SEO Economic Research & ISO
SEO Economic Research is ISO certified. This means that working methods are fixed in written procedures which comply with independently formulated quality standards and that we are constantly striving for improvement.
During the 1990s, SEO Economic Research fixed its quality system in terms of formal procedures based on the 1994 version of the ISO 9001 standard. Since 1996, the independent certification body SGS has conducted twice-yearly audits. So far, SEO has always come through with flying colours. In December 2000, a revised version of the international standard, ISO 9001:2000, was approved by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). Key changes are the central position of the customer and a quality system which is geared to continuous improvement. SEO Economic Research has succesfully passed all audits under this new standard.
According to the ISO 9001:2000 introduction applying the quality system should be a strategic decision. The ISO standard encourages the adoption of a process-led approach to the development, introduction and improved effectiveness of a quality system designed to increase customer satisfaction. "Customers" also include departments within the organisation and individual staff.
The SEO management team shows its committed to the quality system by: (i) measuring client requirements; (ii) defining a quality policy; (iii) setting quality targets; (iv) carrying out management assessments; and (v) making resources available. Detailed procedures can be found in the Quality Handbook.
Key elements
The quality system affects every part of organisation. The following items play an important role:
- Project evaluations. Completed projects are evaluated internally, using a standardised method.
- Customer satisfaction. Upon completion of a job, the client is asked to assess and detail the quality of our performance in writing.
- Internal and external audits. The Quality Co-ordinator and Quality Assistant conduct an internal audit, discuss improvements with other staff members and monitor the results. There is an annual external audit by an authorised institute to assess SEO Economic Research and extend its certification.