Consulting

How a Business Coach Can Help You

2011-09-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

When people start a business, in the UK for example, most do not understand the underpinnings, standards and overheads that they will have to deal with before they take on this responsibility.

Amongst the many reasons someone starts a business, they could be:

- They could perceive owning a business as a route to becoming more independent and hold more dominion over their own lives.

- They are under the impression that they could make their fortune as a business owner, instead of being forever doomed to take away their unsatisfactory pay check.

- They hope that by being the owner of their own business, they will be able to spend less time at work and more time pursuing life passions and goals outside of the working world.

Of course, these are not the only reasons. A plethora of events occur in business that we can't see coming, and are ill prepared for. Business is a constantly evolving, demanding game. If set up wrong, and if things begin to spiral out of control, your business could end up controlling you. An employee is able to easily forget about work the moment that they leave, but when it's your own business, you find yourself constantly thinking about it, even at home.

When businesses are imbalanced and looking unhopeful we will more often than not attempt to solve this by putting in more hours and sinking as much time as possible into the business. This would seem like a reasonable, logical solution to most, that if you put more time in, your business will naturally flourish. In reality, it's simply an endless cycle. You may find yourself feeling enslaved by the idea that you hoped would improve your life, and bring you more freedom. Most people have experienced this; either through watching their friends go through it, or being in that tough position themselves. You are incredibly stressed out and feeling ultimately hopeless, as you're trying to fix the entire business purely with your efforts alone.

When considering solutions, there is one easy path to go down, and this is by asking for consultation from a business coach.

Business Coaches are there to help you to see the business that you are currently operating from an outside, objective and emotionally untethered viewpoint. A lot of people find themselves incredibly emotionally attached to their idea, even when it clearly isn't working, not wanting to let go of their dreams.
The Business coach will assist you in auditing all of your processes and methods, examining exactly where the problems occurring, what you are getting right, and what you are getting wrong. This external viewpoint lets you look at the business as a whole, instead of working inside the business as a boss/employee, you will see it as a full entity.

The overall goal of this coach is to assist you in producing a realistic assessment of where you currently stand in your business, and how you can make your way towards success from here. Most struggling businesses are unable to pay employees to help and offer advice, but professional advice from an experienced coach may be just what you need to put your business back on the fast track to success. You will be set a realistic list of objectives, and can continue to use their services in the future at whatever pace you want.

Business Coaching for Stunning Success

2011-09-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Business coaching is a valuable asset for start-up companies which want to be on the right track and for reputable and well-established companies which want to maintain their positions and innovate in order to boost their success. Companies can attain growth in all areas such as marketing, product development, sales, administration and management as well as employee welfare and team building. An excellent coach is a key asset in the sustainable evolution of the company and people who consider they have the necessary skills to excel at this practice should seriously think about attending a good coaching training course that will result in certification and prepare them for this challenge.

Business coaching is a great experience for both the coach and the person being coached providing them with the opportunity to feel in control of their lives and business and to know what they have to do in order to succeed. NLP and coaching are two strongly related concepts that enable rapid and long lasting change in practitioners as well as their clients. NLP mainly represents the study of human excellence and it encompasses the attitude and the methodology that generates advanced coaching techniques. This is a highly successful form of modern psychology that develops positive aspects of performance and helps to change patterns of behaviour that aren't working. It offers powerful instruments to assist your clients.

A coach trained in NLP is different from a coach without that training because neuro-linguistic-programming reveals exactly how our brain functions to help us achieve excellence. The concept encompasses the study of the brain, the study of language and the study of behaviour patterns. Based on this research, NLP scientists have created a set of tools and techniques that can help us create excellence in our behaviour. Moreover, coaches who have studied NLP are able to bring these tools and techniques in the coaching environment helping their clients in a high effective manner to achieve their success goals. NLP and coaching is much more than questioning, doing exercises and creating awareness because it identifies specific issues, obstacles and solutions much more quickly and effectively than most other coaching methodologies.

Neuro-linguistic-programming enables better communication, awareness and control, empathy and cooperation and it improves understanding in all one-to-one communications. It is also a powerful instrument of Emotional Intelligence based on four operational principles:

know what outcome you want to achieve, have sufficient sensory acuity to know if you are moving towards your goal, have enough flexibility of behaviour and take action immediately.

