Accreditation For Competitive Advantage In A Crowded Marketplace

Remember the famous “shoplifting” scene in Home Alone where 8-year old Kevin McAllister ends up accidentally stealing a toothbrush when he encounters Old Man Marley? The most memorable part for me is when Kevin actually thinks to ask the store clerk “Is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association?” I still don’t check if my toothbrush has a seal of approval but the value of certification or accreditation of some sort for all the products and services we buy—and institutions we do business with—is gaining increasing importance in a world of growing competition and choices . . .