08.11.2023 
In 2023, ikp celebrates 20 years of quality certification, which is now even in accordance with the CMS4 standard - another milestone achieved through successful audits
The Austrian PR Quality Mark is THE quality certification for the domestic communications landscape – ikp was one of the first agencies to receive this award. With a proactive approach to future-oriented topics such as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), New Work and sustainability, ikp is constantly raising its quality standards. In summer and fall 2023, the external audits in Vienna and Salzburg were successfully completed and the certification was extended by two years.
The quality mark is based on the internationally established quality standard Consultancy Management Standard (CMS) for communications agencies, which was adapted for the Austrian market in 2014 and expanded to include ethical criteria. The quality mark stands for management and work quality, efficient processes and transparency. An independent audit is carried out every two years for recertification, currently already in accordance with the CMS4 standard – which now also increasingly includes requirements on DEI, employee mental health and sustainability.
Quality = lived practice
However, our quality awareness is not limited to the Austrian PR Quality Mark; we understand business excellence beyond the boundaries of the communications industry. For example, ikp Vienna has already won the Small Companies category of the Austrian Quality Award twice, achieved six out of seven stars according to EFQM and will also be one of Austria’s “Excellent Companies” in 2023.
Current focus areas: AI, DEI and New Work
A lot has happened at ikp Vienna since the last recertification in 2021, which was emphasized positively during the audit: A new working model with reduced working hours and the option of a 4-day week as well as a task force on diversity, equity & inclusion, which has developed a strategy and numerous measures – from a whistleblowing protection policy and a code of conduct extended to include anti-discrimination aspects. In addition, ikp launched a comprehensive training initiative on artificial intelligence (AI).
Expertise meets quality
Quality assurance is a process that requires continuous training and further education. That’s the reason why Daniela Gissing, Senior Consultant at ikp Vienna, expanded her expertise and successfully completed the “Certified PR Quality Manager” course in 2021. Since then, she has been qualified to set up PR quality management systems in Austrian PR agencies and communications departments of companies and institutions and is also authorized to provide them with advice and organizational support in obtaining the Austrian PR Quality Mark.
Photo: ikp/Gabriele Diwald
Want to know more about certifications and awards at ikp? Click here for more information.
Further blog posts on this topic:
https://ikp.at/en/blog/know-how-en/ikp-wien-erringt-erneut-den-kategoriesieg-beim-staatspreis-unternehmensqualitaet/
https://ikp.at/de/blog/ikp-news/6-sterne-fuer-ikp-wien-efqm-auszeichnung-als-exzellentes-unternehmen/
https://ikp.at/de/blog/know-how/ausgezeichnete-pr-qualitaet-bei-ikp-daniela-gissing-als-neue-qualitaetsmanagerin/
