SOME of you will have seen the article in last week's Echo encouraging businesses to take government money to help them obtain Investors in People.

I used to be a sceptic about Investors in People. This wasn't because I didn't believe in the principles underlying IIP but because I didn't think we needed the badge.

About two years ago I persuaded my head of personnel that we should seek IIP accreditation. I can say unreservedly that this was good for our business. We now have Investors in People and we are very proud of it.

What changed my mind about Investors in People was the structure it gave us to work to. We were committed to developing our staff and to improving our working environment. On the other hand, we were also committed to a number of other projects. Investors in People gave us the discipline to do the things we wanted to do in a sensible timescale.

If your people are important to your business, then I strongly recommend Investors in People. If you can do it with the help of government money, then all the better!