Why did you enter The Investors in People Awards 2020?   

As the saying goes ‘Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch’ and at Composite Profiles we wholeheartedly believe this. We are so proud of our Culture, partly because we have worked tirelessly to achieve (and maintain) it, but also because we operate in an industry that is traditionally known for being hard-nosed.  

Having achieved Platinum level Investors in People, we know we are good. We operate at the pinnacle of the business pyramid when it comes to looking after our people. But The Investors in People Awards give us the opportunity to understand how we fare at the top against the elite.  

Having Investors in People accreditation gets into your psychology. When we were Silver, we wanted to be Gold, and when we were Gold, we just could not help but strive for the top level, Platinum. We do not underestimate our achievement in reaching Platinum but, there is just something in our psychology that wants to know if we can be the absolute best-of-the-best – the award would make us truly outstanding.  

The same psychology and desire to be outstanding is reflected in our work too – we want to be the absolute best in the business. Many would say we are, certainly from a delivery and service perspective, but to be recognised formally by Investors in People would be the cherry on the icing.   

You’ve been announced as a Finalist – what does that mean to you and your people? 

As management we get to see the big picture, we see the management reports, read the 360 reviews, and get to benchmark ourselves against other businesses. We have lots of markers that tell us we are doing a good job and looking after our people.   

However, we do not get to hear the private chats at the coffee machine or what’s being said on the lunchtime walk. We have to trust that as long as we are actively engaging with the team and listening to official feedback, we can implement systems and processes that help the team feel appreciated.  

Being announced as a Finalist is a simple message to the team that they work for an outstanding company, one that really looks after them. I hope it reinforces the company’s appreciation of them and ultimately their appreciation of the company. I hope it makes them feel proud. I am sure they are appreciative, but it is good for an external entity to reinforce it.   

What would you say is the standout point in your entry? 

It’s our unique and authentic leadership style that is embedded down through the tiers. Every team leader is expected to be a mentor to their team members. And individuals are encouraged and supported to develop Growth Mindsets. The culture instilled from the top is, invest time in individuals and individuals give back, which brings business success. This mix creates a cultural identity that is uniquely Composite Profiles.  

What would it mean to win? 

It is akin to your mum telling you you’ve done well at school. It can get lonely at the spearhead of a business. You don’t often hear ‘thank you’ or ‘well done’ or ‘you’re doing a great job keep going’, so winning in The Investors in People Awards 2020 is almost like a personal pat on the back that we’re doing a good job and public recognition that we can share with the world – so it’s great for business too.