Agency Stein IAS has been awarded Investors in People accreditation for the 10th year running.
The commendation, which has now been received by every office across the globe, makes it one of a few B2B marketing practices to have done so.
The Investors in People Standard is internationally recognised and reflects the latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to outperform in any industry.
The accreditation was originally received by Stein IAS in 2009, but it wasn’t until 2015 that the award was extended to offices in Manchester, London, Paris and Shanghai. This year New York and San Francisco have also been included in the award, completing the set.
To join the 10,000 organisations around the world that currently hold the Investors in People status, Stein IAS would have gone through a rigorous assessment process that includes desktop review, interviews, meetings and observations of the agency’s global footprint.
Reuben Webb, chief creative and values officer at Stein IAS, said: “Taking the initiative in post-modern B2B marketing means being able to exploit the latest developments in marketing techniques and technology. Change is constant so we need to be constantly ready to think fast and creatively to take the initiative before the competition. Therefore every person at Stein IAS needs to be constantly growing and developing.”
The ‘everybody-always’ training approach
The past 12 months has seen Stein partner with technology development company CultivateMe to create a new employee-focused software called Iris. The software tracks competencies and directs staff to what skills they should aim to acquire next. This has led to employees having a monthly meeting with their line manager to discuss and support their progression in the company.
“The traditional approach where skills gaps are identified and specific training is delivered to address these, is of limited use,” said Webb. “Learning requirements change quickly and vary between individuals. Therefore, our training and development strategy is to nurture a culture of constant learning and embed a formalised ‘everybody–always’ training approach in our everyday work.”
The company says it’s now working towards becoming a deliberately developmental organisation.