On this week’s “Best of” Quality Hub podcast, Xavier Francis talks to Brian Smith, Joe Hill, and Suzanne Strausser as they share invaluable insights on the essence of Management Review within the ISO 9001 standard. Brian emphasizes the continuous aspect of these reviews, focusing on significant yet non-urgent matters, while Joe delves into the specific documentation and data-driven decision-making required. Suzanne advocates for seamlessly integrating these reviews into everyday business...

On this week’s Quality Hub podcast, Xavier Francis hosts Lori Engle, VP of Marketing at Core Business Solutions. They discuss marketing planning for the upcoming year, focusing on ROI assessment, marketing expenses, brand building, and various strategies. Lori highlights the importance of evaluating current marketing activities, considering measurable ROI, and understanding the challenges of assessing brand identity's impact. They delve into different marketing expenses, from traditional to...

In this episode of the Quality Hub, Xavier Francis and Suzanne Strausser discuss the critical aspects of an end-of-year business review within the realm of ISO standards. From evaluating quality objectives, process performance, and risks to optimizing documentation and internal audits, they emphasize the need for a comprehensive reassessment. Suz underscores the importance of aligning ISO compliance with genuine business improvement strategies, urging listeners to prioritize what's best for...

In this episode of the Quality Hub, Xavier Francis interviews Erin Finnegan, an Instructional Designer at Core Business Solutions, delving into the intricacies of creating training, particularly centered around ISO standards. Erin delineates the meticulous process involved in developing training, from gathering information from subject matter experts (SMEs) to scripting, storyboarding, and more. She underscores the importance of simplifying complex ISO standards through relatable examples and...

In this Quality Hub podcast, Xavier Francis hosts Joe Hill, the manager of Audit Services at Core Business Solutions. They delve into the topics of surveillance audits and improvement plans related to ISO certification. Joe sheds light on the initial certification audit, he outlines that these audits focus on specific aspects like management reviews, and others. Additionally, they only cover about half of operational processes. He also underscores the value of formalized improvement plans,...

In this “Best Of” Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis discusses the importance of continuous improvement within an ISO standard with various experts. The experts emphasize the need to sustain a quality management system after certification by documenting initiatives and improvements, conducting regular internal audits, and engaging employees at all levels. They highlight the importance of fostering a culture of continual improvement, effective communication, and engaging frontline...

In the Quality Hub podcast hosted by Xavier Francis, ISO expert Brendan Lowery from Core Business Solutions discusses the critical aspects of nailing your internal audits. Brendan emphasizes assessing the entire Quality Management System (QMS) against the standard, with a focus on key sections like the context of the organization, quality objectives, and control of documented information. He highlights the significance of effective process documentation and underscores the importance of...

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis continues his discussion with Brian Reich, Manager of Software Development, and Anne Siebert, Product Manager at CORE. They discuss software as a service (SaaS) and the CORE Compliance Platform. They highlight the importance of feedback from various types of customers in refining the platform. The conversation touches on the crawl-walk-run approach to introducing new features and compliance standards. The team also emphasizes its...

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis introduces two special guests from the software department at CORE: Brian Reich, the manager of Software Development, and Anne Siebert, the Product Manager. They delve into software as a service development using the features of the CORE Compliance Platform as a guide. In addition, they emphasize the significance of CORE's notifications and workflows in streamlining compliance processes. The applications are continually refined...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis interviews ISO experts Brian Smith and Norm Verbeck from Core Business Solutions, focusing on ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety). Norm emphasizes ISO 14001's goal of sustainable development beyond regulatory compliance, while Brian highlights ISO 45001's bottom-up approach, worker participation, and hierarchy of hazard controls. Both standards stress communication, awareness, and...

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis engages ISO experts Murphy Shaw and Matthew Pilley, consultants at Core Business Solutions, in a discussion centered around ISO 13485, a critical standard for medical devices. Murphy and Matthew emphasize the rigorous controls and risk management inherent in ISO 13485. They clarify that the standard applies not only to manufacturers of implantable devices but also to various healthcare industry players, from software providers to...

In this episode of "The Quality Hub" podcast, host Xavier Francis interviews Patrick Gagner, a Cyber Consultant at Business Solutions, about the ISO 27001 and Information Security Management System. Pat explains ISO27001 as an Information Security Management System (ISMS), emphasizing its risk-based approach to safeguarding information confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The standard encompasses controls across various domains of information security, including access control,...

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis engages in a compelling discussion with Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, on the critical intersection of cybersecurity and the ISO 9001 standard. Scott emphasizes the integration of cybersecurity practices into an organization's Quality Management System (QMS), drawing parallels to traditional quality control processes. The conversation delves into key aspects such as policy creation, employee training, patch...

