A Week in the Life of an ISO Management Systems Consultant
- Danny Lee
- Aug 25, 2024
- 7 min read
After a decade and a half in the RAF, I’m very much use to the “no two days are the same” phrase.
Starting my own business as an ISO Management Systems Consultant takes this to a whole new level.
I’d give you a break down of a typical week, however, every week has been completely different.
Instead, let's look at a single week in the life of an ISO Management Systems Consultant - this last week in fact - and see what I’ve been up to!
Monday: ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) Consultancy
Monday kicked off with a 7km walk around the Oxfordshire Countryside to run through some ideas I had for the week and ways in which to grow my Company - bet you weren’t expecting that.
Once I’m back, showered, fed and dressed, it’s time to begin prepping for my 9am client.
This is a project that I’m really enjoying.
The client requires a full system build to integrate ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) into their already existing management system portfolio.
Clearly I’m not able to go into detail here as I’m bound by Non Disclosure Agreements - and more than that, it’s unprofessional.
As a rough idea, though, I spent the morning running through the activities we conducted during our last consultation session and the upcoming plan for the day.
Once we were both onboard with what was required for the day, I dropped off Teams and set about building a bespoke Risks and Opportunities register, formulating Environmental Objectives, and generating an Aspects and Impacts register.
This is all based on the client’s needs, their business activities, strategic direction and their position in the market.
Later on in the day it was time for catching back up and running through everything I had achieved - as well as setting targets for the next time we’d meet.
I would read an email in the coming days from the client expressing their gratitude for a job well done - this really helps to reduce the Imposter Syndrome.
Read all about my Imposter Syndrome here 👉🏼 Imposter Syndrome and How to Get Over It
After that, it’s time to type up the notes to detail everything we had discussed - to keep a record of events - this really comes in handy when you have multiple clients on the go at one time (much easier to remind yourself of where you left off and what’s coming up next).
Once the notes are complete and sent off, its time to raise an invoice for the day’s work.
I use software called FreeAgent for this - it makes tracking Invoices soooo much easier.
Once the Invoice is sent off, it's time to update my Project Management Software - Notion, moving the project along for the day and into the next phase.
Final thing for the day is to update Notion with the initial details of the blog to be released on Sunday (the one you are reading right now 😁)
Key Activities:
Morning walk for business idea inspiration
Project planning
One on one consultation meeting
ISO 14001 Management Systems building
Handover of deliverables
Project notes
Invoicing
Notion project phasing
Blog prep
Tuesday: ISOQAR Associate Network
This one came out of no where.
On Monday, I was contacted by one of the team members at ISOQAR Alcumus - a Third Party Certification Body regulated by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
They had viewed my website and, after reviewing the services I offer to Investigate, Implement and Improve ISO Management Systems, they had decided that I could be a good fit to provide One System Mgt Ltd services to their clients - so reached out and put a meeting request in palce for today.
Let’s quickly break down what that looks like.
A Third Party Certification Body exists to conduct independent and impartial external audits on an organisation's ISO Management System(s) - to ensure it conforms to the Standard in which they are being audited against (i.e ISO 9001 Quality Management System).
In some cases, the organisation they are auditing requires additional support to bring the system up to the standard required for certification.
To remain impartial, as to not "mark their own homework", Third Party Certification Bodies are unable to provide consulting services.
That's where One System Mgt Ltd comes in.
ISOQAR have a network of Consultancy Companies (like mine) - called the ISOQAR Associate Network - that can provide this service on their behalf.
Clearly, ISOQAR are not able to recommend a specific Consultancy Company (otherwise it would defeat the purpose).
So what happened?
Well, our scheduled 15 minute discovery discussion turned into 45 minutes.
The ISOQAR team member that got in touch was great, extremely professional, willing to go the extra mile to explain concepts that I was unfamiliar with and was genuinely interested in the capabilities of my company - I’m sure, to make sure that their clients are receiving the best possible service.
