Investors in People UK was formed in 1993 to take national ownership of the Standard, protect its integrity and ensure its successful promotion and development.

		What is Investors in People
	The Investors in People Standard is a business improvement tool designed to advance an organization's performance through its people. Developed in 1990 by a partnership of leading businesses and national organizations, the Investors in People Standard helps organizations to improve performance and realize objectives through the management and development of their people. Since it was developed the Standard has been reviewed every three years to ensure that it remains relevant, accessible and attractive to all. The most recent review was completed in November 2004.

Initially the Standard was administered through a section in the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). As demand for, and interest in, the Standard grew the section became Investors in People UK. Although the company is by definition UK based and orientated in its operations, interest from overseas has given the Investors in People Standard an international dimension, both in terms of protection and development.

The Investors in People Standard is a straightforward, proven framework for delivering business improvement through people and our website ( http://www.investorsinpeople.co.uk/IIP/Web/default.htm ) can provide you with all the information you need to get involved, keep up to date and put the Standard into practice

Everyone agrees that people are an organization's greatest asset, and we all know that for an organization to succeed everyone has to perform well. It doesn't matter what size or type of organization you are, the Investors in People Standard is there to help you improve the way you work.

The HRD Group Ltd was accredited by Investors in People in March 2000 and our Investors in People status was renewed in 2003.

A proven framework for Business Improvement

Investors in People provides a flexible framework, which any organization can adapt for its own requirements. It mirrors the business planning cycle (plan, do, review) making it clear for organizations to follow and implement in their own planning cycle.

The Investors in People Framework involves:

• Plan -
  developing strategies to improve the performance of the organization
• Do -
  taking action to improve the performance of the organization
• Review -
  evaluating the impact on the performance of the organization.

Customized roles and competencies with 360 and/or self analysis or assessor feedback establishes training need and involvement of line, personnel and/or 3rd party coaches ensure that the HRD Online system's Personal Development Plans reconcile individual development with organizational development needs.

The DO phase blends learning from our resource library of over 300 Business, Management and Personal Skills courses, with work based assignments designed to develop skill and realize tangible organizational benefits.

Throughout internal or external line managers and/or coaches of users provide critiqued WBA feedback and active participation in review of training results and user generated Continuous Professional Development records design to record individual and organizational benefits and any consequential action required. Future action is supplemented by the provision of goals with time based action plans for their achievement.

Benefits of Investors in People

Over the past 12 years independent research has consistently shown that the Investors in People Standard provides real business benefits to organizations of all sizes and across all sectors.

There are currently over 37,000 recognized organizations in the UK employing over 27% of the UK workforce. Every one of those organizations is benefiting from the Investors in People Standard in one way or another and with a 90% retention rate, we must be doing something right!

		Additional Benefits
	Other benefits organizations can gain from the Investors in People Standard are: The opportunity to review current policies and practices against a recognized benchmark A frame work for planning future strategy and action A structured way to improve the effectiveness of training and development activities With its Investors in People underpinning capabilities, and its Institutional recognition (see managementqualifications.co.uk) & its University connections - the HRD Online training system integrated with HRM occupies a unique position within the UK 's training establishment.

The practical benefits of working towards and achieving the Investors in People Standard are many and include:

• Improved earnings, productivity and profitability - Skilled and motivated people work harder and better improving productivity
• Customer Satisfaction - Investors in People is central to helping employees become customer focused enabling organizations to effectively meet customer needs
• Improved motivation - Through employee's greater involvement, personal development and recognition of achievement, motivation is improved. This leads to higher morale, improved retention rates, reduced absenteeism, readier acceptance of change and identification with the organizations goals beyond the confines of the job
• Reduced costs and wastage - Skilled and motivated people constantly examine their work to contribute towards reducing costs and wastage
• Enhanced quality - Investors in People significantly improves the results of quality programmes. Investors in People adds considerable value to The Excellence Model, ISO 9000, BS 5750 and other total quality initiatives
• Competitive advantage through improved performance - Investors in People organizations develop a competitive edge
• Public recognition - Investors in People status brings public recognition for real achievements measured against a rigorous National Standard. An Investors in People organization helps to attract the best quality job applicants. It may also provide a reason for customers to choose specific goods and services.