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SGS MARKETING DEPARTMENT IS HERE TO ASSIST!

In the quality certification world, many companies go through the rigors of implementing a system, maintaining the system, and eventually certification. The problem is often these companies keep the news of their registration hidden from the rest of the world. By using various marketing approaches, a company can have tools that will help to proclaim their quality accomplishments and possibly gain further business.

SGS has several ways to assist a client when they are looking to promote their certification. One way to do this is through the SGS Marketing Assistance Program. SGS has created this free program to aid and encourage their clients to market themselves and share the value of reaching certification. The program introduces ideas such as, creating press releases, access to the online SGS Boutique, access the QSU Database, approved usage of the SGS logo, and usage of the SGS Certified Clients Database.

Press Releases add enormous value and have become extremely popular amongst our client base. SGS works closely with the client to create Press Releases that captures the importance of the certification achieved.  The Press Release includes specific company details, management and employee quotes, along with certification details. Once a press release is created and approved by the client, if the client chooses, SGS distributes the document to several publications (PR News Wire, local newspaper, trade magazines, and etc.). The publications are suggested and approved by the client.

The wide distribution of several publications provides high visibility which enables the client to promote to their certification to existing and new clients. The release can be printed up and distributed at trade shows, sent out to clients when invoices are mailed, put in sales packets, posted on the company website (“News” or “Press Release” sections, etc.). SGS highly encourages clients to take part in this program. They feel it is a strong method when marketing a client’s certification.

An SGS Online Boutique is available for clients to purchase various certification related items. The boutique offers an array of items, which includes soft cotton tee shirts to stickers/van magnets to flags or even silver plated walnut plaques. The most popular item offered would be the SGS flag. The 4’ x 6’ white nylon flag is very noticeable to everyone while flowing on a flag pole, displayed on the side of a building, or within the facility. Additionally, SGS has also found that people use these items to promote certification while exhibiting at trade shows.

All certified clients are also added the QSU Website (www.whosregistered.com). This is the world’s largest free global listing of certified suppliers to ISO 9000, ISO/TS 16949, TL 9000, AS9100, and ISO 14001 anywhere in the world. Provided are the options to search by company name, location, products, and services listed in the scope of certification. This website takes the hassle out of finding certified companies.

Once certification is obtained, an SGS Certification Logo is available for a variety of usage. Logo support is also provided to assist the client when marketing their certification. To protect the SGS brand, each certified client is asked to follow specified guidelines when displaying the SGS Certification logo. These guidelines have been set up and implemented through the SGS Global offices in Geneva, Switzerland. The SGS Certification logo is available to be posted on business cards, letter head, and tee shirts, just to name a few of the possibilities. Printing the SGS logo on business card markets the client’s achievements along with displaying true devotion to the certification.

SGS offers a global Certified Client Database as well (www.sgs.com/clients/certified). Clients rely on the database as a reference to confirm their certification to other parties (clients, potential clients, etc.). This SGS hosted website makes it convenient and reliable when confirming a certification. Whether the company is certified in the United States, United Kingdom, or Thailand, the SGS database can provide absolute verification.

SGS highly encourages all certified clients to take part in all marketing approaches and tools. All tools listed in this article have been developed to help each client market their company’s hard work, dedication, and certification. Marketing the certification will provide positive exposure and assist in creating relationships for new business, new and in the future.

Amy McGee is the Marketing Media Specialist for SGS Systems & Services Certification. She is based in our Rutherford, NJ headquarters and specializes in the creation and execution of various marketing activities for North America.