Frequently Asked Questions

How will the Investors in People Standard benefit my business?

The bottom-line benefits of working with the Standard will vary from one organisation to another. However, the development of your people and recognition of their achievements leads to improved motivation and in turn, higher morale, improved staff retention, reduced absenteeism and a readier acceptance of change. Skilled and knowledgeable people work better and harder improving productivity. They are far more likely to evaluate work practices, identifying ways of doing better business, reducing costs and wastage. And, with a customer focus, skilled and knowledgeable people will endeavour to ensure customer satisfaction, providing that all important advantage over competitors.

What will it cost to achieve recognition as an Investor in People?

Little or nothing, depending on your approach! In fact the main cost is in staff time. The NI IiP Centre can provide a range of support options to guide you through the entire process.

How long will it take to achieve recognition?

Normally between 12 and 18 months, but again this will depend on to what extent existing practices meet the requirements of the Standard, the nature of the improvements required and how quickly you can implement them. Typically, an organisation with good induction, review and development processes in place could significantly reduce this timeframe.

How can we do it?

In short, you choose! The Standard is written in plain English, follows a logical format and clearly identifies opportunities for business improvement. This means you can do-it-yourself with free support from the NI IiP Centre, or, if you have a business improvement budget, avail of the services of a registered IiP Adviser experienced in business improvement and human resource development. Alternatively, your organisation could join others working with the Standard in a group, mentored by a registered IiP Adviser but at a rate significantly reduced through subsidies offered by the Department for Employment & Learning’s IiP Centre in conjunction with local councils (where applicable).

What do I do now?

Simply call the NI Investors in People Centre on 028 9044 1792 or email us at iip.qc@delni.gov.uk . Either way we want to help you improve your business.