Investors in People Makes an Impact

One of the first studies into Investors in People [1] found that "almost four fifths (79%) of employers recognised as Investors in People believed that the initiative had improved the quality of their workforce. Around two thirds believed that their involvement had made a positive contribution to business performance."

A more recent study [2] suggested that the standard had played three roles in the change management process:

• A catalyst of change - 34%
  
• An enabler of change - 43%
  
• Offering external recognition of change - 23%

In these roles, it was suggested, the standard not only provided a framework for change but also provided a tool for carrying out a reality check on the resulting benefits which were reported as being:

• Increased bottom line in at least a third of the private, and to a lesser extent public sector firms
• Increased competitiveness in 7 in 10 organisations
  
• Increased productivity in 7 in 10 organisations
  
• Reduced turnover in 5 in 10 organisations
  
• Improved profits in 4 in 10 organisations
  
• Reduced recruitment costs in 4 in 10 organisations

[1] Evaluation of Investors in People, Institute of Employment Studies, based a study of 1726 organisations
[2] Building capability for the 21st century, Investors in People, based on a study of 2079 organisations