DATES:      19th March – 23rd March or
                 26th March -30th March
VENUE:      Safari Park Hotel
PRICE:       Kshs. 69,500 per person

What and Why?

With a Quality Management System you demonstrate predictability of your internal operations and ability to meet customer requirements. An effective Quality Management System will help enhance customer satisfaction.

Quality management is what organizations practice to ensure that their procedures conform to the customer's requirements. Moving away from ad hoc processes gives you an overview that makes your internal processes easier to manage, measure, and improve. It is the first step on a journey toward continual business improvement.

Taking control of your processes for improve bottom-line

An implemented and documented Quality Management System enables you to control your different internal processes as defined by your scope:

• You will increase your efficiency and minimize the risk that obligations to customers are not met.
• You have a foundation from which to gradually improve your internal processes and strengthen your organization's ability to meet strategic objectives.
• You can measure your management system against various international and industry standards through third party certification.
  

Putting your customer first
A company working according to a Quality Management System is a more efficient and effective company. In addition, you will see that staff responsibility, motivation, and commitment will improve. A certified Quality Management System is also increasingly a condition of contract. The certificate proves to customers that you have the necessary systems in place to fulfill your obligations to them.

What standards can you be certified to?
To get on the road to certification, you should begin by reading about:

The international ISO 9001:2000 quality management standard applicable to any manufacturing or service industry.

ISO 9000 Series   ISO 9000 Series   ISO 9001:2000

An ISO 9001:2000 certificate proves that your Quality Management System has been certified against a best practice standard and found compliant. Issued by a third party certification body/registrar, the certificate lets customers know they can trust that you have implemented the necessary internal processes to meet obligations.

The internationally recognized ISO 9001:2000 standard is generic. It is not a product standard, but applicable to any manufacturing or service industry. Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), its objective is to set international requirements for Quality Management Systems.

Upgraded version
ISO 9001:2000 is the latest version of the standard, issued December 15, 2000. The new edition has combined 1994 editions of ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and ISO 9003.

What is different?
The new standard places more emphasis on continual improvement and customer satisfaction than the 1994 versions. It applies to the processes of an organization that influence quality.

The major clauses in the new standard are:

• Quality Management System
• Management Responsibility
• Resource Management
• Product Realization
• Measurement, Analysis, and Improvement
  

Where do I go from here?

For third party certification, you need to implement an effective Quality Management System complying with the requirements of the standard. The first step is to get on the road to certification.

Road to Certification

Certification, or registration, to a standard is the outcome of a successful assessment by an independent third party like Ignite Consulting. After having decided on the management system you wish to implement, there are certain steps to get you started.

Experience has shown that some simple tips, often seemingly trivial, have proven invaluable to companies seeking certification. As you set out, keep these in mind:

• Make sure you begin the process with the right attitude.
• Have a complete understanding of the concept set forth in the standard, and use the standard as a guide template to define your management system.
• Know what application and implications of the standard will mean to your company.
• Use the standard as a tool for improvement.
• Have an understanding of the risks and processes that affect your organization's ability to realize its business strategy.
  

Select your partner (certification body/registrar) carefully.

What steps should I follow?

Below you will find 10 general steps that will take you down the road to certification:

1. Assemble a team and define your strategy: The adoption of a management system needs to be the strategic decision of the whole organization. It is vital that your senior management is involved in the creation process. They decide the business strategy that an efficient management system should support. In addition, you need a dedicated team to develop and implement your management system.
2. Determine training needs: Your team members responsible for implementing and maintaining the management system(s) will need to know the full details of the applicable standard(s). There is a wide range of courses, workshops, and seminars available designed to meet these needs. We provide a number of public and in-house training courses. Contact Ignite Consulting for more information.
3. Obtain a standard: Obtain and read a copy of the standard to familiarize yourself with the requirements. Then you should decide if certification/registration to this standard makes good sense for your organization.
4. Review literature and software: There is a large amount of published information available that is designed to assist you in understanding and implementing a standard.
5. Review consultant options: Independent consultants will be able to advise you of a workable, realistic, and cost effective strategy plan for implementation.
6. Develop a management systems manual: Your management systems manual should describe the policies and operations of your company. Through the manual, you will provide an accurate description of the organization and the best practice adopted to consistently satisfy customer expectations.
7. Develop procedures: Procedures describe the processes of your organization, and the best practice to achieve success in those processes. These procedures should answer the following questions about each process:
   
   • why
   • who
   • when
   • where
   • what
   • how
     
8. Implement your management system: Communication and training are key to a successful implementation. During the implementation phase, your organization will be working according to the procedures that were developed to document and demonstrate the effectiveness of the management system.
9. Consider a pre-assessment: You can choose to have a preliminary evaluation of the implementation of your management system by a certification body/registrar. The purpose of this is to identify areas of non-conformance and allow you to correct these areas before you begin the accredited certification process. Receiving a non-conformance means that a particular area of your management systems is not compliant with the requirements of the standard.
10. Select a certification body/registrar: Your business relationship with the certification body/registrar will be in place for many years, as your certification has to be maintained. In this age of corporate scrutiny, it is imperative to choose a certification body/registrar with a reputation beyond reproach.
    

Why Ignite Consulting?

All management system certificates are not equal. Ignite offers more than a ticket to trade.  When partnering with us, you begin a journey toward business improvement, and ultimately business excellence.

With the following qualities, we are well equipped to satisfy your organization's certification needs:

1. We offer Risk Based Certification as the standard way of conducting all management system certification.  With our risk-based approach to certification, you get more than just a certificate. Our auditors will also evaluate how your management system handles risks, i.e. identifying strengths, weaknesses, and improvement opportunities.
2. We provide a "one stop shopping" concept by offering a range of both single and integrated certification services that enhance the effectiveness of the certification process.
3. We have partners all over the world that can provide local service to you. Our consultants and partners speak your language and know your local needs, customs, and market.
   

For more information access www.igniteconsulting.co.ke or call us on 254-20-3673250-9


--
Catherine Murai
Ignite Consulting & Investment Limited

EDEN SQUARE
7th Floor, Chiromo Road, Westlands
P.O. Box 15568 00100 GPO  Nairobi, Kenya

Tel:   254-20-3673250-9
Fax:  254-20-3673231
Email: njeri.murai@igniteconsulting.co.ke
URL: www.igniteconsulting.co.ke

Professional, Life Skills Coaching, Value Added Training on Conformity and Compliance,
Business Management, Organizational Development and Facilitation.Rebecca Wanjiku,
journalist,
p.o box 33515,
Nairobi.00600
Kenya.

Tel. 254 720 318 925

blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/