The Quality Hub

On this episode of The Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis is joined by consultant Pat Gagner to discuss how organizations can align quality with innovation through digital transformation. They explore how moving beyond paper-based and manual processes can improve documentation, traceability, audit readiness, compliance monitoring, and real-time decision-making within an ISO-based management system. The conversation also examines the role of automation, data analytics, and digital tools in handling repetitive tasks while allowing people to remain focused on judgment, problem-solving, accountability, and continual improvement.
Helpful Resources:
How is ISO 9001 Implemented?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/how-is-iso-9001-implemented
For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015
Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at info@thecoresolution.com
A Plethora of Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources
ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting

In this episode of the Quality Hub, Xavier Francis is joined by Suzanne Strausser, VP of Operations at Core Business Solutions, to break down how organizations can choose practical metrics and KPIs that truly support ISO 9001. They explain the differences between objectives, metrics, and key performance indicators, share examples for customer satisfaction, delivery, quality, training, and more, as well as discuss how to avoid measuring data that adds little value or encourages the wrong behavior. The conversation also offers practical guidance for small and midsized businesses on keeping KPIs simple, meaningful, aligned with customer expectations, and useful for evidence-based decision-making and continual improvement.
Helpful Resources:
How is ISO 9001 Implemented?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/how-is-iso-9001-implemented
For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015
Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at info@thecoresolution.com
A Plethora of Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources
ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting

This week on the Quality Hub, it’s Part 2 of our conversation on building a security-first culture. Host Xavier Francis is joined by Tracy Bear, Manager of Audit Services at Core Business Solutions, to explore how organizations can keep ISO 27001 active and meaningful long after certification. They discuss measuring employee behavior instead of simply tracking compliance, creating a blame-free environment that encourages fast reporting, supporting hybrid and remote employees with practical safeguards and more. The episode also highlights the importance of ongoing training, celebrating security wins, and treating ISO 27001 as a living management system that helps employees work confidently, efficiently, and securely.
 
Helpful Resources:
ISO 27001:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-27001
Who Needs ISO 27001?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/who-needs-iso-27001-certification
The Benefits of ISO 27001:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/the-benefits-of-implementing-iso-27001
For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015
Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at info@thecoresolution.com
ISO 9001 Standards: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-90012015-standard-1
Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources
ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting
 

In this episode of The Quality Hub: Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis speaks with Tracey Bear, Manager of Audit Services at Core Business Solutions, about how organizations can build a true security-first culture under ISO 27001. Tracey explains why information security should not be treated as a one-time compliance project or something owned only by IT, but as a company-wide mindset led by top management and understood by every employee. The conversation explores how leadership can make security relatable, reduce blame culture, and help employees see their role in protecting data and much more. Tracey also discusses common cultural barriers, including the belief that security slows work down, the “not my job” mindset, and fear-based reporting, while offering practical insight into creating short, relevant, real-world security awareness training that supports stronger habits every day.
Helpful Resources:
ISO 27001:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-27001
Who Needs ISO 27001?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/who-needs-iso-27001-certification
The Benefits of ISO 27001:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/the-benefits-of-implementing-iso-27001
For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015
Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at info@thecoresolution.com
ISO 9001 Standards: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-90012015-standard-1
Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources
ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting
 

In part two of this Quality Hub: Chatting with ISO Experts conversation, host Xavier Francis continues the discussion on supplier resilience and quality with Jutta Bangs from the Tennessee APEX Accelerator. This episode focuses on what organizations should document in their quality management system when disruptions force them to use alternate suppliers, substitute materials, or expedite purchasing decisions. Edith explains why documentation is critical for auditors, customer expectations, government contracts, and continuous improvement, while also sharing practical ways businesses can strengthen supplier management without overcomplicating their QMS. From mapping critical suppliers and building qualified backup options to adding resilience into supplier scorecards and more, this episode highlights how organizations can be proactive, prepared, and better positioned when the next disruption occurs.
 
Helpful Resources:
Jutta Bangs:  jutta.bangs@tennessee.edu
National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX): www.napex.us
How is ISO 9001 Implemented?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/how-is-iso-9001-implemented
For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015
Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at info@thecoresolution.com
A Plethora of Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources
ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting

In this episode of The Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis sits down with Jutta Bangs from the Tennessee APEX Accelerator to discuss supplier resilience and quality in the face of modern disruptions. From COVID and tariffs to port delays, labor shortages, and material constraints, many organizations have learned just how fragile their supplier networks can be. Jutta explains why businesses need to move beyond once-a-year supplier evaluations and take a more dynamic, risk-based approach that considers financial stability, geographic exposure, and more. The conversation also explores how ISO 9001 supports stronger supplier management, why relying on a single source can create major vulnerabilities, and how small and mid-sized businesses may find new opportunities as government buyers place greater value on dependable, resilient suppliers.
 
Helpful Resources:
Jutta Bangs:  jutta.bangs@tennessee.edu
National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX): www.napex.us
How is ISO 9001 Implemented?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/how-is-iso-9001-implemented
For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015
Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at info@thecoresolution.com
A Plethora of Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources
ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting

In this special World AI Day episode of The Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis tries something different by interviewing a live AI guest, “Chip Gatt,” as if it were an ISO consultant. The episode uses the interview format to explore what it feels like to engage with AI in a professional conversation, especially around complex topics like ISO standards, consulting, trust, and decision-making. Rather than presenting AI as a replacement for human expertise, the conversation invites listeners to think critically about how AI fits into the business world, where its limitations become clear, and why human judgment remains essential when applying standards in real organizations.
Helpful Resources:
More About ISO 42001: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-42001-certification
Why ISO 42001 Certification Matters: https://www.thecoresolution.com/why-grammarlys-iso-42001-certification-matters
How is ISO 9001 Implemented?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/how-is-iso-9001-implemented
For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015
Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at info@thecoresolution.com
A Plethora of Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources
ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting

In this episode of The Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts,  host Xavier Francis talks with Renee Ferry, Customer Success Manager at Core Business Solutions, about how long ISO 9001 certification typically takes and what businesses can do to keep the process on track. Renee explains that while a standard ISO 9001 program often takes about six months, companies with the right time, resources, leadership support, and consistent communication can sometimes complete it in as little as four months. The conversation also covers common timeline mistakes, the importance of engaging a registrar early, keeping project teams focused, avoiding unnecessary complexity, and using ISO 9001 as more than a certificate on the wall, but as a practical foundation for continual improvement, efficiency, cost savings, and long-term business growth.
 
Helpful Resources:
How is ISO 9001 Implemented?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/how-is-iso-9001-implemented
For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015
Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at info@thecoresolution.com
A Plethora of Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources
ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting