If you hear somebody say that all International Standards are so alike, there's no point having more than one, then sadly they have totally missed the point!

Each and every Standard is unique and individual, but have been purposefully designed with certain common elements so that they can easily be combined into an Integrated Management System ISO.

The idea of this is that it saves the business owner time and money, AND creates a more cohesive system within the organisation.

And while this may not seem obvious at first, integrated management system training will explain it all.

Optimum level

An example is this: let's say your organisation has an accounts department, an HR department and a sales department. And that each department has to get sign-off from management for purchase orders. Instead of carrying out this process again and again and again . . . one single procedure is put in place to cover it.

Integrated Management System ISO does take some setting up, and detailed training, to run at optimum level.

First of all, your training provider will need to get a thorough understanding of the business - what you produce or provide, who does what, what existing systems are in place, your communication policy, and so on.

Only by understanding all that can your integrated management services team devise the best package for your organisation, and the correct training.

Integrated Management System ISO is particularly well suited to ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, AS/NZS 4801 Safety Management System and OHSAS 18001 Safety Management System.

Major components

And when you think about it, those are major components of any organisation - and components which could have devastating effects if they went wrong.

For this reason, your Integrated Management System training team will spend a lot of time on key issues, such as training and awareness, risk assessment, safety procedures, corrective actions and so on.

A good analogy would be the modern car. The central computer system in your car is set to assess and check key components of your vehicle every time you turn the key. It checks the engine, the cooling system, oil levels, brakes, power steering - all those essential elements which need to be working perfectly to get you from A to B.

In much the same way, Integrated Management System ISO ensures all elements of your business are running smoothly, complementing and supporting each other.

Internal audits

And in just the same way you have your car regularly serviced to ensure everything is working, so ISOs incorporate internal audits to do the same thing for your business.

There are many advantages and benefits to integrating your systems, and reducing demands on your budget is a major one.

Not only do you save money by avoiding duplication, but it also decreases the cost of audits and makes the most of every dollar spent by combining tasks.

Another very important aspect is the involvement and, if you like, empowerment of your staff, with the onus on management to lead from the top and form sound strategies and policies.

Just recently, many of the International Standards have been reviewed and revised to keep them relevant in today's global market.

Consumers demand more

By that, I don't just mean our increasingly borderless market place either. The business world is very different today to the past, because consumers have more choice.

In the past our towns and villages had a limited number of suppliers, with the general store having a monopoly over most items! And while that is still the case in some remote areas in Australia, our major centres have changed dramatically.

Now there are multiple stores selling the same items. And not only that, but consumers are increasingly savvy and demand good quality goods and services, that are fit for purpose and value for money.

As if that wasn't enough to contend with, businesses also need to be fully up-to-date with all relevant legislation - including workplace health and safety, environment management, employment laws and consumer rights.

Work greener

And there is constant pressure to work greener, reducing our use of natural resources, avoiding pollution and reducing waste.

It's no wonder SMB owners have to wear so many hats!

And it's no surprise that so many SMBs are now implementing Standards, such as Integrated Management System ISO.

The International Organisation for Standardisation reports that its annual surveys show a steady increase in ISO management system standards, and SMEs are amongst those benefitting.

A major reason for this is that these smaller businesses and organisations want to better compete with larger companies, seeking major contracts and government tenders, and this increasingly calls for ISO certification.

Just recently, Kore Energy became the first company in Ireland to achieve integrated ISO certification, saying it would help them to offer the best quality products and service to its customers. By being able to immediately promote that fact, the company is already benefitting from the news.