Importance of ISO 9000 for Plym Yachts - Case Study Example

ISO 9000 Before probing into the issue of describing importance of international organization for standardization, ISO 9000, and then implementing itin the company, Plym Yachts, let’s first get a little introduction of ISO 9000. So starting with ISO 9000, it is that combination of systems that are made for such companies or businesses which have a motivation and enthusiasm for continuous growth and success in any specific competitive market. ISO 9000 is also said as that quality management system, which is combined with three other standards which are ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004. As we know that today’s business world is rapidly changing, it has become extremely important and crucial for any company or business to implement ISO 9000 in the business. Importance of ISO 9000 for Plym Yachts While talking about ISO 9000, let’s now describe its importance for the company, Plym Yachts. As we have encountered a big problem of loosing our precious and potential customers in the recent times because of not paying enough attention and interest towards the implementation of ISO 9000 in the company, we need to know its importance and significance to the company. So describing the importance of ISO 9000, it is a common fact that when a company or any specific business will not have any proper implementation of any quality management system, it will surely make a worse impact on the growth and development of not only the company but also the customers of the company. If we want our customers back, we need to provide them with quality in the products that we deliver. Kantner (2000) found that target of growth of business and gaining trust of customers in the competitive market can be achieved if we implement ISO 9000 in a company. Applying systems of proper quality management will make our company grow and gain success in the market. It will enable us in getting a positive effect on investment, sales growth, sales margin and market share. Newslow (2001) found that ISO 9000 helps in achieving competitive advantage in the progressive market through enabling the company to produce high quality and standardized products. There are such guidelines present in the ISO 9000 that can provide us with a comprehensive model for the purpose of quality management which can enable us in making our company competitive. There are various advantages which will come with the implementation of this specific quality management model. Some of those advantages can be increased level of customer satisfaction and their retention, reduced audits and enhanced mode of marketing, increased level of profits for the company and increased level of productivity. These are the advantages which will prove out to be very beneficial for the company because they will not only help us in increasing our productivity and profits but also will help in getting our customers back. Because when we will provide quality to our customers, they will not think to go to some other company for any specific product. And that quality will only come if we properly analyze and implement ISO 9000 in our company. ISO 9000 is also important for the company because of its international orientation. As we know that our customers demand international standard of excellence, we should implement ISO 9000 because it is backed by national standards bodies form a lot of foreign countries. So it will be very useful for the company to put into practice this quality management system. Another important and distinguishing feature of this model is its systematic orientation. Chung (1999) found that quality, in any business or company, can only be attained when the workers of that specific company will be motivated to improve the standard of the products. Unless we don’t institutionalize the right model of quality management in our company which will contain appropriate policies, technologies and procedures needed to run any business efficiently, we can’t achieve desired goals and objectives for the company. If we implement this quality management system, it will be work as a message from the top authority level to the employees that the company in which they are working is quality conscious and wants to do business activities according to the guidelines of ISO 9000. It should be also mentioned that the basic motive of ISO 9000 is to bring international trade to a business. If we implement this quality management system, we will be able to the documents of any aspect regarding the business like where the improvements are needed and what steps are required to make those improvements. Hutchins (1997) found that this quality management system helps a company in staying up to date regarding all business activities. We will be better able to know what services are being offered by the company and in which way. Without a proper quality management system, we can never be able to achieve desired set of goals and objectives and if we don’t achieve those goals which are related to quality assurance, we will neither be able to attract the customers nor retain them. ISO 9000 will not only enable Plym Yachts to achieve quality and excellence in the products of the company but also to gain a lot of customers again who have rejected us for our poor quality earlier. When we will improve our quality and standards through following the guidelines of ISO 9000, these customers will surely come back and will help us in achieving desired profits, productivity and market share in the competitive market. Benefits of implementing ISO 9000 for Plym Yachts While talking about importance of implementing ISO 9000 as a quality management system in Plym Yachts, let’s now get to know those benefits which will definitely come if we put into practice this quality management system in our company. These benefits are: It will guide the company in improving quality and standard of products and services It will help in gaining business for the company If will help in getting customers’ satisfaction It will help in retaining customers through improved quality Clients will be motivated to business with an ISO certified company Level of sales will be increased Profit margins will also be increased through implementation of ISO 9000 The company will have an improved access to international markets Improved efficiency will be achieved through documented processing Customers will be able to get reliable and quality assured products It will help the company in selecting suppliers and vendors Customers will be able to get products which are conforming to their requirements These were the benefits which Plym Yachts will be able to get if we implement ISO 9000 model of quality management in the company. It will help us in improving the quality of products and services which are delivered by the company. When the customers will use our products, they will surely come back to us again whenever needed and in this way we will start retaining our customers which will result in increased level of success in the market. When we talk about customer satisfaction, we are actually talking about quality and excellence in our products which will help us achieve huge customer satisfaction. Benefits for employees of Plym Yachts While talking about benefits of implementing ISO 9000 in the company for the customers, we must also mention those benefits which will come for the employees, the most valuable assets for the company, working for Plym Yachts. These benefits are: Employees will work harder when they will know that the company is quality conscious Employees will be motivated to achieve excellence Employees will benefit by better working conditions They will also get increased job satisfaction Improved health and safety is also a benefit for the employees Morale of the employees will also get increased Another benefit will be improved stability of employment, and Their skills and abilities will also be flourished while working for a quality conscious company Benefits for the owners of Plym Yachts When we talk about benefits for the customers and employees of the company, let’s now mention those benefits which will come for the owners of Plym Yachts by putting into practice the ISO 9000 model of quality assurance. These benefits are: Owners will be benefited by increased productivity They will also get benefit by increased return on the investments Increased market share will also be a benefit for the owners Increased operational results will be achieved Increased level of profits will be attained, and Attainment of desired goals and objectives through effective and efficient processes Key stages of ISO 9000 implementation Now, if want to implement the ISO 9000 model of quality management in Plym Yachts, we must follows some key stages which are of extreme importance for the successful implementation of ISO 9000 in any company or business. These key stages are as follows: The top level authorities of the company should show a real commitment for the purpose of implementation of quality management system. An appropriate implementation team should be established for the purpose of implementation. Next, awareness programs related to ISO 9000 should be started. Appropriate training should be provided now. Then initial status surveys regarding problems should be conducted. Then a documented implementation plan should be created. Now a quality management documentation system should be developed. Document control systems should be generated for the purpose of documented processing After documentation, the quality management system should be implemented. Then the effectiveness of the system should be checked through internal quality audits. After three to six months of implementation, a management review should be conducted. Then a pre-assessment audit should be arranged before applying for certification. An application should be sent to the certification agency for registration after initial period of successful implementation and operation of ISO 9000. The last stage is the continual improvement of the quality management system. Conclusion Summing it up, it can be said that implementing an effective quality management system is of critical importance for the success of any company. If we want to regain our customers, we need to implement ISO 9000 as a proper quality management system. But if we don’t implement it, success of the company and attainment of quality can never be achieved. So, it’s really beneficial for the managers to implement an appropriate quality management system in the company. References Chung, H., 1999. Understanding quality assurance in construction: A practical guide to ISO 9000. London: E & FN Spon. Hutchins, G., 1997. ISO 9000: A comprehensive guide to registration, audit guidelines, and successful certification. 2nd ed. Canada: John Wiley & Sons. Kantner, R., 2000. The ISO 9000 answer book. 2nd ed. Canada: John Wiley & Sons. Newslow, D., 2001. The ISO 9000 quality system: applications in food and technology. Canada: John Wiley & Sons. Read More