Groovy business ideas which are generated by governments come, and usually go but, observes DAVID HARBOURNE, director of the Learning and Skills Council, North Yorkshire, the Investors in People standard keeps on going...

WHEN Skills Minister Ivan Lewis visited Yorkshire a while back, employers took the chance to voice their frustration at the number of new initiatives that come along, year after year. No sooner have people got the hang of one initiative, they said, than it is replaced by another.

Against that background, it is good to talk about an initiative that really has stood the test of time. Investors in People has been with us for a number of years now, and the good news is that ministers, the CBI and the TUC have recently given it a fresh lease of life. In fact, the Learning and Skills Council and colleagues at Business Link York and North Yorkshire have been challenged to share the benefits of Investors in People with growing numbers of small and medium-sized employers.

So what is so special about Investors in People? Quite simply, it's a way of looking at business development that allows common sense to prevail, not bureaucracy. The starting point is to look at where you want the business to be in three, five or ten years' time. Next comes a look at the way people throughout the organisation contribute to success, now and in the future. This review is likely to point to some gaps. The next aim is to plan a way of plugging these gaps.

By its very nature, this is not something you do once and forget about. Investors in People is about taking stock from time to time:

- Have the business goals changed?

- Have you succeeded in plugging the gaps you spotted first time round?

- What more could you do to make sure everyone in the organisation contributes to your success, now and in the future?

A great benefit of Investors in People is that you can get a second opinion from skilled advisers. Investors' advisers have to prove to the governing body, IiP UK, that they know what they are talking about and that they can give practical support, using plain English, to busy people.

There are also opportunities to meet other people working towards Investors in People, for example by attending short, sharp workshops on key business topics. Sharing experiences and ideas with others can be a benefit in its own right. Then there is support through the Internet, via a service called Laurel Online. The current top priority is to work with employers of between five and 49 staff, though of course Investors in People is valid for larger - and smaller - organisations as well. Employers in our priority group qualify for support, advice, seminars and materials worth up to £1,250 each. Business Link has just started a series of introductory workshops called "People Make the Difference". This gives employers a chance to find out more before making a definite commitment to Investors in People. The workshops are free. Book a place by phoning Business Link on 01904 686000. It could be the best initiative you've ever taken!

Updated: 09:24 Tuesday, April 22, 2003