ORCA van Loon Communications has been successfully certified according to the Consultancy Management Standard III (CMSIII). This is the internationally recognized quality standard for communications consultancies. Today, an independent audit certified the quality of the work and processes based on uniform categories such as corporate development, customer satisfaction and human resource management.

“We deliver high-quality work” – these days, many communications consultancies pride themselves on this. The claim may be justified. After all, it can be well substantiated by internal quality management, evaluations, positive feedback and a healthy error culture. However, it is often difficult for outsiders to distinguish between confident assertions and the reality of the work performed.

This is where an independent assessment can provide more certainty by externally confirming the high quality of an agency's management and processes. This provides security for clients, applicants, management and employees and generates trust in a constantly changing market.

External certification of performance thanks to CMS III certification

The German Association of Leading PR and Communication Agencies (GPRA) has recognized this with the CMS III quality standard , creating a tool that enables this independent verification. On the website of the GPRA , it says: “After a successful certification process by independent auditors, the seal of quality certifies that the agencies align their working methods in a total of eight process areas with a high quality management and meet international requirements. The areas include, for example, services in the areas of leadership and communication, corporate development, customer satisfaction, new business and the implementation of projects and campaigns.”

The path to certification

As a member of the GPRA, ORCA van Loon Communications is also committed to these standards. In preparation for the CMSIII exam, the existing processes and working methods were therefore analyzed in smaller teams, adapted if necessary and discussed in regular meetings with all employees. This included, among other things, the areas of human resources and project management, financial management and sustainability. Through the exchange within the teams, the needs and wishes of all employees could be incorporated into the processes. In addition, the results of the discussions directly ensured even more clarity and time savings, for example through clearly defined responsibilities and simplified structures. The preparation for the audit thus also had a positive effect on general communication and the willingness to provide feedback within the team.

Successfully certified

On September 28, ORCA van Loon Communications finally passed the CMS III audit and received the official CMS III seal on the same day. “We are very pleased to be able to make a contribution to more transparency and quality within the communications industry. Because certified quality not only benefits us and our clients, but the entire industry,” emphasizes Hendrik Schulze van Loon, Managing Partner of ORCA van Loon Communications. However, certification is just the first step for ORCA van Loon Communications. ‘We see our quality standards as processes that need to be continuously adapted and improved. This is what we stand for with the CMS III seal,’ Schulze van Loon continues.

Now we can proudly claim: “We at ORCA van Loon demonstrably provide high-quality work.” And we will do everything to ensure this in the future as well.