Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire quality management consultants that specialize in your industry

Select a QM consultant who is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in your business or industry. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Auxis, Inc., provides QM consulting services for a range of industries, including consumer products, energy, financial services, hospitality, professional services, transportation, manufacturing, government, pharmaceuticals and real estate. Synergi Solutions specializes in the energy, transport, industrial, health care and local government industries. Shaw Resources focuses on QM services for the health care industry.

Choose QM consulting firms with proven skills

Review the consulting work provided by each quality management and quality assurance firm. Evaluate the firm's experience, qualifications and certifications, and request successful project examples of the specific skill sets you need.

I recommend: PROMAX Consulting Services, Inc., provides quality system and quality assurance management plan services like Lean Six Sigma, TQM, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and Florida Sterling Award. In addition to Quality Management implementation, Technology Research Corporation offers a full menu of program assessment and management support services. ISO Quality Consulting features quality management system training and process improvement related services.

Select quality management system consultants that meet your budget

Many QM consulting firms operate on a retainer with a minimum time commitment. Several utilize an hourly fee structure for short-term projects. Your quality management consultancy cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: QM Consulting, Inc., provides a written quote for each project based on each client's specific requirements. Get a free consultation and project proposal from Hawthorne Management Consulting, Inc., a manufacturing and industrial consulting firm.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure that it is written into your contract that the quality assurance risk management firm will not provide services to any competing business during the course of your professional relationship.
• •  It is tempting to save time by interviewing just one quality management consulting firm. However, it is in your organization's best interest to contact and interview several quality management consultants to discuss your potential project. Two or three choices will provide you with the best possible match in skills, services, price and rapport for both you and the QM consulting firm.