With the ongoing support of TDV Global, an Ottawa based management consulting firm, CROSQ has achieved many milestones over the last three years with financial assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Key successes over this period include:

• Implementation of a quality management system
• Development of a strategic plan and related process for sustainability
• Development of a process for developing, publicising and maintaining regional standards
• Completion of a Human Resources evaluation and subsequent implementation of institutional strengthening, policies and procedures at the Secretariat
• Acquisition skills training for Microsoft software for project teams and staff
• Trained Council members on corporate governance
• Implementation of performance by objectives
• Development of a Regional Quality Award

There have been significant improvements in the service capability and delivery of service at the Secretariat level. As jointly announced by Mr. Ron Higgins of TDV and Dr. V Lopez, CROSQ CEO at the Fifteenth Council Meeting held late September, the two organisations will continue to work together well into 2010 to assist the Member States own National Standards Bodies (NSBs)to achieve similar accomplishments to ensure the alignment with the strategic plan and objectives of the Secretariat.

To assist with the development of a CROSQ proposal to strengthen CROSQ capability, most CARICOM Member State NSBs will need to go through a complete assessment to identify their current capability from an Infrastructure, Institutional and Human Resources perspective. In order to accomplish this TDV consultants will need to conduct an Institutional Capability and a Human Resources Assessment in relation to CARICOM initiatives and the CROSQ Strategic Plan.

• Organization structure
• Alignment to CROSQ strategies and objectives
• Adequacy of facilities
• Equipment capability
• IT capability

Human Resources Assessment
An HR assessment will look at:

• Policies and procedures
• Recruitment and Role definition
• Objective Setting
• Performance Assessment
• Training, Development and Coaching

Rewarding and Compensating, and Succession Planning
The results of these assessments will be used to develop a long term strategy to address the gaps and to raise the level of capability to meet regional and international requirements to improve the economy and promote trade, resulting in the promotion of jobs for the region.

The table below illustrates some of the visits scheduled during the period November 2009 to April 2010.

Ongoing Secretariat Sustainability
In addition to the needs assessments TDV Global will continue to assist the CROSQ Secretariat to ensure Sustainability and build off their successes by:

• Providing funds for marketing to promote quality throughout the region, and to assist in the development of a MarCom plan
• Provide mentorship to management to further enhance capabilities
• Provide ongoing training to the staff in relation to process effectiveness and efficiency

TDV Global Inc. is a strategic management consulting company with a clear vision and a global foundation of experience to meet the rapidly evolving challenges of your organisation. TDV's team of seasoned, strategic management consultants provide executive-level, diagnostic, conceptual and analytical expertise to help organizations redesign and revitalize strategic approaches and improve accountability and decision making. Contact TDV in Barbados at 246-823-5220.