"There is no substitute for practical experience! One of the most important ingredients an ISO 9000 consultant can bring is that they have actually been a part of an ISO 9000 registration (rather than merely talking about it). Experience will often allow clients to avoid costly mistakes and most certainly will reduce the learning curve-which will always prove to be a good investment" 
 
-Dr. Jack E. Small, in his book "ISO 9000 for Executives" Lanchester Press