IMSM IMPACT ISSUE 47 (Recruitment 1)_IMSM IMPACT ISSUE 47 (Recruitment 1) 29/09/2009 13:31 Page 1
IMPACT
ISSUE 47
The Benefits of ISO certification ...
RECRUITMENT EDITION
A guarantee of professional services ISO9001 in the recruitment sector is a guarantee to clients, candidates and contractors that the services are delivered following professional and international procedures. Companies such as those shown here conduct regular audits, internally and externally, and have a built in mechanism for continuous improvement. In a highly competitive market place, ISO9001 adds credibility and positive customer perception. Whether one branch or several, customers can be assured that the same procedures are followed throughout, saving both time and money.
Fantastic Value-For-Money Service One of Ben Katakwa’s objectives when setting up Destiny Healthcare Services in 2001 was to ensure the company achieved ISO 9001 as soon as possible. His previous experience showed him that whilst you may never have a perfect system, it is possible to have an excellent one. Ben chose IMSM to help him achieve his aim to run the most efficient nursing and domiciliary care company in the West Midlands and says IMSM’s “IMSM, are fantastic, service is fantastic, value-for-money. Director of the Wolverhampton-based they ensure we are at company, Ben said: “We need to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to the top of our game…” requests for staff and we want our clients to have complete confidence in our service. The IMSM annual audit is particularly valuable to us, as it helps keep our systems up-to-date with ever-changing legislation.” Destiny offers a 24-hour, 365-days-a-year service providing staff to all sectors including hospitals, private and public sector healthcare providers and domiciliary services. They currently employ five office staff, four drivers and over 160 nursing staff. The agency is manned by a team of highly experienced consultants. “Having ISO9001 helps us to streamline our work and make processes clear and easy. In the office it means that a new member of staff can easily integrate and we are able to ensure efficiencies that save us both time and money,” Ben explained. A good example of the cost-saving benefits of ISO 9001 is with the company's fleet of vans. IMSM has helped to put procedures in place, such as using log books and negotiating deals with fuel providers, that have helped make savings in fuel use and ensure the work done is actually necessary. In fact the company has probably made 25-30% savings on costs, thanks to the systems put in place. “IMSM are fantastic, they ensure we are at the top of our game and that we keep our reputation in the marketplace second to none,” concluded Ben.
International Management Systems Marketing Ltd (IMSM) was founded in 1994 to add value to businesses around the world by providing structured management systems which increase their efficiency and competitiveness, through internationally recognised standards. From its UK headquarters, IMSM has developed a strong network in Europe, USA, Canada, South Africa, and the Asian Pacific region. IMSM’s fully trained and experienced team of auditors hold IRCA (International Register of Certified Auditors) qualifications. The company is an active member of business and quality organisations around the world. See website for details.
IT Jobs Specialist’s Commitment to quality IMSM was chosen to help specialist IT staffing solutions company, 4it Recruitment Ltd, acquire its ISO 9001 certification in 2005, and the Company remains delighted with the service offered by its Quality Partner. John Lever, 4it Company Accountant says: “We have a significant administrative function within the business and the requirements of ISO 9001 ensure that we maintain the highest possible standards. IMSM helps to ensure that we think about the planning and processes of our work so that we remain highly efficient, benefiting our clients and shareholders alike. Maintaining our ISO 9001 certification is at the core of 4it's Quality Policy, giving our clients a commitment that we document, monitor, implement and continually improve all our systems and processes.” Since 1998 this successful specialist recruitment company has built on its original quality-focused ethos to become a key name – providing permanent and contract technology professionals for the public sector and for major blue-chip companies “Maintaining our throughout the UK. ISO 9001 certification Clients find a friendly, professional team at 4it Recruitment who ensure is at the core of it’s that candidates have the right technical skills and also a correct cultural and Quality Policy...” personality fit. “Our Quality Management System is audited annually by an IMSM external assessor, who is at the top of his game and knows exactly where to look to keep us on our administrative toes,” quipped John. “We conduct regular internal audits of our performance to ensure that all aspects of our services are of the highest standard. We are constantly exceeding client requirements and expectations as a result.” 4it knows that having ISO 9001 opens doors to a range of contracts, particularly with public bodies that require evidence of quality standards in their tendering processes. Obtaining preferred supplier status and maintaining it may otherwise be impossible and it is so straightforward through the service from IMSM. “We would be delighted to recommend IMSM,” says John. “They meet all our expectations; setting up the ISO 9001 Quality Standard is a lot of work and IMSM have helped enormously. Now that we have only the year-on-year standard maintenance assessments going forward, it is a simple process for us and a valuable one.” www.4itrecruitment.co.uk
To date, IMSM has helped more than 7,000 organisations around the world to achieve ISO 9001 certification
