Investors in People UK, the organisation that works with companies to improve their productivity, has welcomed the CBI’s endorsement in its first ever education and skills survey[1].  The survey, conducted amongst board-level executives found that those questioned saw Investors in People as adding real value to firms, with nearly three quarters (71%) feeling the scheme had a positive impact on their business.

Over half of respondents saw the main benefit of the Investors in People Standard as improved staff morale (52%) whilst a third (30%) recognised improved performance and nearly a quarter (24%) saw efficiency improvements.

Interestingly, given the current economic climate, the CBI report highlighted that Investors in People provides a valuable framework for businesses undergoing significant and rapid changes.  It recognised that employers value Investors in People as an effective way of driving cultural changes through organisations, helping all employees contribute more effectively to a shared goal.

Richard Wainer, Head of Education and Skills at the CBI, said:

“The CBI/Edexcel education and skills survey highlights that businesses often find that working with Investors in People delivers bottom line benefits, particularly for small and medium-sized firms that need extra support in formalising their people management in line with their business goals.  Nearly three quarters of respondents felt the Standard had a positive impact on their business.  Investors in People also offers larger firms a valuable framework, as well as stretch and challenge.”

Simon Jones, Chief Executive at Investors in People UK, added:

“We’re delighted that the CBI’s survey recognises the business benefits working with the Investors in People Standard can deliver.  With businesses operating in an increasingly challenging climate, it’s vital that they are able to adapt quickly and effectively to shifting priorities. Having the right structures in place which allow this flexibility whilst also ensuring employees remain focused and motivated is crucial and can make the difference between business success and failure.  As the report highlights, Investors in People can help businesses of all sizes and sectors through such periods of change, providing a valuable framework which ensures employers can get more from their people in line with shifting business goals.”

The report also highlighted that many employers, whatever their size, found Investors in People Standard a valuable tool for business improvement, as it effectively links training and development with business strategy. It also identified that small and medium-sized firms are often most in need of support to formalise their HR practices and understand the business benefits of training for their firm – areas where Investors in People delivers most value.  Given this, the report recommends that SMEs should be the focus of government support for engaging employers in the Standard.

For more information please contact the Investors in People press office on 020 7544 3118.  A full copy of the CBI report is available at www.cbi.org.uk

Investors in People:

• The Investors in People Standard provides a practical framework for improving business performance and competitiveness through good practice in human resource development.
• An organisation that has achieved the Standard has been successful in adopting and maintaining its three fundamental principles: Plan - developing strategies to improve the performance of the organisation, from business goals to leadership strategies; Do - implementing those strategies, taking action to improve the performance of the organisation; Review - evaluating and adjusting those strategies, measuring their impact on the performance of the organisation.
• The Investors in People Standard and Profile are promoted and developed by Investors in People UK – an organisation whose main stakeholder is the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
• The Investors in People Standard is delivered by a partner network:

1. In England, the network of Investors in People Centres.
2. In Scotland, Scottish Enterprise (SE) or Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
3. In Wales, the Business Skills Delivery Team at the Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Welsh Assembly Government.
4. In Northern Ireland, the Department for Employment of Learning.