Over the past few months there has been, with increasing frequency, the publication of many articles written on the emergence or re-emergence of the relational approach to complex business relationships.
Whether it is a true renaissance or not, remains to be seen. After all, the importance of relationships in business, and for that matter, in everyday life is not a “new” concept.
However, what is new, is that for the first time there is a means by which you can quantify and evaluate the effectiveness of your relationships.
ISO 44001 Standard: Moving From Intent To Actualization
In today’s increasingly diverse marketplace, the complexity of doing business demands more than just a simple intent to collaborate. It requires both a commitment and a solid understanding of the changing dynamics in how government and industry do business, and the critical role that relationships play in achieving successful outcomes.
To this end, and to address the complexities of public-public and public-private business arrangements, several collaborative models and corresponding frameworks have emerged over the past decade. The primary objective of these new models was to move beyond the transactional architecture and mindset that has limited collaboration effectiveness.
While this demonstrated a recognition and intent to become relational, a clearly defined framework through which such relationships could actually be structured, implemented, and measured for effectiveness on an ongoing basis, was not available.
ISO 44001, presents a real and meaningful opportunity for organizations to both contribute and share best practice methodologies in the areas of collaboration and relationship management.
Originally established in 2013, the ISO/PC 286 Collaborative business relationship management framework, was proposed by the British Standards Institution in the United Kingdom – otherwise referred to as “BSI-UK” based on the success of the BS 11000 model in the UK and Europe. ISO 11000 which has been renamed to ISO 44001 was approved for publication on December 6, 2016.
With an established and globally recognized standard such as the ISO 44001, a continuity of understanding and progressive insight will ultimately create a truer and more enduring framework that will serve as the standard for relationship management.
New Standard Inevitability
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international organizations that was founded on February 23rd, 1947. Focused on promotion worldwide proprietary, industrial and commercial standards, ISO was one of the first organizations that was granted general consultative status by the United nations Economic and social Council.
Needless to say, ISO certification carries a great deal of influence around the globe in terms of certifying that an organization’s management system, manufacturing process, service and documentation procedure meet all the requirements for standardization and quality assurance.
In this context, the introduction of the ISO 44001 standard was inevitable. The reason is relatively straight forward; relationships and relationship management – especially when it comes to managing complex contracts, requires more than an enforcement of legal terms and conditions. It requires true collaboration and transparency between all stakeholders, which prior to the establishment of the ISO 44001 standard, were merely reflections of the desire to work together.
Upcoming ISO 44001 Related Seminars and Workshops
Strategic Relationships Solutions Inc., in partnership with the Centre for Executive Leadership, Telfer School of Management, and the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) is pleased to offer a seminar on Relationships Management and Relational Contracting in Ottawa on May 23-25 and Toronto on June 14-16, 2017.
For more information and registration please see course outline for details or contact us directly at Relationships@srscan.com
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Relationships First