www.imsm.com – international standards are our business
IMSM IMPACT ISSUE 47 (Recruitment 1)_IMSM IMPACT ISSUE 47 (Recruitment 1) 29/09/2009 13:31 Page 2
IMPACT
ISSUE 47 www.imsm.com
A better way to do things Reducing processing time Industrial Rehabilitation Workshops has been providing employment for people with special needs for 35 years. It is a charity but receives no external funding, making the efficiency of their operation and ability to win contracts imperative to providing this important employment. It is now nearly ten years since they first undertook ISO9001 after a new member of staff suggested they use IMSM, and they are very pleased with the service they receive. General Manager, Cheryl Elworthy, said: “We are in competition with other businesses in the same way as everyone else; there are no concessions to our workforce. We need to ensure the quality and the standard of our work. We also require the ISO9001 for the tenders we submit.” Industrial Rehabilitation Workshops is a disability employment service that has its headquarters in Northampton. It provides rehabilitation for people with mental health problems and those with learning disabilities. There are 120 mainly part-time workers, though some are full-time, plus ten office staff. There “I wouldn't have are two workshops which undertake packaging and assembly work and shrink any hesitation in wrap services to a range of clients on a recommending IMSM sub-contract basis. aspect of the ISO9001 process they have been brilliant.” hasOne been the introduction of traceability. “The Quality standard gained through IMSM is very important to us as it helps to easily pick out errors straight away, it saves time and also makes savings that we can then pass on to our clients,” said Cheryl. “We have found better ways to do things and, as a result, we can prove our standards and the quality of our work,” she continued. “The IMSM assessor sits with us and goes through everything and has introduced areas where improvements can be made. The process also teaches you a lot and we can pass on these ethics to our workers.” Despite the special needs of the workforce no concessions are either required or necessary. The company simply wishes to provide an excellent service to its clients and in turn help its employees to gain training and experience. “Our assessor is very approachable and the service is great. It brings us up to speed, I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending IMSM - they have been brilliant,” Cheryl added. www.irwonline.co.uk
Recognised for Excellence IMSM has been awarded the “Recognised to Excellence” standard from EFQM. This follows an in-depth programme developed and implemented by the EFQM working party, comprising representatives from sales, marketing, operations, finance, call centre and
PCSG Recruitment Solutions Ltd opened their first office in March 2002 in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, to provide temporary staff, recruitment, training and consultancy services for the Healthcare, Social Care and Housing sectors. Since then they have also opened branches in Aberdeen, Inverness, Glasgow and Liverpool. They employ 24 full time staff throughout their branches and 350 agency staff. A new office will be opening soon in Leeds. The Directors of the Company chose IMSM to steer them through their ISO 9001 certification and PCSG Recruitment's Operations Manager, Aileen Forbes, oversaw the process. 'We had looked at the Standard before and had decided to go for it because we wanted to ensure that our quality delivery was maintained throughout our branches and that we had consistent standards between branches. We also believed it would be a confidence builder for existing and potential clients,' said Aileen. 'Initially it seemed a daunting process, but our fears were quickly dealt with by “We make a point of IMSM's assessor, who encouraged us to mentioning our ISO look at things in a different way in order to work towards the standard. 9001 certification to Under his guidance we looked at the procedures that we already had in our clients.” place and we condensed and tweaked them, and we also looked at quality and how it related to the way we carried on our business. Thanks to him it was a relatively easy process in the end.' PCSG find the Standard very relevant to their business. It also offers support to their branches and their staff who can look to the company manuals for standards and guidance. Aileen thinks that the most beneficial result of the process is that by reviewing their recruitment procedure it has in fact cut the processing time from approximately 12 weeks down to an average of four, without compromising on quality. For a recruitment company this is a huge benefit in both cost and time. Although they have not yet been able to measure any increase in profits, the time factor means that their time management is much better and they can ensure that they provide an excellent product to their clients. 'We make a point of mentioning our ISO 9001 certification to our clients' Aileen says. 'They are pleased to see that we have it. We feel that it gives us an edge and assists us as a selling point with them because they know it means that high standards are installed and maintained. It certainly helps us to maintain client delivery. I would like to thank IMSM and its staff, in particular their assessor, for all their help and assistance to our company in achieving the standard.' PCSG Recruitment Solutions Ltd say that the service they received from IMSM was 'fantastic - they were very supportive throughout the process and the aftercare service is excellent'. They would unreservedly recommend IMSM to other companies seeking certification. www.pcsgroup.uk.com
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