S TA N D A R D S A S S T R AT E G I C TO O L S
ST ANDARDS AS
STRATEG IC TOOL S
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Toll-free: 877-614-8440
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© 2010 by Michaels & Associates Docntrain, Ltd. dba Michaels & Associates
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ST AN D AR D S AS
STRATEG IC TOOL S
S TA N D A R D S S H O U L D B E A C E N T R A L
C O M P O N E N T O F A N Y S T R AT E G Y
Too often, many companies and business personnel overlook the significance
of standards. Standards use the expertise of the industry and the profession to
establish benchmarks for best practice. When properly implemented,
optimization of resources—human and technological—is at the core of
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standards.
ST ANDARDS AS
STRATEG IC TOOL S
Standards
Standards Organizations
Do you recognize any of these logos? They belong to just a few of the standards organizations for our
industry.
Standards are guidelines and processes that establish the "recommended" approach to a task or activity.
Industries agree on standards relevant to their products and services, and these benchmarks evolve over
time.
The World Standards Services Network (WSSN) functions as a clearinghouse for standards. It provides a
more comprehensive definition of "standard":
"[A standard is a] document, established by consensus and approved
by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules,
guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the
achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context."
How familiar are you with your industry’s standards? There are many good benefits to employing them
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within your organization.
ST AN D AR D S AS
STRATEG IC TOOL S
Benefit 1: Standards facilitate optimal products.
When employees have standards to follow, they can focus on the task at hand. They can produce product instead of troubleshooting product. By
implementing industry standards, they can use a process that has already been tested, refined, and known to yield results.
Without standards, employees spend time solving recurring problems.
Productivity falls.
Benefit 2: Standards promote participation, coherence and
consensus.
Incorporating a valid standard takes input—vertically and horizontally—
within an organization. This can improve employee and
interdepartmental relationships, because the process requires teamwork
and consensus.
Benefit 3: Standards encourage ongoing evaluation and
improvement.
Standards are not meant to be a straitjacket approach to conducting
business. Solid standards are flexible enough to grow with a company
and its employees. Since standards stem from numerous real-world
experiences, they naturally evolve with technology and employee
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ingenuity.
ST ANDARDS AS
STRATEG IC TOOL S
Benefit 4: Standards are rapidly becoming a necessity.
In a marketplace that is increasingly global, standards can give a company competitive advantage. Employing standards can also increase a
business's productivity and profitability.
Benefit 5: Standards are a strategic choice.
Standards are not meant to be a straitjacket approach to conducting
business. Solid standards are flexible enough to grow with a company
and its employees. Since standards stem from numerous real-world
experiences, they naturally evolve with technology and employee
ingenuity.
Your company has a choice regarding standards.

You
can
ignore
standards:
Stratify
the
work
environment and create a setting where employees
busily invent and re-invent tasks and procedures within
their limited sphere of influence. This lack of
standards can be costly.

Or, you can use standards to your fullest advantage:
Openly assess your business activities, encouraging
knowledge
transfers
among
departments
and
supporting the development and implementation of
applicable standards. Standards are a strategic
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choice.
ST AN D AR D S AS
STRATEG IC TOOL S
At Michaels & Associates, we work hard to keep current on trends and standards within our industry. If you are interested in learning more,
contact us to see how these standards can help your organization. Michaels & Associates—where you have a friend in the learning business.
toll-free: 877-614-8440
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www.michaelsandassoc.com
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info@michaelsandassoc.com