay this form of NICs voluntarily.

Source: Apple Accountants

Opening up front rooms as communal office spaces

As cloud computing becomes more and more popular, a new new trend started to surface, the crowd-sourcing of free working spaces in the homes of its participants. Working from home, on the move or in a café can result in becoming easily distracted and even lonely. For those who use cloud computing, this is meant to solve this issue.

Those interested sign up to the Hoffice community via Facebook, which links them with other home workers in their area. From there they can decide to either host or attend a Hoffice event. The main aim of this is to create a sociable working environment that encourages productivity without the isolation. Work time is split up into 45 minute segments with 15 minute breaks for exercise, conversation or refreshments.

There is a structure to the day but members can go at their own pace if necessary. These events are free but participants are asked to contribute towards costs. Although mainly confined to Scandinavia, there has been growing interest from workers in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

Source: Springwise

work_at_home1

Protect the future of your business NOW!

The ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management Standard is a relatively new standard but businesses are quickly becoming to appreciate its strengths.

In a report compiled by the British Continuity Institute (BCI), here are the top 10 perceived threats to businesses in 2015:

  1. Cyber-attack
  2. Unplanned IT and telecoms outages
  3. Data breach – static
  4. Interruption to utility supply
  5. Supply chain disruption
  6. Security incidents
  7. Adverse weather
  8. Human illness
  9. Fire
  10. Acts of terrorism

A worrying trend that was also highlighted was that despite these threats a significant amount of businesses do not employ any kind of business continuity strategy to protect their businesses future.

As mentioned earlier, the ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management Standard is becoming ever more popular and this is illustrated by the fact that 53% of those businesses surveyed utilising this as a strategy to safeguard their business. Additionally, 71% said that they plan to align their business activities with the ISO 22301.

Source: The BCI

Top tips for document storage

The storing of documents is something that most if not all firms undertake, here are some top tips to make this process a little more easier:

1. Choose the right storage facility.
Looking at elements such as location, efficiency, tracking & auditing as well as security is vitally important.

2. Decide what to keep.
Firstly, all records should be indexed and classified in terms of how it should be retained, how and when it needs to be accessed and when it can be destroyed. The latter is very important as data protection compliance needs to be taken into account. This will also potentially reduce storage costs.

3. Pack carefully.
Documents need to be easy to retrieve so labelling of material as well as a contents list for all stored documents is recommended.

4. Complete review of the storage strategy and what is in storage.
This needs to be done periodically so as to ensure that it is working efficiently and is in keeping with legislation.

Source: PHS

 ISO Training Services Update

ISO Training Services

As an independent organisation, we understand how important training is to a company and have seen first-hand the boost to morale, profits, customer satisfaction and employee loyalty.

We are also aware that delivering high quality services, consistently, is a challenge for any organisation which is why we aim to make it easier for you.

Our courses are intensive but fully interactive sessions, which focus on the important element of training – the end application!

After a successful start to our training year – we now have the below courses to offer:

 

iso14001banDENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER TRAINING

Date:   26 March 2015

Cost: £295 + VAT per delegate

An ISO 14001 environmental management system is a systematic and process driven approach to controlling those aspects of your business that have a significant impact on the environment. The system is proven to make business owners and managers be more aware of their environmental responsibilities, including legal and regulatory accountabilities, and being able to manage and control the associated risks.

Our Environmental Manager training will cover the following key topics, as well as allowing for question & answer sessions on the day:

  •  What is ISO 14001:2004?
  • Principles of Environmental Management
  • The role of an Environmental Manager
  • Using the management system as a strategic tool to identify areas where cost savings can be captured
  • How to monitor the effectiveness of the management system within the company
  • How to integrate ISO into your daily business activities and strategic planning of the Organisation
  • Continuous improvement
  • A guide to internal auditingEnvironmental.png

TENDERING PROCESS TRAININGtendering-banner

Date:   23rd April 2015

Cost:   £350 + VAT per delegate

Why attend this course?

With an increasing number of opportunities being awarded through a tender process, having the right knowledge and skills and making sure you are “fit to bid” has never been so important. So, how do you ensure that the process works for you and that you can put together a compelling bid and win more business?

This engaging one-day course has been developed to provide you with that knowledge, to help you build an effective bidding plan. It enables delegates to gain a thorough understanding of the tender process and in so doing to help them to make headway in removing much of the pain and chance commonly felt amongst organisations when they compete for business via a tender.

Key topics covered

  • Who uses the tender process and why – a public and private sector buyer perspective
  • How does the public procurement process work
  • Expectations of the buyer at the various stages of the process and the implications on the bidder
  • Mandatory, desirable and functional elements to be included in a bid
  • Avoiding pitfalls and risks when selling via a tender process
  • Proactive tender submissions
  • Win or lose, what next?
  • Public procurement terminology

iso22301banA[1]INTERNAL AUDITOR TRAINING

Date:   29 & 30 April 2015

Cost:   £395 + VAT per delegate

Why attend this course?

