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The owner of Los Argentinos,
Mr Safa Faltas
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The latest version of the ISO 9001:2000 quality
management system, released in 2003, allows the ISO standard to
be applied to all areas of the service sector. While its application
in the restaurant business still has a long way to go, one far-sighted
restaurateur in Belgium has recognized not only the opportunity
to enlarge his market share in a competitive environment, but also
to expand that market regionally.
Mr. Safa Faltas of "Los Argentinos", the first
restaurant , not only in Belgium, but the whole of Europe to achieve
ISO9001, has proved that the restaurant business can definitely
benefit from the implementation of this internationally recognized
quality management system. In December 1998 he started Los Argentinos,
an Argentinean themed restaurant, which he manages personally.
From the outset, attention to quality has been
the main factor in the company's policy. With a background of practical
experience, and a passion for exceptional service, the only thing
missing was an internationally recognized standard.
In 2004 he started looking at implementing an
ISO quality management system. Following an intense period of implementation,
with the support and professional guidance of the IMSM consultants,
the Los Argentinos achieved the ISO 9001 quality standard. Mr. Faltas
cherishes this certificate, which demonstrates the way the restaurant
thinks about its customers, providing valued, structured services.
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left to right, mayor Alex Vangronsveld,
Flemish Minister Marino Keulen, Mr Michael Bright, Mr Safa
Faltas and his staff.
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"For Los Argentinos, the customer is the central
point, and now quality isn't a lucky shot any more, it is a structural
advantage for our customers". Mr. Faltas continues, "This needs
to be a visible policy - as an entrepreneur you try to create something
extra for your customers, but if it isn't visible, people can't
judge it and they certainly can't appreciate it. The ISO certificate
draws attention to the quality systems in place, and helps build
a trust relationship. We now organize a couple of special events
and the implementation of the ISO system turns out to be a successful
formula there, too. The creative handling of these events has led
to Salsa nights and the "Jumping Weekend". Before every event a
plan is identified and the formula implemented. Los Argentinos is
now famous for these events and attracts an even more varied public,
who come along to appreciate the restaurant and enjoy new experiences."
http://www.losargentinos.be
16/10/06
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