The first thing that NLP and coaching teach you is to look at a certain situation from your own perspective, the other person's perspective and a neutral person's perspective. This is an effective manner for gaining insight into the situation which enables you to influence what will happen. Moreover, a coach usually uses two important instruments: questions and the Meta Model and in addition to these, huge amounts of rapport, good observational skills, the ability to listen actively and patience.

NLP and coaching represents the most reliable vehicle for change in existence, they are instruments used to calibrate and understand how you make sense of the world. If you want to become a successful coach as well as an asset that your clients use in order to expand their business and achieve their goals, the best thing to do is to attend a tailored coaching training course. This will allow you to acquire amazing knowledge and to learn cutting edge psychological techniques helping you to reach your full potential and to use it for the professional development of your clients. Besides this, a viable training programme should integrate NLP and coaching aiming to turn you into a person that inspires and shares positive energy to his clients helping them to discover fresh ideas, to learn effective leadership and to build success.

Business coaching is not for everyone but if you master this art, you can change many people's lives for better. It is said that, for every four people helped by this practice, one will become a business coach himself or herself. That is why this concept is a powerful weapon; it is driven from within by people who have assimilated its message, who are committed to capitalise on their natural talents and to go for greatness. NLP and coaching might be for you if you are willing to stand out from the crowd and be the change that you want to see in the world.

How to Help the Mining Workforce Achieve a Life-Work Balance Through Coaching

2011-08-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

We all know that most companies give importance to short-term achievements and often tend to overlook the destructive nature of the unbalanced life and work. Sounds familiar, right? However, is the management aware of the fact that a sense of frustration and resentment is being gradually built amongst their employees who are striving hard to strike a better work-life balance in both their work and personal space? I guess no! Read on to find out more.

Factors Responsible for Unbalanced Life-Work

Do you know the reason why unbalanced life-work exists in Australian mine-site? It is mainly because the demand of work roles clashes with that of non-work life and therefore, employees often fail to strike the work-life balance. One of the main characteristic of life-work variance is strain and this can be caused due to several factors such as:

· Excess work pressure

· Less decision making involvement

· Health and Security issues

· Insecurity

· Not enough time for task accomplishment

These are just a few contributors of work stress and you as an employer need to address these circumstances immediately in order to have better physical and mental health, improved employee relation and to reduce adverse damages that it might cause to the organization in the long run.

Approachable Solution

Looking for ways to solve the problem? Hire a pro who understands the problems of the Australian mining industry, especially where unbalanced life work may exist due to factors like labor shortage, issue of retention and hiring, steady development and competitive advantage; may opt for the services of an experienced business coach for developing an approachable solution.

Effective coaching works wonders for the industry to help reconsider its views towards employees and help draft things differently. Many industries will burn their staff to the maximum limit. But, we all know that the results are always negative in the long run.

Look at it from a different perspective as you really don't want to dampen employee's force and morale. With coaching, a more functional and streamlined path can be developed to change the existing work culture in the mining industry thus helping to strike a better work-life balance. Proper coaching may help you reconsider these areas:

· Better administration

· Time-to-time employee review

· Work pattern assessment

· Building a strong work atmosphere and culture

Advantages of Coaching in Mining Industry

Coaching in mining industries has its own advantages to help achieve a perfect work-life balance. Through coaching, a mining staff will get thorough guidance along the lines of professional and personal skills needed for better career prospects- just exactly what is needed. Furthermore, coaching will also assist the employees to become more technically adept in important fields like communication, team and people management. Other advantages of coaching includes

· Enhanced efficiency due to informed and trained employees

· High retention of staff

· Better people management skills

· Support employees in times of organizational changes

Increase the Value of the Organization by Valuing Your Most Precious Commodity - Your People

2011-08-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

We are all aware that employees form an integral part of any company. However, the managerial practices and policies often show that companies fail to perceive this notion. What they fail to understand is that if such malpractices exists, then it affects productivity, reduces motivation, leading to lower revenues. Moreover, by valuing the most important commodity, the people; you will increase the value of the organization in the long run.

People Management-An Absolute Must

It was recently surveyed, from the HR perspective, that mining companies are facing a set of challenges. One of which was the shortage of qualified personnel to meet the ever increasing demand of development and expansion. Fortunately, there are ways that mining companies can overcome this shortfall. Let us take a closer look.

