I'm not particularly pushing for anyone to hire a consultant. I do plug myself on my web site, but then again you might guess I would not want others to get a plug - I want any business generated.
To be honest, taken in context, a consultant would probably not do your company much good at this point. Your complaint is that you cannot get anyone interested and motivated (or few people). That is common and my experience is that a consultant cannot help unless the company is ready. The old saying of "...You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink..." comes to mind. I have had clients which simply weren't ready. No one does anything and as consultant you typically have only the power of informing the client that they're wasting time and money. A consultant typically does not have any authority to do anything.
I had a major client a couple of years ago where no one did anything. A couple of months went by without significant progress. I finally bypassed my contact (the Manager of Quality and Reliability) and spend 15 minutes with the Plant Manager. I went through my "I'm quitting" speech (no progress - we're both wasting our time and when you fail you'll blame me). That afternoon a major management meeting was help. The Plant Mgr made it very clear that the program was a priority. He told the group in no uncertain terms that this was their main priority. He also said: "I know it will be difficult - but - I will take the hit on product quality and on any production short fall during the project." Quite a speech. We set up special weekly meetings (on Thursday 11AM to 12.30PM) in our 'war room'. Chairs were removed for the meeting. Everyone had to stand, explain their progress on their systems and such and each person had 10 minutes to do so.
They and I worked quite hard for the next couple of months. The plant manger supplied food and drink around the clock in the 'war room' at no cost. Many of us were there late at night many times. The registration ended up successful and the facility came through the registration audit with only 1 (one) minor nonconformance. We were all very happy. They took me out that night and we had a rousing evening. They presented me with 'trophy' and really made me feel I was part of their 'family'. I still have very, very warm feelings for them.
Yes - consultants do cost a lot of money. However quite often I hear the refrain that "... a consultant came in and when s/he left there was almost nothing done..." The first question in my mind is 'Did management and the facility in general support the program and do what THEY were supposed to do?' We get blamed quite often for not accomplishing anything. Well, there are good consultants and bad consultants. The same goes for doctors, lawyers, plumbers - any profession. But even a 'good' consultant cannot help a company which is not interested. A doctor can't help a patient who will not take the prescribed medicine.
Time is your friend only if you don't have a 'required' date to register by. Some of my clients have the time and some don't. It sounds as if you have plenty of time. If your major customer came to you and said "You have 6 months to register and if you do not register in 6 months all of our business will be transferred to XYZ Company" a different priority would be placed on the program. Harley-Davidson only registered to ISO9000 after the German government sent them a letter with a cut-off date after which they would not allow the import of Harley-Davidson motor bikes. For several years upper management at Harley laughed at the ISO9000 'thing'. After the letter things became serious. Other countries were threatening as well. Kicking and screaming, they finally did succeed (by a hair's width - they were really not ready).
Good luck in your effort! Given enough time, any company should be able to reach a point where they can pass a registration audit.
[This message has been edited by Marc Smith (edited 18 February 2000).]
