Ever wondered how much have you spent on your ISO 9001 Certification? 

Let me calculate for you:

​Total Man Days = 21
Total Money Spent = Training - 4 x RM 4,500 = RM 18,000 ; Consultancy - 17 x RM 2,500 = RM 42,500
Total Sum = RM 60,500

Having paid all these, you engage certification body to conduct external audit. Congratulations if you have passed the audit and obtained certification. What if this is not the case? Having a few NC's (non-conformance) in your audit findings? Having said that, again you engage the consultant to assist you in mitigating the corrective actions. You pay them the consultancy fees of RM 2,500 a day (which they will probably quote you 2-3 days) having you to spend another RM 7,500 as a result. 

Let's throw in a hypothetical situation. Is that the yardstick of an ISO 9001 Certification whereby you have to spend at least RM 60,500 to obtain your certification? What if, someone is telling you, they can get the job done with only one-third of the above price? 

Yes, one-third of the price. Which means, RM 20,000 until you obtain your ISO 9001 certificate. Corrective action? Non-conformities? No worry, we will do it for you at no cost (most of the time this is not needed since we deliver good job).

Having said that, why waste unnecessary monies just to obtain an ISO certification? Apparently, most consultants outside are charging an exorbitant sum and trying their best to justify the yardstick. But in SAM Consulting, we roll up our sleeves and work collaboratively with our client to deliver the best possible value for their investment and in doing so we build an inseparable relationship with our clients by understanding their needs and delivering solutions that they truly value.

Do spend the remaining RM 40,000 to upgrade the skills of your employees. An example will be investing money in the Lean Six Sigma programme to maximise yield output and minimise unnecessary wastages. 

Before I stop writing, it reminds me of the coming festive Chinese New Year celebration. On top of all, I am throwing in a 10% discount for those who have read my article. Which means, you are only paying RM 18,000 to journey your ISO 9001 Certification. Call 03-7624 5435 or email us at hello@samconsulting.com.my indicating you have read my article. 

If you are a Malaysian and you possess a valid driving license, you probably understand what "BAO" means. It meant "ALL IN ONE PACKAGE" to pass your driving test despite how terrible your driving skills are. Interestingly, these packages offerings have extended to ISO Certifications as well. 

Recently I noticed there are Registrars / Certification Bodies in Malaysia offering consultancy services. They are smart enough to have a separate company that offers consultancy service and their auditors worked for both. It has come to a situation where companies were forced to buy their services in order to have a smooth and easy audit, be it the assessment or the surveillance audits later on.

Who are these people? Easy for others in the business to identify - one of the few big boys who have above 700 clients + some other certification work can afford to survive as 'independent' auditors and maintain their pride. Others have to survive by moonlighting as 'consultants' or 'monkeys'. But they are making good money despite offering cut-throat charges because they only do part of the auditors job and charged both 3rd party plus consultants cost.

One party I know of (they operate both in Singapore and Malaysia) was investigated by UKAS some years back. Now they are as strict as others for their normal clients but the yardstick changes when it comes to those who employed them as consultant cum 3rd party auditor.

During a recent seminar on compulsory certification for contractors beyond a certain 'size/volume of business', somebody from one 'big' but 'supermarket' style CB in Malaysia whisper into my ears - "if you engage us, it's OK if you cannot meet the dateline because we have people inside".

I will not waste my time or effort moaning over here but whenever I meet my business friends or peers in business meetings etc, and have chance to speak or offer advice, it is - If you are a reputable firm, get an auditor of comparable or equal reputation. Not one that allow others to hang a big question mark on you or your firm.

Whether you are buying or selling "KAWDIM" Certificates, the Commercial Crime Department will be knocking your doors soon. Good Luck!