Micro-Firms Urged To Embrace Same "People" Standards as Large Employers

Micro-businesses in Wales who shun official "people development" standards as being suitable only for larger organisations, have been urged to think again.

The call came from Wales Management Council, which has just become one of the smallest employers in Wales to achieve the respected Investors in People (IiP) standard.

While it is led by a volunteer board, comprising some of nation's leading business figures and has a major remit to promote better management across the Welsh economy, the Council itself has a core staff of only three.

Chief executive, Christopher Ward, hailed Investors in People as a major stimulus which has helped to move the organisation forward tremendously.

"Many small firms fear that standards like IiP are full of red tape and only work for larger organisations. In our experience nothing could be further from the truth. We worked with an experienced advisor and assessor who were completely in tune with the small business ethos and wanted to recognise our intrinsic strengths, not force us to adopt inappropriate systems or practices.

"They helped us to streamline what we do and find new and constructive ways to work as a team, even though our staff are based in both north and south Wales. We are already feeling the benefits," he added.

Mr Ward said Wales Management Council has always argued that IiP is just as important for small firms as for large and, as a result, was very pleased to have achieved the coveted standard for itself.

The IiP programme, which is run in Wales by education and training body ELWa, is designed to help employers develop their staff in line with their business needs.

Just over 2,000 employers, covering a quarter of the Welsh workforce, have now achieved the prestigious standard. Among the tangible benefits businesses have reported are higher productivity, better staff retention, lower absenteeism, improved profitability and reduced costs.

Further information from Eoghan Mortell 02920 488 778 or 07977 555 116