Jeremy Conley has a secret. As head of marketing for Avagio, specialists and champions in high quality ICT service and practices with many small- and medium-sized businesses across the south and west of England, he knows the value of promoting his firm’s CompTIA Accredit UK Trustmark+. And, he’s willing to share how Avagio pursued and acquired this honorable designation.
The Accredit UK Trustmark+ (AUK) is a proven, strong, audited industry credential and the premier benchmark for ICT companies wishing to prove their business excellence and adherence to best practices. Avagio has held the credential since 2010 after deciding to use the Trustmark’s rigour as a way of formalising processes, document control and operating procedures, among other things.
Indeed, Trustmark holders will testify that the application process is, in fact, rigourous. The Accredit UK Trustmark+ has a number of core elements called “general expectations” that are common for all companies seeking to obtain the Trustmark. Following these are five segments, each containing specialisms focusing on areas specific to business activities. The Trustmark credentials are not intended to be easy to achieve. They are robust assessments of a business’ ability to deliver good practice and take quite a bit of preparation and attention to detail to successfully complete.
But the end result may be well worth it. “The independent assessment and validation of our quality processes is the primary benefit to us,” Conley said. “This designation is almost unique among other IT service providers in the southwest of England – our target market. Plus, we have an accreditation under the CompTIA brand – making the independent aspect even stronger.”
Ultimately, the Trustmark enables end-users to make better decisions when choosing an IT solution provider – something that Avagio stands firmly behind. “We believe that small- and medium-sized growing businesses should have access to, and get, the quality of IT support and advice that larger organisations have become used to,” Conley said.
Conley said that consistent, high-quality delivery of IT services that exceed client expectations requires ongoing feedback from service users regarding their experience. “By achieving and maintaining our Trustmark accreditation, Avagio maintains its focus on delivering IT services that represent excellent value for money and reflect proven service quality criteria,” he said.
Avagio can be found, among other AUK holders, in a searchable directory of qualified ICT service providers – available to end-users. Trustmark+ status also provides companies like Avagio with access to a community of peers facing similar challenges, which helps grow and improve their business.
To date, Conley says the Trustmark has contributed to Avagio’s service excellence, including its new client on-boarding forms – part of the client service process. “The Trustmark reassures our client base and we communicate its value regularly,” Conley said.
While the Accredit UK Trustmark+ provides a recognizable mark of excellence and a valuable tool for end-users shortlisting providers, it also gives the organisation the confidence to successfully promote and sell its professional services and solutions.
As for Conley’s secret – well, he’s let it out of the bag. He does recommend AUK to others, but jokingly cautions not too many! “We like to be relatively unique in holding the award, but it’s inevitable that more IT service organisations will achieve the standard,” he said.
So is the Accredit UK Trustmark+ right for you? It is if you want to ensure your ICT business is achieving its potential and meeting growth and improvement objectives. Consider AUK if your business is involved in delivery of any of the following value-added IT services in the UK: communications, infrastructure, software product design and development, ICT consultancy, solutions and support, or e-media and e-commerce.
Take a look at these resources to learn more about the Accredit UK Trustmark+ and what it takes to earn this exclusive credential. View a complete list of CompTIA Trustmark holders here.
