Investors in People (IiP)

What is Investors in People?

Investors in People is a business improvement framework proven by research to enhance business performance through the effective management and development of employees. From large corporations to small businesses, the Investors in People approach can help any organisation meet its individual business objectives and provide a plan for future development.

Investors in People was developed in response to the recession of the 1990s and helped organisations thrive in the period that followed. It is the proven business tool which provides real results when you need them.

What does it involve?

The approach to the way Investors in People delivers its Standard is around the specific needs of individual customers. Investors in People have extended the Investors in People framework to provide stretch and challenge which allows organisations to achieve greater recognition.

To deliver more tailored support, the assessors and advisers will work with organisations during the assessment to understand the business goals that are specifically important to the organisation, and what that organisation is seeking to achieve from working with Investors in People. Investors in People Scotland will then help the organisation use the most relevant areas of the framework, and will tailor the assessment process and the feedback around the issues that really matter.

As well as maintaining The Standard, Investors in People have introduced additional Bronze, Silver and Gold recognition, to acknowledge the achievement of those organisations that wish to work beyond The Standard. They have also launched a long-service award to recognise the commitment of our longest standing customers.

The Benefits

• Focused on needs The key benefit is the additional flexibility organisations can have working with Investors in People, meaning that they can focus on the areas that matter most. This additional flexibility also means that Investors in People Scotland can adapt their support as and when needs change. “The review was an excellent one… it helped us review something meaningful to us… This is an example of how Investors in People can be focused on and be complementary to business needs (rather than forms and tickboxes), in the spirit for which it was intended and developed from the get-go” Richard Banks, Broadway Homelessness & Support
• Relevant to a wide range of issues A range of business issues can be addressed with this new approach, from maximising profitability to increasing customer satisfaction or workforce productivity. To see how Investors in People’s top twelve business issues link to the Investors in People framework, visit Investors in People’s free Business Issue Scoping Tool at www.investorsinpeople.co.uk/scopingtool
• Stretch and continuous improvement The approach is designed to draw out potential areas for future development work, aimed at helping an organisation achieve your long-term ambitions. “For smaller businesses such as ours the stretch provided by new choices in Leadership & Management both aligned with and supported our overall policy of external accreditation in key business areas” Sherod Williams, Managing Director, Walker Thomson Accountants and Registered Auditors.

Free Business Improvement Tools

Investors in People have introduced a number of free tools to help organisations.

Investors in People Interactive

IIP Interactive is a free online support tool based on key management practices drawn from the Investors in People framework. By using the tool you can get clear understanding of your organisation's current strengths and development areas. You can also review and update your progress in the tool at any time and access a wide range of downloads, good practice guides and templates to help and inspire you.

Business Issue Scoping Tool

Organisations can now use a new free tool designed to help identify the most relevant parts of the Investors in People framework based on your business priorities.

Using the Business Issue Scoping Tool you can select from a range of business issues most relevant to your organisation and generate a downloadable report indicating how Investors in People can help you to address key needs. You also have the opportunity to request a meeting to talk through the options available to you with Investors in People Scotland.

How much does it cost?

There is no set cost, because the process is entirely shaped around each customer’s individual needs. The Investors in People assessor will provide an assessment once they have discussed the organisation’s aims and priorities, and this will depend on the amount of support and guidance required. In the majority of cases the cost of Investors in People will include the following; the planning of the assessment, on-site interviews and initial feedback, issuing of an assessment report, post-report meeting to discuss further development and annual contact.

Where can I find out more?

We want you to get in touch with us. Let us know if we're meeting expectations, how we can improve to better suit your requirements. Investors in People Scotland is a listening organisation and we're committed to helping you achieve business excellence through your people.

Please contact:

Jim Oag
Director of Client Services
(Highlands & Islands)
T: 01667 451798
E: jim.oag@iipscotland.co.uk