Management System Professionals Support | CBG Inc.

               by Natalia Scriabina Progress toward sustainability can be compared with an unsuccessful weight loss program. More than 20 years ago the world concluded that it was rapidly progressing toward self-destruction. The main reason for this was identified as an overconsumption and unsustainable use of natural resources (Rio, 1992). Since that time the world has developed about a thousand sustainability indicator initiatives worldwide (IISD, 2014). The world has created rapidly developing institutions, theories, schools, international standards, industry norms, and national legislation. As a global community, we sliced and diced our problem. Now we understand sustainability issues on the level of eco-systems, regions, communities, cities, financial markets, businesses, and specific production processes. We have restricted consumption, emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, and created systems to iden...

A quote often attributed to Mark Twain states, “Sorry about the long letter, I didn't have time to write a short one”. We value the reader’s time and try to be as concise as possible. We try to use descriptive words instead of descriptive paragraphs. E x amples: More practical tips in our best selling training course Audit Interview: Learn Journalists' Secrets . 10% off Registration Fees in July 2013.

It is said that “a goal well set is half way achieved”. There is no better way to set up a goal than to describe it in details. It can be a picture of what we want or conversely, what we don’t want to achieve as an outcome. Using an example from risk management practices, it is not as important to describe what can go wrong, but what our Plan B is. In other words, keep focus on solutions but not on problems and on expectations but not on precautions.  E x amples:

Words have incredible power. Words can hurt and words can help. They can build trust, inspire, and promote a sense of shared goals. Words can steer attention to the areas of commonality or vice versa, keep focus on elements that divide. Words can confuse or they can clarify. A single word can trigger a very powerful emotion and turn the conversation or even an entire business relationship in a different direction. Words should be carefully selected and only used deliberately. This month on our blog we will concentrate on the wording, substance and style of messages communicated by quality professionals. It can serve as a practical guide to help quality auditors, managers, engineers, and other professionals clarify their written messages and inspire their readers to constructive actions. Materials presented here are based on many years of practical experience and analysis of what worked and what didn’t, in written communication related to auditing, consulting, and training in the ...

Being concise matters.  Thirty-second commercials sell. Pictures overpower words. Catchy slogans stay in the mind of consumers. Many would agree that instructions, quality procedures and company policies, should also influence, empower, and drive exceptional results. Unfortunately, in many cases these documents remain either unused or underused.  To illustrate this I’ll give an example taken from my ISO 9001 external audits conducted a few years ago when paperless office was still a novelty. It was quite usual that my interviewee would start our discussion by reaching for a thick dusty folder that was titled “ISO 9001 Documentation”. The folder contained a set of mandatory quality management procedures as well as lengthy and detailed process descriptions and work instructions relevant to the audited areas. We both sneezed as dust puffed up into the air and I made a note that the folder had not been touched since my previous visit to that company. In other words, the ...

Have you ever had a problem communicating with someone? Have you tried to get your point across and just not been able to make the other person understand what you mean? While communication disconnects can sometimes create amusing situations, these situations shouldn’t adversely effect how work is perceived. Most authorities agree that good communication skills enhance productivity and contribute to a positive workplace culture. Ability to communicate ideas, vision, goals, and objectives can improve professional credibility and increase influence.   Communication for Quality Professionals addresses three particular communication areas: One                Achieving clarity in your writing Two                Achieving clarity in your presentations and Three          ...