If you are battling the idea in your organisation that Investors in People (IIP) is just a badge, this advice from Robin Cox should help everyone realise its true potential.
Recruit your new managers to form an IIP Task Force. Get backing and sponsorship for this by canvassing the support of your CEO and senior managers, by asking them: a) to nominate members of the Task Force; b) to mentor them during the Task Force phase until IIP reassessment is achieved.
The fact that the new managers are leading this effort will lend a cutting edge to the enterprise.
This will achieve buy-in from the top, plus practical help. You, as the learning professional, will help them to do the business. Schedule regular review and support meeting with the mentoring pairs.
As well as that, you will chair the Task Force meetings, so as to be able to use your skills to carry out team development on the back of their Task Force planning sessions. So the Task Force members benefit in three ways: they develop team skills, they get mentoring from senior management, and they get to know about IIP and develop a positive feeling for it - as do their sponsors and mentors.
Keep techniques simple: I have successfully used a matrix chart to record (for each IIP dimension):
a) where we are;
b) where we want to be;
c) what we need to do to get there.
Plus a time line, to plan out when we are going to take the action. Post this on your Task Force board (see below).
Make your Task Force's work visible. Set up a special notice board in a prominent place, and enable everyone to post suggestions. You post news on progress, to keep everyone informed.
Use your local IIP advisor, they are an invaluable source of help. Make sure that they get a special invitation to your re-recognition celebrations.
Enter the IIP competitions, to give your workplace a challenge to aim at, and publicise the fact on your Task Force board.
Believe me, it works. I was privileged to be in your position when my workplace were short-listed for the Key Champions' Award, having gained IIP recognition the year before.
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