The 45 minute Teams call came to an end and there we have it, One System Mgt Ltd has officially signed up to the ISOQAR Associate Network.
This is a very proud moment for me.
For those that know, ISOQAR was one of the main companies I wanted to work for upon leaving the RAF - It just so happened that I realised being employed would delay my ambition of growing a successful Consultancy Company which allows me to employ likeminded professionals in the future.
And, of course, there’s an entire business strategy and plan already in place to achieve this.
So you might be thinking - ok, so thats 45 minutes of your day… what else did you achieve.
Well, I went for a beard trim, worked on some One System Mgt Ltd documentation and had a meeting with two potential Consultants for One System Mgt Ltd - but more on that in the future.
All this was rounded off with a 1 hour Field Hockey training session, a 30 minute game and ironing my suit for tomorrow's onsite client.
Key Activities:
Developing strategies to increase client acquisition
Beard trim
One System Mgt Ltd document creation
Business expansion
Hockey
Wednesday: ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) Certification Preparation
Today saw me with a client I’ve spent the last few months with - onsite at their premises.
I always enjoy being onsite with a client - gives me a reason to get dressed up in my summer suits (minus the tie, of course).
They already have an established ISO 9001 Quality Management System in place but require some additional support to ensure their system fully aligns with their strategic direction and is ready for Third Party Certification - from a UKAS accredited Certification Body.
We focused on:
Clause 8 - Operations
Clause 9 - Performance Evaluation
Clause 10 - Improvement
Once again, the day had drawn to an end and the Management Team were happy with the work I had carried out for the day.
It was time to head home for some business administration.
Write up the visit notes to provide an overview of the day
Create and send the Invoice
Update my Project Management Software (Notion) to move the project along into the next phase
A practice run creating my first Podcast episode
Then it was time for a 7pm - 11pm Business Strategy Teams call with a potential Consultant for One System Mgt Ltd - again, more to follow in the future.
Key Activities:
Onsite client visit
Developing Clauses 8, 9 & 10 for the client
Business Administration
Business Strategy Meeting
Thursday: Taking One System Mgt Ltd to the next level!
What an exiting day Thursday turned out to be!
It’s too early to explain what meeting took place, who it took place with or what we shook hands on.
Just know that the paperwork is being drawn up and, all being well, all will be revealed in the coming weeks!
Key Activities:
🤫
Friday: ISO 9001 Quality Management System Consultancy
Today was another on site visit and it identified a need to adapt the Auditing Schedule for my client.
I have two planned Internal Audits with them (conducting Internal Audits on their processes and systems, on their behalf).
I advised that with the right planning, and a more streamlined approach, we could adapt the Auditing Schedule to allow more time to be aligned to conducting their business activities - which supports the strategic direction of the organisation.
We spent the day putting the plan in place and creating an audting programme that better suited thier requirements - and crutially, covered all aspects of ISO 9001. This gave them the confidence they required to conduct future Internal Audits knowing they would be compliant.
As always, back to my office for business administration:
Raising visit notes
Creating and sending the Invoice
Updating my Project Management Software
Updating the contents of the Blog
Fridays are generally a day I dedicate to my own business development, creating blog posts and other content creation, adding new projects that come online, updating my Project Management Software and a myriad of other activities.
However, today’s project was a refreshing change to my Friday routine.
Key Activities:
Internal Audit Scheduling
Business administration
Let's wrap this up
As you can see, the life of an ISO Management Systems Consultant is varied and dynamic.
From client meetings and on-site visits to report writing, content creation and business expanstion - no two days are alike.
It’s a role that requires strong organisational skills, self discipline, and excellent communication at all levels.
If you enjoy problem-solving, working with diverse clients, and helping businesses achieve their goals, this could be the perfect career for you.
Thanks for reading!
If you would like more insights into life as an ISO Management Systems Consultant, stay tuned for our next post and don’t forget to subscribe to The Consultancy Life for more tips and advice.
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