FAQs

How long does it take to become an Investor in Excellence? 

The typical timescale from commitment to assessment is around 14 months. Mature organisations may progress more quickly to the assessment stage, in six months or less, while those at the very beginning of their excellence journeys may take a little longer.

What is Investors in Excellence On-line?

IiE On-line is a highly practical web hosted tool that takes the grind out of self-assessment. The tool enables you to: store all of your performance information in one secure place, access 24/7 from any internet connected computer anywhere in the world, create, share, and review information with ease and when ready for external assessment, just push a button and your submission document is created.

What support is available? 

Investors in Excellence offers a wide variety of solutions focussed support to help you every step of the way. This can range from short training workshops to comprehensive improvement programmes. The On-line tool is also packed with help and examples.

What will I learn?

The journey will explore the strengths of your organisation and the opportunities to improve together with acceess to a host of good practice.

Does the whole organisation have to be IiE?

No. Teams or departments can apply for the Investors in Excellence Standard. The challenges the standard poses are as relevant to a team as they are to the whole organisation.

What is an operational unit?

An operational unit is a sub division of an organisation which has its own policies, procedures and business strategy.

How does the Investors in Excellence Standard work?

The standard consists of nine Principles of Excellence which are broken down into thirty one indicators. Questions are posed by the Standard and that then enables you do describe and provide evidence that demonstrates your performance against each of the indicators.

How long does this accreditation last?

Once your organisation has been awarded the Standard it is valid for a two year period. At the end of this time you will be given the opportunity for reaccreditation and to continue to be recognised as an Investor in Excellence.

Does the size of the organisation make a difference to the assessment process?

No. All organisations regardless of their size undergo the same assessment process and will have to provide the same amount of evidence for each indicator. The only variation to the assessment process would be for extremely large organisations with multiple sites, which may require more than one site visit.

What locations do you cover?

We are able to provide IiE assessments anywhere in the world..

What kinds of organisation become Investors in Excellence?

Lots. We have organisations of all shapes, sizes and sectors involved in the IiE Standard. For more details on which specific organisations have already been recognised, please see our Hall of Fame

Can I advertise that I am working towards the Investors in Excellence Standard?

Yes. Every participating organisation or unit receives a signed commitment certificate which they are encouraged to display. They also receive a special ‘committed to Investors in Excellence logo’ which can be used on stationery and any publicity material.

Is Investors in Excellence linked to regional, UK and European awards for excellence?

Yes. The evidence that you build as your organisation progresses to achieve the IiE Standard would form the basis of any future submission for a regional, UK or European award for excellence. These include the Midlands Excellence Awards, the North and South of England Excellence Awards, the UK Excellence Awards and the European Excellence Awards

How much will it cost?

The price depends on the size of your organisation and the level of support you require. The only mandatory elements are the commitment and assessment fees which, on average, total around £2,500+VAT.

How will I know if I have achieved the Investors in Excellence Standard?

Each assessment produces a feedback report against each of the thirty one indicators. The feedback report will detail which indicators you have met and also highlight the areas where the need to improve exists and indicators were not met.

What happens if I do not meet the Standard?

The feedback report will detail the opportunities to improve that exist and a range of support is available to enable you to meet the Standard in the future.

Still got more questions? Contact us to get all the answers