The Quality Hub

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, Xavier Francis hosts a discussion with Scott Dawson, and Drew Markley from Core Business Solutions and Stephanie Alexander CEO of BOOST, on the turbulent landscape of government contracting in 2025. Key issues include stalled contract awards, reduced government staffing, and heightened competition, leading many small businesses to freeze operations out o...

In this episode of the Survive and Thrive series on the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis is joined by Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, and Staci Miller, Director of Operations at WVU Industrial Extension, to explore how leaders can foster resilience during uncertain times. The conversation centers on practical strategies for navigating organizational risk, including the...

In this episode of the Survive and Thrive series on the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis is joined by Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, and John Mattox, Partner at Schoonover and Moriarty, to unpack the evolving landscape of federal contracting for small businesses. They explore the impact of executive orders, contract cancellations, and the FAR rewrite on contractors, wh...

In this episode of the Survive and Thrive series on the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis is joined by Scott Dawson of Core Business Solutions and Jeanne Perron of IMEC to explore how small manufacturers can regain control of their cost structures and supplier strategies. Jeanne introduces the concept of the “silent slide,” where suppliers fail to pass on cost savings, and emphasizes the im...

In this episode of the Survive and Thrive series on the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis speaks with Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, and Dennis Gilbert, President of IMC Pennsylvania MEP, about applying risk-based thinking in times of uncertainty. They explore how small businesses can navigate disruption through agile strategic planning, open team engagement, and refram...

In the kickoff episode of the Survive and Thrive series on The Quality Hub: Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis and Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, introduce a timely new podcast focused on helping small businesses navigate today’s economic uncertainty. With insights drawn from real-world challenges—like shifting federal policies, supply chain issues, and market disr...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis continues his discussion with Kevin Franklin, Chief Product Officer at LRQA, and Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions. Join them as they take a deep dive into the critical role of ISO 42001 in navigating AI risks and establishing trust in AI systems. The conversation demystifies common misconceptions about ISO 42001, highlightin...

In this episode of the Quality Hub podcast, host Xavier Francis speaks with Kevin Franklin, Chief Product Officer at LRQA, and Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, to delve into the timely and crucial topic of AI risk management and governance. AI is here and not going away, and understanding the increasing importance of ISO 42001, a new standard designed to provide businesses—wheth...

In this episode of Quality Hub: Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis and returning guest Bruce Newman, consultant at Core Business Solutions, explore the benefits and challenges of integrating ISO 9001 with other ISO standards (like ISO 14001 and ISO 45001). They discuss how an Integrated Management System (IMS) simplifies operations, reduces costs and much more. Bruce also shares real-w...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis chats with Suzanne Strausser, VP of Consulting and Development at Core Business Solutions, about the value of ISO 9001 certification for startups. They explore how early adoption can help new businesses build structure, reduce costly mistakes, attract investors, and qualify for contracts—all while avoiding common misconceptions like excessive...

In this episode of The Quality Hub – Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis sits down with Drew Markley, VP of Sales, and Renee Ferry, Customer Success Manager at Core Business Solutions, to explore why ISO 9001 certification continues to be a critical asset in today’s competitive market. The conversation addresses common concerns about cost, disruption, and complexity, highlighting how Co...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis is joined once again by Norm Verbeck, consultant from Core Business Solutions, to dive into how ISO 9001 (QMS) and ISO 14001 (EMS) align and complement each other. They discuss the key similarities between the two standards, including shared requirements like management reviews, internal audits, corrective actions,...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis returns with Brian Smith, Director of Consulting Services at CORE, for Part 2 of their deep dive into ISO 9001 risk-based thinking—this time focusing on key metrics. They unpack how to align quality objectives with strategic goals, measure what matters, and track risk at both the organizational and process levels. Brian offers real-world exam...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis is joined by Brian Smith, Director of Consulting Services, to kick off a two-part series on ISO 9001 and risk-based thinking and how to apply it. They explore how the standard shifted to make risk management a central, preventive tool rather than a prescriptive requirement. Brian shares practical tools like the Improvement Plan and SWOT analy...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, chatting with ISO experts, Xavier Francis and Suzanne Weber-Smatko continue their discussion of ISO 9001 Senior Leadership, this time focusing on how middle managers can engage senior leadership in ISO 9001 implementation. They explore key benefits like efficiency, cost savings, and risk mitigation while tackling common challenges like resistance to change and f...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, Xavier Francis and Suzanne Weber-Smatko discuss the critical role of: ISO 9001 Senior Management - Training. They explore leadership’s impact on quality management, key responsibilities, and strategies for integrating ISO principles into business goals. Suzanne highlights challenges like time constraints and resistance to change, offering solutions to drive comm...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis and consultants Kaitlin Wierzbach and Kate Behr discuss how ISO 9001 fosters employee satisfaction through clear expectations, involvement, and recognition. They highlight the role of training, communication, and continuous improvement in creating a quality-driven culture where employees feel valued and engaged—all with a fun ice cream-themed...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis sits down with consultants Kaitlin Wierzbach and Kate Behr from Core Business Solutions to explore how ISO 9001 impacts Organizational Culture. They discuss the challenges and benefits of implementation, how leadership plays a critical role in fostering quality culture, and the ways ISO can enhance employee engageme...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, host Xavier Francis dives into LRQA’s recent acquisition of Core Business Solutions (CBS) with guests Ian Spaulding, CEO of LRQA, and Scott Dawson, President of CBS. They explore the history of both companies, the strategic reasons behind the partnership, and how it will enhance compliance solutions for businesses—especially small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). W...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis is joined by Core Business Solutions' sales and customer success leaders, Kevin Metz and Renee Ferry, to discuss the power of ISO certification for small businesses. From machine shops to government contractors, they explore how ISO 9001 and other standards can streamline operations, improve quality, and open new bu...

In this episode of "The Quality Hub," host Xavier Francis is joined by Norm Verbeck, a consultant from Core Business Solutions, to explore the distinctions between ISO 9001 certification and compliance. Norm discusses the rigorous process of certification, and contrasts it with compliance, where companies internally manage adherence to ISO standards without external audits. This episode sheds ligh...

On this episode of the Quality Hub: Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis continues the discussion with Suzanne Weber-Smatko and Murphy Shaw on quality management methodologies beyond ISO 9001. They explore Total Quality Management (TQM) as a culture-driven framework for continuous improvement, Lean as a waste-reduction methodology focused on efficiency, and the importance of management a...

In this episode of the Quality Hub: Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis discusses ISO 9001 vs other Quality Management Systems - What's the Difference (Part 1) with Suzanne Weber-Smatko and Murphy Shaw from Core Business Solutions. They explore ISO 9001’s role in standardizing processes for consistency and improvement, comparing it to industry-specific standards like ISO 13485 for medic...

In this episode of The Quality Hub, Chatting with ISO Experts, host Xavier Francis welcomes back Suzanne Strasser, VP of Consulting and Development, to explore the PDCA Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and its vital role in ISO 9001. They discuss how this structured, iterative method drives continuous improvement by aligning with key ISO 9001 clauses. From setting goals and testing solutions to analyzing...

On this episode of the Quality Hub Podcast hosted by Xavier Francis, guests Brian Smith and Joe Hill discuss ISO 9001, Clause 7.1.5. They explore how calibration frequency should be determined based on risk levels, such as manufacturer's guidelines, regulatory requirements, and other factors. They stress the need for frequent calibration in high-risk scenarios and discuss the importance of using a...