The International School of Quality is a series of annual international conferences organized by Umbrella since 1999. The sessions are devoted to recent concepts of management and organizational improvement. The 1st session was primarily focused on the Japanese TQM, however starting with the 2nd session the main theme was the Excellence Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) – used by the business sector and the CAF Model designed for public administration. During the sessions of the International School of Quality are also discussed such issues as management quality systems, environmental management systems, integrated systems and IT systems supporting management.

Since 2002 there are separate sessions for the public and for the business sectors, so that different needs and expectations of these sectors could be met. The basic topics discussed during the annual sessions of the International School of Quality are as follows:

• Different quality management systems

• The use of the EFQM Excellence Model to improve management,

• Best solutions and practices of Polish and European organizations,

• Methods and implementation techniques of the EFQM Excellence Model, including self-assessment,

• Advantages of implementing the EFQM Model using the example of domestic and foreign companies,

• The process of applying for the EFQM awards and recognitions,

• Finalists of the EFQM Excellence Award and recognized organizations

• Process management and IT systems supporting management

The goal of the International School of Quality is to make the participants familiar with modern European approach toward quality, including different models and techniques of management, so that on the base of the acquired knowledge they could develop and implement a management system which is best adjusted to their organization. During each session practical solutions of domestic and foreign organizations are presented and discussed by experts from Great Britain, France, Belgium, Holland and Poland. The participants have the opportunity to meet and talk to those who succeeded and gained experience in effective management of various organizations. During informal meetings with persons dealing with management improvement in their organizations, the participants can exchange experiences and to make business connections.
Through annual sessions of the International School of Quality the Polish managers get acquainted with new possibilities of management improvement and they also learn that implementing new solutions is not only possible but necessary if they want to strengthen their position on the European market.

Every year, speeches and presentations are given by representatives of the EFQM, Finalists and Winners of the European Quality Award which is proof of the significance of the conference. We were honored by the presence of the President of the EFQM, the Chief Executive Officer of the EFQM, the CEO of the American Society for Quality as well as management members of such companies as: Xerox, Volvo Cars, Nokia Mobile Phones, Siemens Tele Industry, DHL, Philips, EDF France. Honorary Patronage of each session was taken by such prominent figures as Prof. Leszek Balcerowicz, Prof. Danuta Hübner, UN ambassador in Poland Marc Destanne de Bernie etc.

Executive management including CEOs, executive managers, board members usually make up 60% of all participants at each session of the International School of Quality. Evaluation sheet delivers information about high level of participants’ satisfaction with presentations, workshops, acquired knowledge and new business contacts.

Domestic organizations face the necessity of adapting their existing management systems to European standards. The European experience shows that it is the EFQM Model that helps thousands of Europe based organizations to enhance the effectiveness of the management system, improve key performance results and to strengthen the competitive position.