· Looking from HR point of view, mining companies usually hire short-term employees. If this be the case, it is the right time to reconsider their agreement along with better pay and security. Additionally, instead of cutting back on employees, companies can offer extended contracts to their current staff.

· Mining companies in Australia will also find the process of retrenching difficult and challenging- in fact very common, if you are aware of the industry. For one reason, they might fail to identify the correct people to hold on to and the ones to let go. Hence instead of downsizing, you need to find more lucrative ways to keep good staff. Moreover, cutting back on employees may likely to cause damage to the workplace, and if not handled properly they may weaken the relation between the administration and employees. Furthermore, such steps may hamper productivity.

· Another thing that mining companies in Australia should think about- is what their retained staffsare feeling towards those who were laid off. This may result in them spreading the word of bad management, which may result in the company to lose its value. Besides this, employees not being treated fairly will result in unmotivated work force and reduced loyalty.

· Employees deserve the same respect as anyone else, and if companies don't realize this then you may have hard time recruiting new ones.

Maximize People Potential

All said and done, we know that employees form the backbone of any organization and therefore, companies should spend more time in harnessing the talent and energy of its human work force. Mine sites need to remember that to increase revenues, they need to make the most of their human capital.

There are numerous ways by which the mining industry in Australia can achieve this and why don't you think about these:

· Employment Training and Development

· Better pay structure for future security

· Opportunities for growth within the company

· Healthy work environment

A company must understand that organization value is directly related to a better work culture where staffs feel safe, appreciated and even motivated for achievement. However, this cannot be gained overnight and companies should draft effective management strategies for the same.

The Rise of "Free Agent Nation"

2011-08-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

What is "Free Agent Nation"?

As the US and world economies continue to endure one of the most challenging economic periods in recent history, there's a quiet revolution taking place in how we balance our careers with our family life. The term "Free Agent Nation" was most recently brought to life by Dan Pink, author of "Free Agent Nation", where he describes the current trends surrounding an increasing desire of individuals to become independent consultants.

New Trends - New Economy - and a Return to Traditional Values

There are a number of changes happening in our economy and our society that are fueling the rise of the Free Agents, such as:

1. Corporate Downsizing - as many of our larger corporations continue to cut costs by reducing personnel, many individuals are finding it necessary to strike out on their own to develop a new income stream.

2. Employee Burnout - some of the employees who "survived" the downsizing are finding the demands of their corporate positions to be too much. Burnout is driving some to consider options that would put them back in control of their lives.

3. Traditional Family Values - since the tragedy of 9/11, more people have been evaluating priorities and values in their lives. Trading one's life over to a corporation that no longer provides any measure of "job security" is slowly losing its' appeal in favor of spending more time with friends and family.

4. Outsourcing - the number two activity for reducing costs in the corporate structure provides a lot of opportunity for Free Agents to position themselves as a place to be "outsourced to".

Benefits to the Free Agent Consultant

Most independents agree that the benefits of being a Free Agent far outweigh the challenges. The most noted benefits include:

1. Flexibility - there's nothing like being able to develop your own schedule, decide which clients you want to work with and which ones you don't, being there for a child's ball game or performance, and not having to "play in the traffic" early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The ultimate ability to balance one's personal life with their career is a major driving influence in a Free Agent's life.

2. Creativity - as I've interviewed people who have left the corporate structure after many faithful years of service, I've been amazed to see how much the art of being creative has been lost. Most Free Agents get really excited about being able to unleash their creative abilities in a consulting assignment. It is miles away from hearing someone tell you "go sit in the corner - that's not the way we do things here".

3. The Ability to "Make a Difference" - solving a problem and producing a valuable result for someone is at the heart of what motivates and excites many of us.

Benefits to a Company that Hires Free Agents

The benefits of utilizing Free Agent Consultants are as varied as the problems they solve. Some of the more common benefits:

1. Acquire Short-Term Capacity or Skills - a company can increase their capacity or fill in a missing skill without all the overhead of hiring employees.

2. Ability to Dedicate Focused Effort to Resolve a Situation - with employees being consistently stretched to the max, many companies don't even have the ability or time in-house to analyze a situation, much less resolve it.

