Episode 11 - S4 -ISO 9001 What is the Human Side of Quality – Purpose and Performance Part 1

On this episode of the Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts it’s In Part 2 in the series on the human side of quality! Host Xavier Francis continues his conversation with Kaitlin Wierzbach, Consultant at Core Business Solutions,  exploring how people-centered quality systems drive real performance. This episode examines common mistakes that unintentionally disengage employees and explains what aspects can lead to involvement, improved consistency, customer satisfaction, and organizational resilience. Kaitlin emphasizes that when leadership makes quality safe, ISO 9001 becomes a living system that strengthens both culture and results.   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 [email protected] 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 is joined by Kaitlin Wierzbach, Consultant at Core Business Solutions, for Part 1 of a deep dive into the human side of quality—where purpose and performance truly intersect. The conversation explores the cultural warning signs of a quality management system, why compliance-driven systems often fail in practice, and what changes when organizations shift from checking boxes for audits to using quality as a tool for real improvement. Kaitlin shares practical insights on leadership involvement, employee engagement, documentation that reflects reality, and how embedding quality into everyday work transforms ISO 9001 from an obligation into a living system that drives trust, accountability, and customer satisfaction.   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 [email protected] 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, host Xavier Francis sits down with Core Business Solutions consultant Joe Hill to explore how organizations can integrate multiple ISO audits into a single, streamlined assessment. They discuss the difference between combined and integrated audits, how modern ISO standards share a harmonized structure that makes integration easier, and why bringing multiple systems together can reduce redundancy and improve efficiency. Joe shares insights from his years in certification auditing, explaining how integrated systems provide a more holistic view of organizational performance, improve communication across departments, and can even reduce audit time and cost. The conversation also covers common challenges, best practices for designing an integrated assessment, and practical advice for organizations looking to add new standards without creating siloed processes.   Helpful Resources: Auditing Services:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-auditing-services 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 [email protected] 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 consultant Bree Bailey to demystify the ISO 9001 certification audit and take the fear out of the word “audit.” From what a certification audit actually is, to how Stage 1 and Stage 2 work, what auditors are really looking for, and how findings are handled, Bree walks listeners through the entire process in a clear, practical, and reassuring way. Whether you’re new to ISO 9001, preparing for your first certification audit, or heading into recertification, this conversation breaks down the structure, expectations, and purpose of the audit so you know exactly what to expect—and how to be successful.   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 [email protected] 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 is joined by Core Business Solutions consultant Yarelis Rios to explore the ISO 9001 internal audit process and its real purpose within a quality management system. Drawing on over two decades of experience in engineering and quality leadership, Yarelis explains how internal audits should go beyond simple compliance checks to evaluate process effectiveness, identify risks, and uncover opportunities for continual improvement. The discussion covers how auditors can shift from a “policing” mindset to a collaborative, value-adding approach, how leadership and risk-based thinking are evaluated, and the differences between nonconformities, opportunities for improvement, and observations. Listeners will gain practical insights on using internal audit results to strengthen decision-making, support management review, and drive long-term organizational performance.   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 [email protected] 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, Xavier Francis interviews Beau Butaud of Render Compliance to break down what SOC 2 is, who it’s for, and whether it’s worth pursuing. They discuss how SOC 2 serves as a third-party audit that builds trust between B2B companies handling sensitive data, explain the five Trust Services Criteria with a focus on security, and clarify the differences between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 reports. The conversation also compares SOC 2 to ISO 27001, outlines typical costs and annual renewal expectations, and offers practical advice for organizations considering certification, emphasizing the importance of planning, proper scoping, and working with experienced professionals.   Helpful Resources: Beau Butaud - Email: [email protected], Website: rendercompliance.com, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaubutaud/ SOC 2 Compliance:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/soc-2-compliance For All Things ISO 9001:2015: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-9001-2015 Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at [email protected] 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, Xavier Francis and CMMC consultant Ty Elliott discuss the current state of CMMC following the November 10, 2025 implementation of the final rule integrating CMMC 2.0 into federal contracting requirements. They explain what’s required now—Level 2 self-assessments for companies handling CUI—and what’s coming next, including mandatory third-party certification beginning November 10, 2026. The episode emphasizes that compliance is no longer optional, self-attestations carry legal risk, and organizations must begin preparing immediately to remain eligible for defense contracts.   Helpful Resources: What is CMMC?:  https://www.thecoresolution.com/nist-cmmc-3 CMMC Webinars: https://www.thecoresolution.com/cybersecurity-webinars The Core Vault Solution: https://www.thecoresolution.com/core-vault Contact us at 866.354.0300 or email us at [email protected] A Plethora of Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources

In this episode of The Quality Hub: Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis sits down with Suzanne Strausser, VP of Consulting and Development at Core Business Solutions, to unpack Opportunity Management—the often-overlooked half of ISO 9001 Clause 6.1. The conversation explores why organizations tend to fixate on risk while missing chances to intentionally create value, clarifies how ISO defines “opportunity” beyond simple improvement, and explains how proactive opportunity management can transform a QMS from a compliance exercise into a strategic business tool. Suzanne shares practical insights on leadership’s role, cultural mindset shifts, real-world examples, and what organizations should start doing now as ISO 9001 moves toward its 2026 update, making this episode a must-listen for quality professionals looking to drive growth, innovation, and long-term success through their management systems.   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 [email protected] 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 CORE Business Solutions consultant Brian Smith to break down the concept of risk-based thinking in ISO 9001—what it really means, how it aligns with traditional risk management, and why it’s essential for preventing surprises and strengthening business performance. Brian explains how organizations can identify and address both risks and opportunities through structured approaches like monitoring key issues, using meaningful metrics, and calibrating actions based on the level of risk. The conversation also explores how the upcoming ISO 9001:2026 update is expected to more clearly separate risks from opportunities to encourage organizations to actively leverage what could benefit them, not just mitigate threats. Throughout the discussion, Brian emphasizes leadership’s role in turning risk-based thinking into a true culture of quality, driven by communication, employee engagement, and continuous improvement—especially as technology and AI rapidly reshape the business landscape.   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 [email protected] 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 welcomes back Suzanne Weber-Smatko, Director of Consulting Services at Core Business Solutions, for a practical and engaging discussion on ISO 9001 and the critical importance of aligning strategic objectives with quality objectives. Together, they explore why quality management systems should support business strategy—not operate as a parallel compliance exercise—and where organizations often go wrong by treating quality as a cost center rather than a strategic tool. The conversation covers leadership ownership, cascading objectives from the top down, engaging employees at all levels, and using meaningful metrics, risk-based thinking, and management review to drive real business value. Whether you’re part of a small business or a larger organization, this episode offers actionable insights on how to integrate quality into your strategy to improve performance, engagement, and results.   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 [email protected] A Plethora of Articles: https://www.thecoresolution.com/free-learning-resources ISO 9001 Consulting: https://www.thecoresolution.com/iso-consulting