ISO 9000 Standard Series: - Atool to improve competitiveness Quality products and services _ aré key to customer salisfaction, “profitability and = market : leadership. In today’s global * economy, quality has become a survival strategy for businesses “wishing to maintain or improve their competitiveness at home ~ and abroad. . “Many Canadian “manufacturers have discovered that customers in Canada and the aeeen 14 of the world are demanding “= -International _ compliance: to 150 9000 quality - standards. What is the ISO 9000 - standard series? It is a series of “international quality _ management and quality system -standards and guidelines for ’ businesses, first published in 1987 by the 94 members of the Standards Organization (ISO). ~~ The ISO 9001, 9002, and ‘::9003 standards are models for oe contractual agreements between <_< customers and suppliers and for “certification of quality control. => systems. They are increasingly béing used worldwide, and are applicable to all types of organizations. Alsa, a series of {$0 9004 Guidelines describe comparing “Management systems, “expected that the use of ISO the elements of quality systems - in manufacturing, service and ‘processing industries. - Some companies adopt ISO 9000 standards to improve their © productivity and efficiency, but, “more frequently, they are forced ~.to do so by purchasers who took _for’.a.common base when - quality and It is -9000-standards will grow as the we reduction of tariffs increases the . Need to compete on the basis of Price, quality and service. -BENEFITS . Implementing a quality system using ISO 9000 standards -shows customers that a “company’s: products or service are’. backed by a strong commitment to quality. It can “help a business secure a competitive edge in the world market- place by: . "providing domestic and =.imternational recognition for “quality assurance standards; abies ONE eee gets. — sustaining and continuously improving the quality of products; —providing an independent assessment of quality management systems; —reducing costly multiple customer auditing; and —detecting and correcting quality system weaknesses, In addition, an ISO 9000 registered quality system “provides ‘an enhanced image in advertising and publicity, a new feature for sales people to talk aboul, new customers and tendering opportunities, increased customer loyalty and recognition of leadership in the industry. DEVELOPING A QUALITY SYSTEM The ISO standards are based upon the understanding that all work. is accomplished by a process. When designing its quality system, a company must first identify all the processes within the organization, including manufacturing and work processes. These must be documented and controlled in order to perform effectively. Then, management must document its policies and objectives for the quality system, describe activities that must be addressed, and determine what is required to implement the system, The documentation becomes the company’s Quality Assurance Manual and Quality Procedures. REGISTERING A QUALITY SYSTEM Registration under [SO 9000 standards demonstrates that the company complies with world criteria and ensures access to national and international markets, Quality registration is performed by - independent registration or organizations, commonly referred to as “quality registrars”, which assess and approve a quality system in accordance with ISO 9001, 9002 and 9003 standards. A quality registrar carries out an on-site assessment of the company’s quality system against the selected {$0 "9600 quality standards. Upon ‘successful completion of the assessment, the registrar issues a “certificate of registration” to the company. Follow-up audits are -conducted at least annually to ensure thal the organization maintains its compliance with ISO standards. Registration is proof that the company has gone through all the necessary audits, so that customers don’t have to verify these themselves when considering a quotation or business relationship. The Federal Business Development Bank, through a team of specialists, offers training and counselling services to assist businesses in developing their own quality system. For more information, contact your nearest branch or call toll free 1 800 361-2126." © The power of networking (NC)—Walking into a room full of people can be uncomfortable—it can also be one of the best opportunities you'll have to develop new business, according to the Canadian Professional Sales Association. Networking is a continuous process that requires three steps: preparation, interaction and follow-up. Networking is time consuming, so plan on investing time. Although often the results are not ‘immediate, it does eventually provide big payoffs. Here's some tips: « Don’t try to sell your service or product .when you first meet: people. Instead, focus on how you can help them, - If yourservice i is needed, you'll be asked. « Don't rum around a meeting col- lecting business cards. Although. the by-product of effective networking results in. new. contacts, is nol a three people per event. + While you may provide many _ humbers game, Decide to meet two or: = for Sales ra 4 Success services to clients, you'll often be associated with one particular service or product. Decide which service you want to be known for and reinforce that when networking. * When you decide how you want to be seen by‘others, develop a positioning statement with the words, “7 specialize in...” Next, tell people about your target market followed by one or two benefits you offer. CPSA is a non-profit organization TCLESCIT ‘ providing benefits and ‘services to more than’ 30,000 ‘mémbers” fiationwide. For mere information phane 1-800-268-3794. All Aboard For Terrace’s - Best Ever LEGO Contest! Argh Matey! Do you think you've got enough blocks to sink last year's LEGO pirate ship winner? Or perhaps you were thinking of creating your very own LEGO desert island? Start stacking your LEGO for The Gingerbread Playhouse LEGO Contest, _ Oct. 21-22 at the Skeena Mall. Anything goes in this all ages contest - and the more unusual the betier! Past winners include a sawmill with operating LEGO dump trucks, pirate ships and even small cities! “One four year old girl last year made a _ donut shap with a little policeman in it. She even had little fruit loop or cheerios donuts,” says Nancy, owner of the popular toy store. LEGO prizes are awarded in four different age categories - yes adult LEGOholics are welcame too! Gingerbread Playhouse Skeena Mall wide array of free weights. is attitude. intimidated by gyms iilled with creaky equipment, leering men and smelly change ~ rooms? Take a look in the bright, new interior of Northcoast Health and Fitness. On the left is the Apex Total Body Circuit. 5 These user friendly machines work every part of | the body without using free weights, On the right are the cardio machines, plus a Kim and co-owner Audrey have tried to create a comfortable atmosphere at Northcoast Health and Fitness. They provide instruction far every machine, set up fitness programs for all their clients, and provide an-geing training. “If you don’t feel comfortable where you're working out, you're not going to commit to it," says kim, That ts one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in getting people out to the gym. The other Invest tn Yourself 635-5236 “People will invest their money In a hundred different things, but the last thing they're willing - to Invest in is themselves,” says Kim. She and Audrey hope to convince peopte that they are worth the 8 the small investment in tima and money. . Northcoast Health And Fitness 635-6500 The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 19, 1994 - DS Pure Water, Delivered to Your Door! “People are discovering the difference,” says Anita Materi. She and husband Dave are co- owners of Aqua Clear Bottlers. “Our water definitely tastes pure and we have regular laboratory testing done to ensure its quality.” The water at Aqua Clear Bottlers goes through 7 stages of purification and is ozonated to ensure the filled and sealed bottles are bacteria free. All Ministry of Health regulations are enforced to ensure a top quality and safe product. Aqua Clear Bottlers stock a wide variety of water dispensers, including a hot and cold made! for instant hot beverages. Convenient rental and payment plans are also available. Free scheduled delivery is available in Terrace and Kitimat. Call them today and ask for your 635-2341 #6 - 5002 Pohle Ave., Terrace, B.C. Green leaves stenciled overtop freshly varnished floor boards set the tone for one of Terrace’s newest shops, The Garden Shed. a = Everywhere you turn, something catches your eye, Ornamental iron plant hangers, beautiful terra cotto pots in all. shapes and sizes, even Victoria Gazing balls - hand blown glass glcbes lined with silver to mirror the surrounding beauty of the garden, “We wanted to offer some really special items for gardeners, that you couldn't find anywhere else,” says owner Diana Mckay. “So far ihe store seems to be very well received.” The Garden Shed will be open till Christmas for those with gardeners on their f shopping lists. Diana then plans to shut down after Christmas and re-open again in the Garden Shed _5033 Graham Ave. 638-7697 | Commitment to quality builds trust “We've developed a really good relationship with our customers over the years,” says Brent Webb, manager of Webb Refrigeration. Terrace residents have been bringing their broken appliances to the Webb family since the early 1970s, when Brent's father starting fixing appliances in the back of his cycle and hobby shop. Word spread and soon the collection of washing machines, stoves, dryers and other appliances in the back ed him to close down the cycle shop and start Webb Refrigeration. “Customers expect the same quality work from you as they did from your father,” says Brent. “But once you build up that relationship and that trust, they pass it along to their kids.” When a business establishes a solid base of customers, it’s time to branch out, And that’s just what Webb Refrigeration has dane. They now sell reconditioned appliances and business has expanded to include warranty work for local appliance retailers. Webb Refrigeration Ltd. 4637 Lazelle Ave., Terrace, B.C. V8G 188 635- 21 88 When management at Webb Refrigeration decided it was time to expand, buying a laundromat seemed like a logical step for the business to take. Running a laundromat is basically about keeping the machines in gaod working order, and reconditioning and repairing major appliances is Webb | Refrigeration's field of expertise. The two businesses seemed to make a perfect pair. “There are 2B machines at Wayside Laundry, which Is quite a lot of maintenance. | do something to them almost every day,” says Brent Webb, * : — : ' owner of both companies. He expects the maintenance schedule to slow down » eventually ; Finding an attendant to Keep Watch over the laundromat wasn't difficult. Brent hired Colleen J Turner, the wife of one of his Webb Refrigeration employees. Aside from providing change, Colleen also offers a laundry service. For $4 per double load Colleen will wash, dry and fold your clothes. ‘Wayside Laundry a711CK Kotth Ave. Terrace, B.C. Located I inAll West Centre