With support from the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD), ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. (ACI), formerly ActionCOACH Guyana, has achieved the ISO 9001:2015 certification from the Global Compliance Service USA. This certification is the international standard for quality management systems.
Executive Chairman of ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc., Dr. Vishnu Doerga, said the ISO certification is a culmination of years of hard work and determination to meet to a level that is aligned with internationally accepted standards.
“With oil and gas and other companies coming into the country, what they are looking for is some third-party certification that says, we have audited this company and they are up to standard with international practices. I believe this gives companies a sense of confidence when approaching us for any type of business,” Dr. Doerga said. He believes this certification will allow ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. to attract international clients on a larger scale.
In addition to the support from CLBD, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) also played an integral role in the ISO process.
“During that entire process, I think our clients benefitted significantly, because our systems and procedures became even sharper and we continuously looked at improving to serve them better so even over the two years of this entire process, our clients and even our company, has already benefitted, significantly,” Dr. Doerga said.
ACI has provided business coaching and other services to over 400 local companies, ranging from small scale enterprises to the larger, well-established enterprises.
As part of the preparatory process for the ISO certification, Coaching and Training Director, Mr. Keon Smith, said ActionINVEST acquired several franchises and licenses from internationally-renowned business development and leadership specialists, including ActionCOACH Business coaching, Engage & Grow Culture development, John Maxwell Leadership coaching, Lammore Sales coaching, Accumatch & Disc Assessments and the Who’s Who in Guyana Business directory.
He related, “For example, we can now offer any business development programs through the reputable brands that we have acquired, which have given our clients the assurance that what we are delivering is of the highest quality.”
Smith also stated that ActionINVEST is committed to ensuring that their clients receive value for their investments.
Smith said, “We want them to know that it is not a case where persons just got up and decided to offer these services. It is a clearly thought-out plan to ensure tangible benefits. That is why we have acquired the necessary tools/licensing so that we can deliver our services with confidence.”
Meanwhile, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, said, “I am pleased to congratulate ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. on its efforts to enhance capacity and improve its competitiveness. It takes months of work and hundreds of hours of effort to obtain an ISO 9001 certification, which is a well-known, worldwide-accepted standard for a quality management system.”
In this regard, he reminded that local suppliers are important to the success of its operations and that Exxon will continue to offer its unwavering support.
He stated that, “We recognise that it takes the investment in time, people and resources to grow the supply base in Guyana. This achievement by ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. only reinforces ExxonMobil’s opinion that Guyanese suppliers are up to the challenge of supporting future growth in the country’s various economic sectors.”
ACI is focused on becoming the Caribbean’s Solution to Professional & Organizational Growth by delivering targeted services to individuals and organizations seeking to Invest in their own development.
CLBD has been playing a key role in mentoring local companies for the ISO certification. To date, nine companies have completed its mentorship programme with 7, ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc., attaining ISO certification.