3. New Perspectives and Solutions - sometimes the answer to problems sits right in front of our face, but if we can't see it, we can't implement it. Outside assistance can often help us acquire a new perspective on an old problem.

4. Enthusiasm and Dedication to Complete the Project - a Free Agent knows it is easier to let them go than it is an employee. Their dedication to pleasing a company is very high. Their pay is tied to their performance, which creates continuous motivation to get things done right the first time.

The Challenge

There are unlimited opportunities in our global economy for companies to become more profitable through the use of Free Agent consultants, and for Free Agents to develop a career that works for them, not against them. There are, however, two major challenges to be overcome.

First, consultants must learn how to effectively sell and market their services - focusing on being an investment to a company, rather than an expense. Return on investment (ROI) is something all Free Agents must come to understand, and be able to show a prospective client how they will produce a return.

On the other side of the table, companies must be willing to invest wisely to improve their situation. Many companies have "locked up" their budgets and refused to spend on anything but bare necessities during this economic downturn. It would be a mistake to wait until things were "like they were" a few years back to start spending again. We have no guarantee that things will ever be "like it was". We only have to look to nature to see that everything is either growing or dying - there is no "standing still". Refusing to invest in the future may look like "standing still", but if there is no growth, there is only one alternative.

3 Ways a Business Can Get Rapid Returns on Investment Made for Data and Marketing

2011-08-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

If you are a small or mid sized (or any sized) business, your challenge today is to stretch your marketing dollar as much as possible. Your objective is to reach and convert as many potential customers as you can with that limited budget. This is critical today in the era of Groupon, especially if you are in retail.

We will talk about three obvious marketing challenges that can be significantly reduced with data and analytics.

1. Anticipating your customer needs ahead of time

To the uninitiated this may sound like fortune telling, but it is not! The trick is in building models of consumer behavior. Models help you to estimate the likelihood that a given prospect will make certain types of purchases. In a very interesting application, big box retailer Target, builds models that can predict if a given female shopper is pregnant and can estimate with a great degree of accuracy when they are likely to have the baby. For such customers, the retailer systematically sets up a lead conversion program where timed messages and coupons are sent for various baby related items such as cribs, diapers, infant toys etc to increase the chance they will come back and shop for more.

2. Deliver a focused offer (a coupon) at point of sale to increase conversion

If you know for example, that a shopper has purchased items such as boxes, duct tape, etc, the likelihood that they may be moving is high. The reward for you, the retailer comes in if you can offer at the point of sale, coupons for other items that might help in a move, such as cleaning supplies.

3. Optimize spending on PPC campaigns to maximize your returns

85% of the time a consumer's first interaction with a brand starts with an internet search. No wonder that pay-per-click advertising is such a major revenue generator for search engines. With increased competition for clicks, the cost per click for popular search keywords are high. It becomes increasingly harder to get ads placed high enough on the search engine results page in order to generate clicks. As an SME it gets much harder to compete with the "big boys" for such valuable internet real-estate.

Models can be built to predict what price you as a retailer must bid at in order to get a certain placement position. Furthermore, models can also be built to predict click through conversion, and sales for a given keyword-position combination.

Information Management in Construction From a Lean Perspective

2011-07-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Lean thinkers have referred to "ensuring that relevant customer requirements are available in all phases of production, and that they are not lost when progressively transformed into design solutions, production plans and products." Customer requirements are however only part of the information flow in design.

Information Waste

In Lean there are 7 classic wastes:

    * Over-production Producing more than is needed right now
    * Transportation Movement of product that does not add value
    * Motion Movement of people that does not add value
    * Waiting Idle time created when material, information, people, or equipment is not ready
    * Processing Effort that creates no value from the customer's viewpoint
    * Inventory More materials, parts, or products on hand than is needed right now
    * Defects Work that contains errors, rework, mistakes or lacks something necessary

Some Lean thinkers add additional wastes:-

Making Do - Drawings, documents and information required to complete the task are not available and the task is started despite these not being available, or the task is continued when supply ceases

Unused Creativity - Effort available to the team but not used to create value

From these wastes the following information related wastes can be identified

    * Waiting - unable to do work because information is not available or time is spent trying to identify information that needs to flow
    * Over Processing - excessive steps to produce the output caused by resources or activities necessary to overcome a lack of information
    * Making Do - continuing with production in the absence of required information
    * Defects - drawings and design requiring rework and resources and activities used to correct or verify information
    * Unused Creativity - team members making do due to lack of information when they could be employed creating value

Information Flow

In design the "flow" is information to each workstation so that the output in the form of information for the next step in line (which could be further design or construction) can be completed on time and to budget with minimum waste.

