ISO Quality Services Ltd – June 2016 Newsletter

What’s in this issue?

Recently Certified Clients

Risky Business: Addressing risks and opportunities in your business

ISO Quality Services’ raises almost £1000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance

Meet the Team: Get to know Grace

Be part of our online community

Refer a friend

At the end of last year, the ISO 9001 Quality Management and 14001 Environmental Management Standards saw fundamental upgrades to their management systems.

One of the biggest areas of focus was a move towards risk-based thinking as an integral part of complying towards the new versions of the standards.

Risk is defined as the ‘effect of uncertainty’ and it is not a new philosophy that businesses need to be aware of future opportunities and threats to their growth.

Risk-based thinking analyses risk as a process approach, though this way of thinking is usually something that a good business leader will do naturally.

Addressing risks and opportunities using risk-based thinking

The 2015 editions build risk into the management system, and encourages businesses to ask “what is the risk level in our processes, what are risks to achieving our objectives, and producing quality products/services?”

Adopting risk-based thinking also means your business will be more proactive in terms of strategic planning and looking ahead.

But risk doesn’t always have to be negative. Embracing risk-based thinking promotes a culture for continuous improvement and addressing both risks and opportunities will progress your management systems.

How can you evidence risk-based thinking?

While most companies will look at these risks automatically, ISO standards allow you to formalise this process and implement a structured approach to identifying risks. Any threats need to be documented in both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015.

Using a document like our Risk-based Register will allow you to classify risks, look at the potential consequences and the probability of the risk becoming a threat and then analyse the risk level.

If you have an ISO standard, risk-based thinking is most likely something you will already be striving to achieve. However, regardless of ISO, risk-based thinking is beneficial to helping your business achieve your objectives and analyse threats to your ability to produce quality goods that meet your client’s needs.

On Tuesday 7th June ISO Quality Services’ Client Services Advisor Natalie Allison completed a daring skydive in aid of the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Natalie, who is 19, took part in a tandem skydive with the Red Devils Parachute Team, at Langar Airfield in Nottingham.

Her skydive has so far raised around £500 for the charity – a fantastic achievement!

On landing back in the office, Natalie said, “It was an amazing experience, I would definitely do it again! To also raise money for the charity makes it even more worthwhile!”

Also this month, 20 Worcester-based businesses got together to drive their businesses forward as part of our Golf Networking Day.

A total of £400 was raised on the day, which saw teams of mixed ability compete in a Stableford competition. The winner on the day, Mike Ashton, Chief Executive of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce said that it was ‘a well organised, friendly golf day’.

The event was kindly sponsored by Mercedes-Benz who showcased their new E-Class on the day, as well as donating a prize for the raffle. Other donations to the raffle were made by Parkinson Wright Solicitors, The Bank House Hotel, Bolero Bar & Venues and The Bransford Golf Club.

Due to the success of the event ISO Quality Services Ltd have already scheduled the next date for 7th June 2017. To enquire about attending or sponsorship opportunities please contact marketing@isoqsltd.com.

Since 1991, the Midlands Air Ambulance has responded to more than 43,000 missions averaging 2,000 per year, making it one of the longest established and busiest air ambulance organisations in the UK.