I recently started working with a new business as their certification auditor. The business is a small family-owned construction company. The company has been operating for 20 years, and as part of their growth strategy, the Director, Ian, had put forward to the management team that they should pursue ISO 9001 certification to demonstrate their commitment to quality management.
At the beginning of their certification journey, Ian and the management team made the mistake of selecting a certification body that turned out to be the wrong fit. They chose a well-known, international certification body based on its reputation in the industry and extensive client list. However, they soon discovered that this certification body primarily works with large multinational corporations and lacks experience working with small businesses like theirs.
The challenges with this international certification body became evident during the initial assessment stage. The auditor had little understanding of the unique needs and constraints faced by a small construction company. They applied a rigid approach, often expecting processes and procedures that were more suitable and relevant to large Tier 1 construction companies.
The auditor seemed less interested in grasping the intricacies of the business operations and more focused on implementing standard practices. This approach created friction and frustration for Ian and his team, as the recommendations didn't align with their business size, scope, and industry dynamics.
Realizing that they had chosen the wrong certification body, Ian decided to reevaluate their options and find a better fit. They understood more now the importance of selecting a certification body that understands their business and industry, rather than one that applies a one-size-fits-all approach.
After conducting further research and considering recommendations from others in the industry, Ian came across a local certification body (which is the one that I contract for). This certification body has a solid record of working with small and medium-sized businesses, which immediately caught Ian’s attention. When Ian contacted the certification body, he was pleasantly surprised by the level of understanding and interest shown in their specific needs.
By switching certification bodies, they are now paired with an auditor who has relevant experience in the industry and understands the specific needs of small businesses. This partnership allows the business to address their quality management gaps efficiently, resulting in a successful ISO 9001 certification that truly aligns with their business goals.
Certification Answers provides some great information on selecting the right certification body for your business. Considering there are over one million companies and organizations in over 170 countries certified to ISO 9001 it is important to work with the right certification body and the right auditor.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much .”
– Hellen Keller, activist and author
Finding the right certification body and auditor for your business can be compared to finding the right doctor for your medical needs. Just as you would look for a doctor who specializes in treating the specific health conditions you have; you would look for an auditor who specializes in the industry and type of business you operate in.
This way, you can ensure that the auditor has the necessary expertise and knowledge to thoroughly understand the unique challenges and opportunities in your industry and provide tailored recommendations for improving your business processes and systems. Like choosing a doctor, choosing the right auditor is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your business health and success.
Business – your business is unique in scope, size, location and culture. You need a certification body that has experience in all the areas of business at a general level as well as an understanding of your unique requirements.
Certification Body – when you find the right certification body, you will have an auditor assigned to conduct your audits. It is important that this auditor has the competency in your business or industry as well as being open-minded to your unique areas of business.
Auditor – when the auditor is backed by competency and experience, they build a collaborative relationship with you and your business, which leads to continual improvement and the knowledge that you are now working with tailored experts.
1. Develop a list of requirements and questions to ask prospective Certification Bodies
2. Use the JAS-ANZ register
3. Engage an Expert to support you through this process.
This article is just the beginning. Join us for the extended discussion on the podcast, available on Spotify and YouTube.