A scenario can occur in a design office where an absence or shortage of knowledge and information threatens to halt production (of deliverables). The pressure of deadlines (push planning) requires work to continue and assumptions are made to fill in for the missing knowledge or information. This builds in the necessity to make corrections of the assumption later, or contingencies are made that the assumption may be incorrect and the design is "over-dimensioned." The result is unplanned work.

Making do has been described as an "art" in the construction industry and that the response to lack of input availability is making do on a "massive scale".

The conclusion is that the reduction of making do in design requires control and optimisation of the flow of information and knowledge in the design team and between teams.

Information Sources

Typical types of information include emails, letters, meeting notes, call records, drawings, electronic data and photographs. A distinction may be drawn between "data" and "information":-

Data - Individual facts, statistics, or items of information.

Information - Knowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or circumstance or Knowledge gained through study, communication, research, instruction, etc.

In the project environment typically a large mass of data will exist which continually grows in size. Information that adds value to an output is a subset of the total data.

Management activity should therefore focus on Information as it is this which forms the value stream in the design process. An 80/20 rule may apply whereby only 20% of the data collected is used in creating value.

Applying lean 5S to information management produces:-

    * Sift (shine) - Ensure information is accurate and up to date
    * Sort - Structure information so it can be easily navigated and found
    * Set in Order - Store information in a single location that is available to all working on the project
    * Sustain - Make sure teams use the system and continuously improve
    * Standardise - Set protocols for information management

With the volumes of information within organisations increasing exponentially increasing attention is being paid to the challenges it produces, and the risks it creates.

In the absence of information management there is lack of certainty as to where information is, who has relevant information, and limited certainty as to its availability and currency. One consequence is that time is spent in search of essential information with which to continue production.

Smoothing the Design Workflow

To smooth the design workflow there must be a means of delivering the required information to the workface at the time it is required. It is however difficult in design to fix with certainty the time when information is required and in consequence information is delivered by "push".

The concept of "pull" should be applied so that designers acquire information when they are ready to use it without the overload caused by "push". There is then a likelihood that the information to be used in design will be current, correct and the best available.

Users need to be confident that they will find the information they are looking for and that it is current and up to date. All team members must use the system consistently and for all information.

Key principles of a strategy for managing project information within a Lean production (design) environment become:-

    * Identify valuable information as distinct from data and manage it
    * Users will only use a system if it has direct value to them or they understand the indirect value for another team
    * Information should be available in real time as soon as it is acquired
    * Minimise duplication of information
    * Minimise out of date information
    * Minimise duplication of effort
    * Information should only be delivered as it is demanded by users (pull)

Information Management Strategy

To achieve 5S in an industry which is heavily dependent on the flow of information and knowledge requires a system that can provide:-

Single source of all Information to:

    * Minimise duplication
    * Minimise out of date or superseded information
    * Provide Information on demand as it is needed

Be accessible to all project users at any time and be user friendly to:

    * Provide direct value to users
    * Enable users to supply information to others working on the project
    * Provide real time access with notification of changes and additions

Conclusions

Reducing making do generated by lack of information can be attained by the adoption of relatively simple strategies.

    * Use a single source of truth for information
    * Recognise the 80/20 rule and actively manage useful information
    * Use pull rather than push to supply information to designers
    * Apply 5S to information management within the project
    * Introduce make ready checks into daily/weekly stand up meetings

Why Excellent Service User Engagement Is Vital for Health and Social Care Providers

2011-07-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

In England a clean bill of health from the Care Quality Commission - the national health and adult social care regulator - is essential for continued business success. CQC publish inspection reports and notify commissioners and the national and local press when a provider is found to breach the standards. The impact on your business of the outcome of inspections can be substantial, for good or bad.

Many providers are yet to experience their first inspection under the new system of regulation brought in from April 2010. It is based on 28 Essential Standards of Quality and Safety which focus on the 'outcomes' those using services should experience if the provider meets the regulations set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities Regulations 2010).

