The following policy is based on The Small Business Standard published by The Chartered Quality Institute (CQUI). CQI holds the copyright of the Small Business Standard, which is distributed free of charge and which may be reproduced free of charge. The following alterations to the published standard have been made to conform with my business situation.
Responsibility
I will develop and maintain annual plans which:
Business reviews
Regular reviews of the plans will be undertaken. Records of the reviews will be maintained. The reviews will compare results with targets to provide a basis for improving customer satisfaction, business success and management/process methods.
Customer care
This policy and the annual plan for meeting customers’ needs and expectations is to be published on my website and provided to all potential clients on request.
Only services will be offered that can be provided in full. When accepting orders from customers, the methods used will ensure that the customers’ exact requirements are known and that the products or services can be supplied in accordance with those requirements.
There will be an effective communication system for dealing with customer complaints and opportunities provided for customers to make favourable comments. Customer satisfaction will be assessed at the time of the business review.
Where I am responsible for work on a clients property every care will be taken to avoid damage to the property where I am found to be responsible for damage it will be made good at my expense.
Working environment and processes
Equipment will be provided and properly maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements and the manufacturers’ instructions.
Regulatory requirements and instructions related to the operation of equipment will be retained for as long as the equipment is in use. I will not use any equipment for which I have not had appropriate training.
Methods or processes will be in place to provide the customer with what I and the customer expect.
Suppliers
Suppliers of products and services are to be selected on the basis of quality of products, reliability of service (including timely delivery) and cost. The Environmental policy will also be considered. Purchase orders may be verbal or written, as agreed between the business and the particular supplier. Adequate information will be provided when ordering to ensure delivery in accordance with requirements.
Any supplier shortcomings that arise should be considered during the business reviews.
Documentation
I will ensure that I have access to the relevant regulatory documents. Documents given out to customers and other external parties will, as a minimum, contain all normal contact details.
Preventing and correcting product or service problems
Annual plans will consider the effect of any changes in business conditions, objectives or targets relating to customer satisfaction, the quality of processes, products and services. Appropriate actions necessary to prevent problems will be included in the plan. Where a problem arises, action may be taken to rectify the problem and prevent recurrence. This action will depend on the seriousness of the problem and the risk to which the business is exposed.
Records
In addition to the annual plan, the following records will be maintained for a minimum of five years.
Annual Plan 2012-13
All clients will be made aware of this plan and provided with a copy on request.
Ensure Client Satisfaction
Every contract entered into will have clearly defined terms of reference and set out the remedies available to the client if those terms are not met. The terms of reference will include at a minimum
Resources
I will maintain Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurances sufficient to the work for which I am contracted.
I will review my requirements with regards to finance, equipment and business support at the beginning and end of every contract or of individual jobs under larger or framework contract and periodically at other times.
Professional Standards
I will retain membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and meet the Institute standards with regards to continuing professional development. As part of this I will engage in a minimum of 20 hours structured training and 20 hours unstructured professional development between September 2012 and September 2013. This standard was met in 2011-12
Monitoring
All clients will be asked to provide feedback on the quality of service. This will be stored securely together with other correspondence.
Professional development records will be submitted to CIEEM annually to permit the Institute to make an independent judgement as to my professional standards.