GKR Building and Maintenance Co Ltd (GKR) started 2010 on a positive note by being accredited with the Investors in People Award (IiP). The Caerphilly-based maintenance Service Provider has proved its dedication to achieving the UK-leading People Management Standard, by undertaking a Business Improvement Change Leaders Programme – a scheme piloted by Construction Skills Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Some of GKR’s high profile clients include Wales and West Housing Association, Monmouth and Torfaen Councils, Boots, Pizza Hut, Mothercare and Arcadia Group. The company was encouraged by Construction Skills Wales to complete the 12-session, year-long programme in September 2008 in order to not only improve the company and its work ethos, but to also heighten the chances of being recognised by IiP. The company benefited from a programme delivered by two experienced HRD Business Advisers from within the Wales Investors in People network and undertook training in Business Planning, Leadership and Management, Evaluation and Continuous Improvement, Learning Development and Managing Performance.
The IiP Standard is one of the most recognised and respected marks of good practice in the UK and is increasingly gaining credibility internationally. The aim of IiP is to improve business performance through the people working in the organisation. Organisations experience real value in the process of continuous improvement as the Framework encourages them to look more closely at where they are currently, where they are going, and what they need to do to get there.
Chris Dennis, Director, GKR Maintenance, says: “The benefits to our company as a result of Investors in People are endless. I owe great thanks to Kevin Harris of Construction Skills Wales, who at a very busy time for us, encouraged us to commit to the programme. Initially, I was concerned that it would be a huge paper gathering exercise. However, it soon became apparent that this was not the case. The IiP ethos is about managing processes more effectively with regards to your people rather than creating lots of meaningless bits of paper”.
Chris believes that the development that GKR has experienced has helped form a foundation and provided focus and encouragement to implement improvements that have been discussed at Board level over the past few years but never realised
He concludes; “We have learned so much - which lends a hand to a smoother-running company. During the Business Improvement programme we shared ideas and feedback with other local companies who were completing the course – we have all felt the pressure of the credit crunch, so it’s about supporting each other. Our staff now benefits from regular, structured, appraisals and quarterly internal newsletters – so all levels are kept in the picture not just the Board. This process has been recognised as an integral tool by all member of management and I would recommend IiP to any SME company.”
Brian Buckland, HRD Advisor with the Welsh Assembly Government, says; “In my experience GKR is a quality organisation which provides an excellent service to all of its clients. GKR has demonstrated a high commitment to business development and the personal development of all of its managers and staff and it has used the IiP process well to continue to improve and develop the business. I am sure the foundation it has laid will secure their future growth”.