Providers are however facing further new challenges with the fast rising tide of published service user/patient and carer feedback. Websites such as iwantgreatcare.com and patientopinion.org.uk and NHS Choices hold an increasing database of reported user experience. The government too announced plans to implement a review system by service users, in a similar fashion to TripAdvisor. The Daily Telegraph on 12 December 2011 published the story with the byline: "Care homes for the elderly are to be given star ratings by the public under a new online system, which ministers say will reveal "the good, the bad and the ugly". Full details will be set out in a white paper on social care, due to be published in the spring, when the Government is also due to respond to a commission calling for radical changes to the way care of the elderly is funded. Commissioners and CQC can be expected to review all such feedback and there is no doubt it will influence where contracts are placed and how frequently the regulator undertakes unannounced inspections of providers who receive poor feedback.

Resources such as these are also increasingly being used by patients, service users and carers in selecting their preferred health or social care providers. There are real business advantages to being excellent at service user involvement as a means of enhancing quality and experience. Being able to demonstrate high quality services in ways that are meaningful to service users and patients will increasingly become an essential business requirement.

Many providers still depend on questionnaires filled in by their service users to find out how they are doing. It can however, be difficult to get a statistically significant response rate just by relying on completed questionnaires, the feedback is not 'realtime' and the methodology is not effective for many, such as those with cognitive impairment. Equally the impact of such feedback on influencing the behaviour of staff can be limited. It feels too historical and limited quite often. Crucially they often give no clear indication of what would, in the view of those using the service, improve matters. Many providers fail to involve those using services in deciding on action in response to feedback.

Given that the 'gold standard' for monitoring care standards compliance IS the outcome for patient and service users, it is important that providers of services adopt new and more effective methods of service user engagement. There are many proven techniques out there, including for people with dementia, learning difficulties or cognitive impairment.

With the regulatory move away from reliance on policies and procedures to 'outcomes', the most successful businesses will be those that understand and implement the cultural changes quickly and decisively. Many health care providers looking for support with the new regulations are turning to expert healthcare management consultants for advice on systems that enhance service user involvement, demonstrate compliance, monitor quality and flag where improvements are needed.

ISO 9000 - What It Means and What It Means to Your Organisation

2011-07-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

ISO 9000 series are the most popular and the most sought-after of all standards. It refers to a series or family of standards for the development and maintenance of an effective quality assurance system. This series is based on eight quality management principles, which serves as a guide to any organisation or management that desires improved performance and quality.

The international quality management standard or the ISO 9001 is adopted by thousands of organisations worldwide because it controls quality, saves money and improves efficiency. Moreover, customers expect organisations to have an internationally recognised quality management system. In the business arena, most competing firms are using the standard as part of their marketing and positioning strategies.

The first principle of ISO 9000 is Customer Focus. This means that organisations rely on customers to achieve success so they need to understand what customers want and try to meet those requirements. The second principle is Leadership. This states that organisational leaders must create a unified goal and directs the entire organisation towards the attainment of that common goal. Leaders must encourage and cultivate a culture of active involvement among all members.

Third principle is related to the second, Involvement of People. As mentioned, all members of the organisation, regardless of status and position must participate in reaching the common goal of the organisation. The fourth ISO 9000 principle is Process Approach. This refers to the concept that a desired outcome can be achieved more efficiently when all tasks and activities are managed together as a process.

Principle four brings us to principle five, System Approach to Management. This involves identification, understanding and management of interrelated processes as a single system, helping the organisation to achieve its goals more efficiently and more effectively. Principle six is Continual Improvement. This means that the organisation must make it a primary goal to continuously improve its overall performance.

The seventh principle of ISO 9000 is Factual Approach to Decision Making. This simply means that all decisions are based on careful analysis and study of information. The eighth and final principle is Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationships. This recommends that the organisation and its suppliers rely on each other, so they must establish a business relationship that benefits the both of them.

The principles and requirements of the international quality management standard are logical and basic. If the organisation makes it a point to follow the principles outlined here, it's simple to become accredited or certified by ISO for quality assurance (ISO 9001), something that puts the organisation in the elite group and gives the organisation influence and recognition in the marketplace.