Competition in the markets today is forcing small businesses to struggle in many ways in order to get customers’ attention and build their trust. Probably the best way to break through competitive barriers is to get ISO – International Organization for Standardization – certification.
While these types of certifications may seem better suited for and reserved for big businesses, you’ll also find that they bring considerable benefits to small businesses. If you’re an SME, get ISO 9001 certification in Qatar as they offer numerous benefits to the company leading to improved trust, credibility, quality management system, and better relationships with employees, customers and other stakeholders.
Improved Credibility and Reputation
ISO certifications are international standards of recognising an organisation that promises commitment to quality, safety, and efficiency. This instantly elevates credibility for a small business once it is accredited. The third parties, such as customers, partners, and stakeholders, would find such organisations to be more reliable and professional, hence commanding better trust and subsequently more business.
Higher Quality and Consistency
The standards require that an organisation outline their processes and procedures to ensure consistency in the quality of their products and services that they offer. This helps small businesses significantly reduce errors and duplication, while improving efficiency. This will lead not only to greater customer satisfaction but also minimises waste and operational costs, to yield a better bottom-line financial performance.
Competitive Advantage
In most industries, certification could be regarded as an entrance ticket to business or partnership development. The advantage of small businesses that apply and adhere to standards is of a competitive nature. It opens up new markets and they are allowed to bid for contracts and tenders where only those suppliers who are certified are qualified to supply.
Improved Customer Satisfaction
A central tenet of most ISO standards is a ‘customer satisfaction’ focus. Indeed, small businesses have enhanced their capability of meeting customers’ needs through certification. Continuous improvement processes, as called for by the standard, also ensure an organisation can continue to provide high-quality products and services in efforts to create customer loyalty and positive brand awareness.
Improved Risk Management
It is required by the standards that organisations enumerate the list of risks that may arise and take measures which will reduce their likelihood. This proactive management of risk will provide a better aptitude for small businesses to tackle an unexpected risk. The result is stability and continuity, which is important for long-term success.
Employee Inspiration and Productivity
The road to ISO certification should be a corporate-wide effort. It involves the incorporation of and cooperation between all levels of staff. This will give rise to a culture of quality and continuous improvement. There will be motivation and commitment among workers when the staff feel their contributions to the company’s success. Clearly defined processes with clear roles enhance efficiency and job satisfaction.
Compliance With Regulations
Most of the industries have a set of regulations that businesses are required to abide by. ISO certification assists small-scale businesses in ensuring that they are complying with different legal and regulatory requirements, thereby reducing risks associated with penalties. Compliances not only protect businesses from penalty violation but also instil confidence in regulators and customers.
International Recognition
Since ISO certifications are internationally recognised, it is easier for SMEs that have attained the same to expand internationally, hence the ability to discover new markets. This proves to international customers and partners alike that the business adheres to globally accepted standards.
Sustainable Growth
Sustainability is something that is gaining great momentum in today’s business environment, and ISO recognises both the importance and impact it has on organisations of every size. ISO standards contain elements within them, such as environmental responsibility and sustainability practices, all within their requirements for certification. Not only will small businesses demonstrate their concern for sustainability with the attainment of certification, but they will attract more eco-sensitive customers and partners to their business, continuing to grow in a long-term, sustainable manner.
For instance, ISO certification may make one SME unique among competitors in most regions. It is always assumed that ISO standards are beyond the SME mindset and too complex for them to understand. But with the help of ISO certification consultants guiding you through this, you probably will find it’s not as daunting as initially expected, and certification will add value to your organisation in many ways.
This is so because it is critically important for any organisation to become effective & efficient. More so, in the case of smaller organisations, resources will be limited; it’s very important that you try to exploit them to the fullest effect. Having an efficient management system, such as ISO 9001, integrated with the quality management system can help achieve these goals, and a certified management system ensures that your management system is regularly tested through added value audits to ensure compliance is assured. This will also help identify opportunities for improvement and mitigate risks, which again would give you an even better revenue generation.
For any organisation, be it small or multi-national, the implementation of any ISO standard is carried out to enhance your company. Having ISO certification will add value to any organisation through continual improvement.
Conclusion:
Certification can be a great way to invest and may offer astonishing rewards for a small-scale company to stand competitive in the market. The focus on quality and continuous improvement allows the SMEs to meet and, where possible, exceed customer expectations, thus securing their place in the market for the long term.
