Waterstons achieve Gold with full marks
Waterstons Ltd has become the first IT Consultancy
in the North East to achieve the highest achievable award from
Investors in People. The consultancy has achieved Gold on its first
attempt and is now one of only 35 companies in the North East to
achieve the top standard.
The results of the assessment saw Waterstons score 155 out of a
possible 155 key requirements, making the consultancy the only
private sector company in the North East to achieve full marks. A
cross section of employees were interviewed to collate evidence of
the company's people management practices. Various areas of the
business were assessed, including leadership, learning and
development, performance measurement, and recognition and
reward.
Waterstons was commended for its approach to social
responsibility, in particular for its commitment to recruiting and
developing graduates from the North East universities, reducing
what is often referred to as the "brain drain" of talent leaving
the region to work in London after graduation. Waterstons employed
three new recruits this summer, all recently graduated from the
local universities as well as two placement students, and this
month began the search for next year's intake, again focusing on
the North East universities.
Amy Campbell, HR Manager at Waterstons Ltd said: "Graduate
recruitment is a key part of Waterstons' growth strategy. We focus
on developing rather than assessing candidates during our graduate
recruitment process; candidates receive feedback throughout our
recruitment day and are given a pack of information with additional
feedback and information designed to help with their
development.
Campbell continues: "The Gold Investors in People standard will
demonstrate to potential candidates that we have been recognised by
an external body for our unique people development policies."
The Investors in People report also applauded Waterstons'
approach to customer service, for which the company has received
three awards in recent months.
Ian Mordue, Assessor at Investors in People said: "Waterstons is
an organisation with a real focus on excellent customer service,
which is fully supported by the views and attitudes of everyone who
works there. All processes and policies within the company are
built on the premise that fully involved, well trained, valued and
supported staff will want to deliver the high standards of
operation necessary to support the levels of customer service
expected by the senior people within the company.
Mordue concluded "When people say, within an interview, that
they love coming to work, and quite obviously mean it, then that
organisation is delivering the sort of environment that marks it
out as a special Investor in People. Waterstons thoroughly deserve
their Gold level rating and should be proud to see it
displayed."