Saskatchewan Trade Organization One of Six Certified for Quality in Canada (April 1, 2006)

As an organization that started just a decade ago, Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) is the only economic development agency in all of Canada with Level 3 Quality recognition from the National Quality Institute’s (NQI’s) Progress Excellence Program (PEP). In addition, of the 6 firms across the country with this certification, STEP is the only Level 3 organization outside of Ontario.


“STEP started on the roadmap for excellence to improve the organization in order to better service the needs of our members,” said Mr. Dale Botting, President & CEO of STEP. “The quality process is reflective in our most recent membership survey numbers which indicated that 91% of our members would recommend a membership to another exporter, this is up from 88% the year before. The organization’s goal is to generate 100% member satisfaction.”


STEP recently went through an onsite assessment by NQI to verify their quality management and customer relations systems. STEP was commended for the organization’s team commitment to quality; the Board and Staff planning process and system of metrics; the alignment on customer needs, service standards, and overall member satisfaction and measurement; and the continuous focus on quality improvement and better business processes.


“Our focus on and delivery of a quality service has provided each staff member with a great sense of pride in the organization and the work that we do on behalf of exporters, ” says Ms. Angela Wasylynka, Chair of STEP’s Quality Committee. “As we look forward, our staff is committed to continuous improvement at STEP.”


The organization embarked on a goal of obtaining quality certification in the fall of 2003. Since that time the organization has achieved Level 1, 2, and 3 of PEP through NQI (there are 4 levels). Implementation of NQI Certification is synergistic and complimentary to other quality standards like ISO, but it represents a broader framework to show that total quality is within the fabric of how an organization is managed.


NQI is Canada's leading authority on the development and sustainability of excellence through quality and healthy workplace environments. The National Quality Institute (NQI) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides organizational leaders with strategic business frameworks, services and tools that support ongoing performance improvement.


Other organizations in Canada with Level 3 Certification in PEP include: Calian, Kanata, Ontario; Hill & Knowlton Canada Ltd, Toronto, Ontario; Industrial Accident Prevention Association, Toronto, Ontario; Region of Peel, Brampton, Ontario; and Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto, Ontario.


STEP is a non-profit, membership driven, government/industry partnership, designed to promote the growth of Saskatchewan's export industry. STEP assists provincial businesses realize global marketing opportunities through specially tailored services and programs. STEP pursues growth in existing foreign markets and opens doors to new ones. Members include both businesses that are experienced and those that are new to international trade. The team of professionals has the experience, knowledge and international contacts to help companies meet their international marketing objectives.


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For more information contact:
Dale Botting, President & CEO
Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership
Tel: 306-787-7919