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis engages in a compelling discussion with Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, on the critical intersection of cybersecurity and the ISO 9001 standard. Scott emphasizes the integration of cybersecurity practices into an organization's Quality Management System (QMS), drawing parallels to traditional quality control processes. The conversation delves into key aspects such as policy creation, employee training, patch...

On this episode of the Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis engages in a crucial discussion on cybersecurity with Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions. They highlight the diverse tactics employed by cybercriminals, from phishing to malware and social engineering. They share a recent survey reveals that a mere 14% of small businesses have a cybersecurity plan in place, leaving a staggering 86% vulnerable without a formal strategy. Scott emphasizes that cybersecurity isn't just about...

On this episode of the Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis engages in a crucial discussion on cybersecurity with Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions. They highlight the diverse tactics employed by cybercriminals, from phishing to malware and social engineering. They share a recent survey reveals that a mere 14% of small businesses have a cybersecurity plan in place, leaving a staggering 86% vulnerable without a formal strategy. Scott emphasizes that cybersecurity isn't just about...

Join us in this engaging podcast episode as host Xavier Francis sits down with ISO experts Suzanne Weber-Smatko and Bruce Newman. Delve into the intricate world of aerospace ISO standards, where they unravel the unique attributes of AS9100/9120. Discover how AS 9100/9120's laser focus on product safety, operational risks, and stringent supplier controls sets it apart in the aerospace sector. Uncover riveting anecdotes that illustrate the critical importance of adherence to these standards,...

Discover the transformative power of integrated management systems (IMS) in this engaging podcast episode. Join host Xavier Francis and Suzanne Strausser, VP of Consulting and Development at Core Business Solutions, as they unravel the benefits of harmonizing ISO standards into a seamless framework. Learn how IMS not only saves time and resources but also enhances communication, and more! Gain insights into real-world success stories, challenges, and essential considerations for implementing...

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis interviews AJ Puylara from NQA to delve into what registers and auditors look for in an ISO audit. They discuss major and minor non-conformances, highlighting that majors represent total breaks in procedure while minors are lapses in procedures. Observations are also mentioned as opportunities for improvement. The podcast emphasizes the importance of documenting findings and implementing corrective actions, as well as the...

In this episode of "The Quality Hub: Chatting with ISO Experts," host Xavier Francis interviews AJ Puylara, National Sales and Marketing Manager at NQA, a global certification body. AJ shares his experience in the ISO industry and discusses the ISO certification process. He highlights the steps involved, including engaging with a third-party ISO consultant or registrar and conducting a gap assessment among others. The discussion covers the importance of clear communication regarding scope...

In this podcast episode, host Xavier Francis interviews Kaitlin Wierzbach, consultant at Core Business Solutions, about ISO 9001 supplier management. They discuss the significance of supplier management for businesses and highlight the key elements of an effective system. Kaitlin emphasizes the importance of identifying, qualifying, and evaluating suppliers to ensure consistent delivery of quality products and services. They explore the benefits of supplier management, such as continuous...

In this episode of "The Quality Hub," host Xavier Francis interviews Lori Engle, VP of Marketing at Core Business Solutions, about how to market ISO certifications. They discuss the importance of ISO certifications in differentiating businesses in the marketplace and building customer trust. Lori highlights the benefits of ISO certifications, such as improved supply chain reliability and customer satisfaction, and others. She provides strategies for promoting ISO certifications. The...

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, Xavier Francis interviews Renee Ferry and Kevin Metz from Core Business Solutions. The episode explores how management systems, particularly ISO certifications, can help businesses acquire customers. Renee emphasizes that ISO certifications serve as differentiators in various industries and enable companies to bid on government contracts. Kevin discusses the effectiveness of different management systems in attracting customers. The conversation...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, expert Brian Smatko joins host Xavier Francis to discuss effective risk management strategies. They explore the identification of internal and external risks, prioritization methods, and the importance of proactive risk analysis. Drawing from Brian's experience, they highlight the significance of documenting actions and showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement. Real-life examples demonstrate the positive impact of risk management on business growth...

In this Quality Hub chat, host Xavier Francis and Suzanne Strasser VP of Consulting and Development at Core Business Solutions discuss integrating ISO 9001 into daily operations. Suzanne emphasizes the importance of incorporating quality management system (QMS) requirements into normal business meetings and explores various communication channels in which to use. They also highlight the challenges of incorporating management review inputs and outputs, suggesting approaches like documenting...