STANDARDS SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF CEOS
THE importance of standards to the performance of Businesses cannot be over-emphasized.  Business executives must recognize that their companies can be disadvantaged if they fail to embrace the application of standards in their corporate strategies and operations.
Most companies consist of a network of interrelated activities, internal and external.  Their operations may include engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, human resources, the supplier base, accounting, marketing, government relations, among others.
This is, of course, patently obvious, and some companies are investing significant resources in an effort to continuously improve the performance of their operating network.  Far less obvious in this context is the fact that standards, in one form or another, play a critical role in the performance of nearly every area in the corporate network, a fact not well appreciated by Executive Management.
Every company has a strategic plan, whether it is formally articulated or not and the success of a company is measured by the extent to which it achieves or exceeds the planned objectives, assuming the plan itself is appropriately comprehensive.  From the perspective of the network model it is reasonable to ask whether overall corporate performance can be optimized when standards, key to the performance of individual corporate activities, are not addressed in the planning process.
Corporate performance is measured, in part, by the extent to which revenues are increased and costs reduced, especially those costs that add no value. These two criteria apply to every mode in the network.  Just as standards are crucial tools in building revenues and reducing costs, they are also fundamental in optimizing corporate performance.
Standards can help businesses to stay competitive and be more profitable.  Standards eliminate excess costs, boost productivity, satisfy consumer needs, and protect the workforce and the public.
Far from impeding business, standards actually break down barriers to trade, provide industry stability, and encourage commerce.  Standards are the foundation for innovation, so they hasten the rate of implementation of new technology.  Standards and technology are natural partners to the strategic marketing plan, which is clear evidence that standards should be given important consideration by business managers as well as of engineers and technicians.
Standards are important for every company, because standards influence the design, the manufacturing and the marketing of many products worldwide.  Standards create large markets throughout the world instead of many fragmented markets.
Now, more than ever Regional and International markets are demanding standards and the activities related to certification and the truth is, if you’re not part of the process you may be left behind, constantly trying to catch-up or simply locked out.  Effective participation in the standardization process and conformity assessment or certification, can help CEO’S to position their company at the forefront of major business developments that are the key to growth.
For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 219-0062 or write to us at the National Exhibition Complex, Sophia.