My own personal opinion is that, as a Customer, there are certain inherent factors I want my supplier to meet. Good price and a quality product (that means all of my requirements are met, from product specifications to on-time delivery). Does Registration to ISO 9001:2000 guarantee that these factors will be me? No.
What Registration to ISO 9001:2000 means is that the organization should have the processes and mechanisms in place to
ensure that the Customers requirements are met.
Thus the piece of paper on the wall means nothing to Reputation in the big picture...an organization's ability to continually and consistently meet requirements is. If Registration to ISO 9001:2000 is one of these requirements, then that should help your reputation.
The problem that many of us in the Cove are finding is that too many organizations are "going through the motions" of ISO 9001:2000. This means they are meeting the requirements of the Standard simply for the piece of paper on the wall that says they are Registered. It means nothing.
But every now and then, we find an organization that takes the concept of ISO 9000 and applies with every ounce of their being. Those organizations that care about not only the Customer, but all Stakeholders (Employees, Suppliers, Community, Shareholders, too). Those organizations that apply the requirements not only the quality of their product(s) and the processes that directly affect the product(s), but all aspects of their organization...all processes. In essence, they have more than just a Quality Management System....these organizations have a Business Management System.
Now having one of
those will do wonders for your reputation in your industry!
