Do you want to demonstrate that your business is consistently meeting requirements for quality, environmental and occupational safety and health? It is time to implement the National Standard – Requirements for Good Management Practices for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (GYS 231:2010). This document, which is available at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), was adopted from a CARICOM Regional Standard to enhance performance of local businesses.
Standards offer numerous benefits for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as they do for large, global companies in ensuring consistency and increased profits. The MSME Standard offers simplified requirements that serve to guide businesses regardless of type towards the successful implementation of Good Management Practices (GMPs) .
Local Small businesses cannot continue to omit standards from their recipe for success. Like thousands of small businesses around the world local businesses should begin to take advantage of the benefits of standards, which include efficient allocation of resources, heightened operational efficiency, easier access of products and services to export markets, and increased consumer confidence.
According to the International Organization for Standards (ISO), Standards make market access easier, particularly for MSMEs. The GYS 231:2010 Standard defines the fundamental requirements to enhance small business performance through the process of continual improvement, assurance of quality, environment and occupational safety and health requirements, and preventing nonconformity.
The standard outlines, for MSMEs to be effective, an atmosphere that provides focus and encourages positive behaviour is necessary. As such, it recommends that defined improvement goals and objectives be established.
Like the popular ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard, the MSME Standard offers clear definitions of the roles, responsibilities and authorities for the implementation of the management system; and records and documents must be controlled. Further, requirements for competence, awareness and training of employees must be addressed for conformance.
Meanwhile, the standard also provides requirements for measurement, analysis and improvement, which help to demonstrate conformity and ensure the effective management of the business. It also ensures that customers of the business are continually satisfied.
As a small business owner, you should want to fully understand, implement and reap the benefits of GMPs. With its cadre of competent professionals, the GNBS’ doors are always opened for local MSMEs looking to improve their performance and viability.
Through its Training and Technical Assistance Programmes, the GNBS can help businesses to properly implement the requirements of the GMP Standard and other national and international standards.
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