No quality management system can achieve its potential unless it is constantly monitored and audited. An audit is a review (or a check) of the Management System and its compulsory elements. It is a snapshot of the activities that a company undertakes that prove compliance to the standard at the time of the audit

This interactive 2 day training course will teach you the tools and techniques of the internal auditor.

How to conduct an effective audit and how to use these to achieve continual business process improvement and will assist your staff in identifying any gaps that may challenge the effectiveness of your quality management system.

Our Internal Auditing Training will cover the following key topics, as well as allowing for question & answer sessions on the day: 

  • Principles of ISO
  • The role of the Management Representative
  • Brief overview on the management system to be audited
  • What is the purpose of an audit?
  • How should an audit be approached?
  • Maximise the benefits of monitoring that the procedures are regularly being controlled
  • Find and rectify negative trends, maximise positive trends
  • A practical auditing exercise is undertaken by the delegate on the business, which will be marked

Sounds interesting? Want to know more?

For further details of each course and others that we offer, we have a dedicated training website www.isotrainingservicesltd.com where all of our training information, courses and dates will be available, along with case studies, news articles and Meet the Trainer!

Please take the time to visit us!

To book your place please call 01905 670303 or email our Training Co-ordinator debbie@isoqsltd.com

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE A CURRENT CLIENT OF ISO QUALITY SERVICES YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A DISCOUNT ON ALL OUR COURSES…PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS

Growth AcceleratorISO Training Services

Be part of our LinkedIn community

If you haven’t joined already – what are you waiting for?

ISO news, training updates and offers, meet the ISO QSL team and connect with other like-minded individuals

Visit us at: ISO QSL LinkedIn Company page

Networking events in March – April 2015

455815215_640Breakfast & Networking Meeting: Going for Growth: Bumper March Finditinworcestershire event!

Date: 17.03.2015

Cost: FREE

Time: 6.45 am to 12.00 pm

Venue: Worcester Warrior’s Sixways Stadium, Warrior’s Way, Worcester, WR3 8ZE

Website: Finditinworcestershire

Event Description

Guest speaker, Ben Hunt Davis MBE competed at three Olympic Games, winning an Olympic Gold Medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, as well as being part of the HQ staff of Team GB in Beijing 2008 and in London 2012. Ben now delivers inspirational speeches to groups ranging from 5 to 2500 people and runs Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Ltd with Tom Barry, a company that takes Olympic-winning strategies and helps apply them to your career, business and life beyond to achieve measurable performance improvement and habitual excellence.

As well as Finditinworcestershire’s renowned open networking and exhibition stands, our Going for Growth: Bumper Finditinworcestershire meeting will be extended until lunchtime, in which time attendees can take part in workshops.

Chamber Logo - BirminghamBirmingham Chamber of Commerce Networking Lunch

Date: 20.03.2015

Cost: £18 Member, £25 Non-member

Time: 12.15 pm to 2.00 pm

Venue: St. Johns House , 28 St. Johns Street , Lichfield, WS13 6PB

Website: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Event Description

This newly formed business event has quickly established a reputation as the ‘The Must Go to Business Professional Networking Event’ in the area.  Successful and positive feedback has persuaded the Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber of Commerce to assist businesses by hosting this forum on a monthly basis.

Chamber Logo - BirminghamBirmingham Chamber of Commerce Showcase Breakfast

Date: 24.03.2015

Cost: £15 Member, £22.50 Non-Member

Time: 8 am to 10.30 am

Venue: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, 75 Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3DH

Website: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Event Description

Are you ….

  • wanting to increase your professional network?
  • looking to raise your company profile?
  • launching a new product or service?
  • seeking business advice?
  • in need of a new supplier?
  • looking to create business partnerships?

If so, this popular event provides a great platform to introduce you and your company.

After breakfast, delegates will have the opportunity to address the room for two minutes. Whilst we are aware that speaking in-front of others may not be your ‘thing’, it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business. You are welcome to attend even if you do not wish to speak.

Are you a client of ours? Would you recommend our services to your clients / suppliers…why not refer a friend?

Win a case of wine worth £1,000Receive a free case of wine or a £50 Marks & Spencer’s Voucher…..the choice is yours!

(To qualify for this you must refer a successful lead).

To offer your referrals please contact – admin@isoqsltd.com or call 01905 670 303

ISO Quality Services Ltd are proud to specialise in the implementation and certification of the Internationally recognised ISO and BS EN Management Standards.

Do you want to get ahead of your competition? Win more tenders or save time and money on reoccurring issues? Contact us today on 0330 058 5551 or email info@isoqsltd.com.

Alternatively, you can request a quote by filling out our enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

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