Many small business owners see ISO 9001 as an elite certification reserved only for large corporations with endless resources. They may think implementing a quality management system to meet ISO 9001 standards is too complicated for a company of their size. However, with the right approach, ISO 9001 is an achievable and worthwhile pursuit, even for small enterprises.
Start Small
For small businesses with multiple locations, consider gaining ISO 9001 compliance for just one site first before expanding certification across all sites. This allows you to fine-tune your quality management system and work out any kinks on a smaller scale before applying it company-wide. Just be sure to fully integrate ISO 9001 across your entire initial location.
Leverage Templates
The internet is littered with companies offering templates, guides and tools tailored for small businesses to take the guesswork out of ISO 9001 implementation. Leverage these resources to understand the standard’s requirements and establish a baseline for your quality system. Adapt available templates to fit your processes versus starting from absolute scratch.
Enlist a Consultant
An experienced ISO consultant understands the obstacles small companies face. They can assess your current operations, identify the gaps, and provide a roadmap to become compliant in a simplified, staged manner. Their expertise reduces the learning curve and helps avoid easily avoided pitfalls. The investment pays dividends in time and money saved.
Train Your Team
Get internal buy-in by training your staff in ISO 9001’s value for your business goals and customers. Clarify how each person’s responsibilities integrate with the quality management system. An educated, enthusiastic team will propel implementation forward and sustain ISO standards long-term.
Focus on Simplicity
Construct your processes, documentation, metrics and tools to be as simple and user-friendly as possible while still achieving compliance. Complicated systems get bogged down and invite workarounds. Design ISO 9001 integration to be smooth and streamlined into daily operations.
Look at the Long View
The initial implementation push requires investment of time and resources. But maintaining an efficient ISO 9001 system reduces costs and frustrates over the long-term. With proper planning and perspective, the investment pays for itself in financial and competitive advantages.
Conclusion
By following these principles, ISO 9001 is within reach for organizations of any size. Rather than an obstacle, view ISO 9001 as an opportunity to build a quality management foundation to propel your small business forward. Want to know how you can achieve this important standard, then contact us on 01484 666160; email team@synergosconsultancy.co.uk or to book a discovery call, click here.
