A new quality mark, aimed at assuring customers and suppliers that Irish businesses meet the highest standards of service and trust on an ongoing basis, has been launched at Croke Park.

The All-Ireland Business All-Star accreditation is an independently verified standard mark for indigenous businesses based on rigorous selection criteria.

The accreditation has been launched following the success of the All-Ireland Business All-Star Awards, which this year attracted 800 entries from businesses nationwide.

The All-Ireland Business Foundation will be responsible for identifying and accrediting best-in-class Irish businesses, overseeing both the awards and ongoing accreditation and promoting peer dialogue.

It will also create an active community of progressive businesses and ambitious businesses leaders who work together and openly share knowledge.

Those companies that come through a rigorous process to attain the Business All-Star standard become part of The Register of Irish Business Excellence(Tribe).

Ongoing Tribe gatherings via the CEO Forum, All-Ireland Business Awards and Accreditation and the Foundation’s annual flagship event the All-Ireland Business Summit will allow members to share experiences, explore opportunities and grow businesses both locally and internationally.

The Foundation’s adjudication panel is chaired by Dr. Briga Hynes of the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics, with an advisory board made up of a panel of volunteer judges, mentors and businesses experts.

The Foundation exists to identify and support best-in-class indigenous businesses over a long-term basis,’ said Mr. Ring.

He added: ‘It allows them to attain and, most importantly, maintain the highest verified standards for the benefit of both businesses and consumers.

“It is about giving a piece of mind to the people who mean it when they say that they run customer-centric businesses.”

“A businesses owner is normally three steps away from a customer’s first contact, and they need to be sure their company operates to the highest standards.”

Once a company applies for Business All-Star accreditation they go through a six-step process.

“We evaluate a company’s background, trust-worthiness, and performance, and we speak to customers, employees, and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience.”

“He concluded: ‘Our aim is to develop customer-centric companies, and to give honest independent feedback to businesses to help them maintain that level.”

CAPTION: All-Ireland Business All-Star Awards winners Brid Gould and David Briody with Kieren Ring of the Global Logistics Institute at the launch of the All-Ireland Business All-Star accreditation at Croke Park.