6 Apr, 2017
Welcome to the April 2017 edition of the ISO Quality Services Ltd Newsletter. What’s been happening this month?
How to achieve the most from your next audit
Debbie Farr announced as Training Director
Last Chance to book on our Internal Auditor course this April
Recapping Brexit and the ISO Standards
An audit is a mandatory part of running an ISO management system, but what can you achieve from having an external auditor reviewing your system?
Picture this – you have recently had an auditor visit your company. They have assessed the evidence you have provided showing that you are following your management system and given you a report. But, what can you do with this report? What can you achieve?
The main achievement you will get from your audit is being able to address areas for improvement. You will have a section in your report in which the auditor will recommend actions you can take to improve your management system, and you can take this advice and follow through with these recommended actions.
Another important aspect of the audit is seeing how suitable your management system is running for your company. You will be able to identify if your system is fit for purpose and continually improving by looking at the feedback you have been provided with in your report.
A major factor of keeping your management system running to its potential is to ensure that everyone is complying with the new policies and procedures you have in place. If there is any part of your system that does not comply as it should, this would be added to your list of non-conformances. You can then work on this so that it doesn’t become an issue in the future.
Part of the audit will be spent looking at how you are progressing to meet your business objectives. You can come away from your audit at the end with fresh knowledge of new objectives to aim for and how you can achieve these.
ISO Quality Services are happy to announce that Training Co-ordinator Debbie Farr has been appointed as our new Director of Training at our company conference on Wednesday 15th March.
Since joining ISO Quality Services in January 2014, Debbie has been responsible for managing the training division as well as undertaking other HR duties. Since starting with us, Debbie has been working towards developing the Training Division, organising the training days held at our offices as well as with other providers including the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Debbie is also responsible for compiling the course content and ensuring that it is delivered in the most beneficial way possible.
Looking to the future, Debbie is working to grow the number of training sessions that we hold, as well as be able to hold training sessions at multiple facilities around the country. Debbie is also currently looking into introducing the use of Webinars and Online Training to expand our offering. These would be available on our training website, expanding our reach to clients who are unable to make the journey to our training facilities.
It was announced by Chairman Peter Appleton that Debbie would be our new Director of Training at the Annual Company Conference held on Wednesday 15th March.
The appointment of Debbie as Director of Training shows the growth and development that the department has undertaken since Debbie started in 2014, proving the necessity of ISO training courses for companies who already have or are wanting to implement ISO standards. With this growth, we will be able to expand our offering to provide for more of our client base. We currently offer Quality Management, Environmental Management, Information Security Management and Internal Auditor training but this would be looking to grow with the expansion of the department and the introduction of delivering online courses.
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.
There will also be a chance for a question and answer session, a live audit and a test to certify the auditors with a Certification awarded for successful completion.
Book your place here or email training@isoqsltd.com to make an enquiry.
After the triggering of Article 50 last week, we thought we would recap the effect on ISO standards in the wake of Brexit.
On June 23rd the UK voted to leave the European Union. This decision will bring about many changes to our country and our economy over the next few years.
What we don’t know is the impact that this change will bring to UK businesses and how this will affect their current strategies.
We are confident in saying that ISO standards and the part that they play in helping businesses to grow will remain unaffected by the country’s transition from the EU.
The ISO standards have input from all over the world including America, Canada, Russia, China, India, Australia and Europe.
The systems were established to provide globally acceptable business “norms” and are updated on an on-going cycle to make sure they are still aligned with the current business landscape.
As a business who wants to trade in the UK and internationally, your certification is still a main factor in asking other businesses to trust that your business practises are first-rate and externally audited.
ISO standards remain a great way to manage unpredictability and give your business a recognised trademark, which only makes your company more attractive in the market at home and abroad.
Regardless of our position in the EU, these differentiators will remain a consistent and structured approach to help businesses enter new markets and meet customer demand.
If you do require some advice regarding exports and are unsure how ‘Brexit’ could affect your business, then please contact your local chamber to talk with a representative from The Department for International Trade.
For any help understanding your ISO standards and how they might be able to help strengthen your business in this time of unpredictability, please contact us on 01905 670303 or email clientservices@isoqsltd.com.
Date: 27th April
Location: Donnington Park
Book your spot here.
Tuesday 20th June
18 Hole Stableford Competition at Bransford Golf & Country Club, Worcester
The agenda for the day is a 9.45am registration with bacon butties, tea and coffee and the chance for networking before heading out to the course for a 10.30am tee off.
In the afternoon sit down to enjoy a one course meal followed by a prize giving presentation and charity raffle, before continuing networking until around 6.00pm.
The cost of the day will be £35.00 per player including a donation to our charity, the Midlands Air Ambulance.
On arrival, you will be given a complimentary pack of three ISO Quality Services golf balls and a limited number of buggies are available on a first come first served basis.
So if you would like to join us for a day on the green or for more information please email Hanna or call 01905 670303.
Also, share our Golf Day post on Twitter or LinkedIn and follow our page to be in with a chance of winning a 4-ball at The Vale Golf Club.
ISO news, training updates and offers, meet the ISO QSL team and connect with other like-minded individuals.
Visit our LinkedIn page: ISO QSL LinkedIn Company page
Twitter: @ISOQSL
Receive 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 – info@isoqsltd.com or call 01905 670303
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.