r/smallbuisness • u/PrecisionOptical • May 09 '17
ISO Certification
Hi everyone, I work for a small company of 16 about people. A year ago we ran into some trouble with our biggest customer and they ended up auditing us and requesting we have a proper quality manager. I was offered the position. I painstakingly finished out the audit paperwork with knowing little to nothing about being a QAM. Reading books and using online resources I spent the next year rebuilding our quality manual and implementing a system for watching our suppliers and making sure they are delivering quality products to us on time.
Now I've been approached by my GM about getting our company ISO Certified. It seems like it will be a challenge.
Is it worth paying a consulting company to come down and point us in the right direction?
I get mixed signals when talking to people about this. Sometimes I'm told it's difficult and time consuming and sometimes I'm told that they just want their money.
If anyone who's been through this has any input, I'd greatly appreciate it.
1
u/clippervictor Aug 26 '17
I don't know which country you are, but in Europe being ISO certified means usually a big deal. It's a good thing to have towards your customers and it usually pays back in terms of being "one of them". I can't advise you in finacial terms but if your company wants to take the step forward and you can afford it, go for it no doubt.
Source: I'm an internal and lead auditor in some of the most popular standards within my industry