Developing a quality seal for business services

Córdoba's Business Services Cluster developed an industry Quality Seal for business services companies, both members and non-members, that meet defined requirements across five dimensions: Strategy, Customer Service, Resources, People and Social Responsibility. The seal serves as a gateway to continuous improvement, preparing companies for more demanding certifications such as ISO 9001.

The project worked on three connected fronts. The first completed the design of the seal: final requirements and evidence, administrative and operational processes (registration, audit, follow-up), legal agreements and model contracts, and all communication materials (a dedicated website, institutional materials, logo and certificates). The second built audit capacity and prepared the ecosystem: training internal auditors together with the National Technological University (UTN), which acts as an impartial body, and preparing cluster companies for certification. The third delivered the first cohort: one-on-one advisory support for 10 companies already certified to ISO 9001, industry outreach led by a community manager, and certification of these pioneering companies.

Project lead: Cecilia Lorenzon, Cluster Manager. 050,000 (ARS 4,025,000 non-refundable grant + ARS 3,475,000 cash co-funding from the cluster + ARS 550,000 in kind). Choosing ISO 9001-certified companies as the first cohort lowered initial barriers and sped up adoption of the seal across the sector.