Ask Charles McSherry how he doubled the turnover of his IT company, and he won't blind you with science. His answer is simple - invest in people.
''Many businesses are not interested in developing their biggest asset,'' said McSherry, managing director of Glasgow-based Prosys. ''In my business, training is often the first part of the budget to be trimmed. Business can only improve for companies who commit to training and develop themselves.''
Prosys, formed 10 years ago, is a specialist provider in high quality IT solutions. Using leading edge technology, the company's remit covers small business finance, medium-sized business manufacturing, costing and order processing and large company IT solutions.
Its customer base has grown to incorporate the UK and the US. Yet investing in leading edge technology was, McSherry knew, not the only business practice needed to keep Prosys competitive.
''We became involved with IIP because it looked right for us,'' he said. ''With 19 highly skilled and qualified staff, we had always been strong on people development. We wanted a more formal process though, and IIP fitted the bill.
''It was a relatively easy process - we read the manual, did the checklist and just got on with it. The GDA provided us with some help in formulating our initial appraisal process and were there when we needed guidance.
''The staff are happy that we have invested in them because it means they are valued. It's something I would encourage other companies to do - we've enjoyed lots of benefits since implementing it.''
The most obvious benefit is doubled company turnover - to #2m - since it received accreditation in 1995 The only major cost incurred by identifying gaps in business operations was a staff increase - of three.
''These additions were planned - it wasn't tenable to double in size with the same number of people,'' said McSherry. ''Since accreditation, we've changed our processes enormously. That is how it should be. There's no training programme that's an immediate 'fix-it-all' - nothing's ever easy if it's worthwhile.''
Prosys runs on a Project Management structure - each new contract is pre-planned and assigned a project manager. Its appraisal process is a learning contract between company and staff, where both parties agree learning and developmental objectives.
Business continues to prosper; UK brick manufacturer Ambion Brick has signed up for services which are worth #250,000 to the company. In addition, Prosys has won a contract worth #340,000 with the Forestry Commission. The path to prosperity for Prosys has been nothing more than common sense, says McSherry.
''I'm a hard-nosed businessman who is committed to this organisation - and it makes money,'' he said. ''It amazes me that there are still those in service businesses who can't see that.
''It takes commitment, a certain style of management and a willingness to constantly evaluate and review your relationship with your employees. We took the view that gaining IIP recognition was a new beginning, not an end in itself.''
Sally Grummitt
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