AGRR - March/April 2008 - AGRR Magazine

Mandate to Validatecontinued from page 32“If AGRSS-registered companies seethis as a ‘big brother,’ the program willbe doomed from the start.”Again, Ketcherside warns thisshould not be a concern.“It is crucial to us that there’s nosubjectivity,” she says. “We are absolutelyunbiased.”And, what about the “Big Brother”fears?“There are so many people whothink the AGRSS Council is trying totake people out of business—we’renot,” Ketcherside says. “We’re trying tokeep this industry in business.”Hittenberger sees no possible disadvantages.“Audits are only a problem if you’recheating,” he says.Clyde Stephens, owner of VisionsGlass in Perham, Minn., thinks thethinks third-party validation is a step inthe right direction—but notes he hopesthe audits are done anonymously.“I think it’s a good thing, but if theygive notice they’re going to show up,well, of course [the shop is] going tofollow the Standard,” he warns.The Next StepThe AGRSS Council and its registrantsview third-party validation asthe perfect next step for the Standard.“It’s important to note that theAGRSS Council realized from the beginning[that third-party validationwould be needed],” Tompkins says,“but to make this work we needed totake steps in getting to what we callthe pinnacle, apex or finale ofregistration.”He adds, “With all of the glass industryhaving had a total of six yearsto learn about the Standard and totest its compliance at each of theirstore locations, this industry shouldby all means to be ready to have athird-party come in and assess theircompliance.”Ketcherside adds that third-partyvalidation is designed as a benefit—not a penalty.“An audit is not trying to take peopleout of business,” she says. “It isprofessionalism and that’s what it’sall about. There will be rules, and weall need to know what the rules areand we need to follow them, and ifyou don’t follow them, there will beconsequences.”■◗Penny Stacey is the editor of AGRRmagazine.Leading the Service Industry with ourCOMMITMENT TOSAFETYBy offering our business owners andtheir technicians extensive safetytraining and on-going support.At Glass Doctor, we’re committedto building successful glassbusinesses with excellent training,support, national brand recognition,and the most comprehensivebusiness systems around.Are you ready to start your ownglass business or take your existingbusiness to the next level?Call toll-free:800-280-9858E-mail:glassdoctorfranchise@dwyergroup.comOr visit us online:www.glassdoctorfranchise.com34 AGRR March/April 2008 www.agrrmag.com