Academics and careers experts join forces in new productivity and career development trial with professional services firms.
The Career Innovation Company and the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) have successfully won a bid for UK Government Innovation ‘Business Basics’ funding. Together, we are investigating productivity in SME professional services firms through the impact of a career development intervention.
How can SMEs increase productivity? Research and experience indicate that innovation and productivity improve when employees:
- Use their skills in the right role
- Adapt and grow to meet future demands
- Adopt new technology, and
- Are engaged in their work.
Managers have historically been responsible for making this happen, yet are often time poor and under-equipped.
The Career Innovation Company have developed an online solution that motivates employees to drive their own career and professional development, and gives managers the skills to guide employees through career-enhancing conversations, with the aim of developing every employee to fulfil their potential in their job. The intervention includes a 10 week online programme – Be Bold in your Career – and webinars for SME managers and leaders. 12 UK firms across the legal, finance and IT sectors are taking part (199 employees and 92 managers). The proof of concept trial is being evaluated by the Institute for Employment Studies.
“Career Development and Guidance was named as one of the biggest productivity impact measures in Cebr and Natwest research (July 2018)”
Jonathan Winter, Founder of The Career Innovation Company:
“We’re delighted that our bid has been successful. It gives us the chance to work with smaller organisations than our usual clients who are large well-known employers, and to test and learn much more about the way in which career and professional development conversations can tangibly benefit whole firms.”
Dan Lucy, Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies:
“We are delighted to be working with Career Innovation to support SMEs through enabling employers and managers to have better, more fulfilling and effective career conversations, boosting performance and productivity.
Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst said:
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and as part of our modern Industrial Strategy, we are supporting them with new investments to boost their productivity and ensure they can continue to thrive in the future.
Today’s investment will support innovative projects that test how government and private sector companies can help small businesses adopt a range of technologies and management practices that save them time and make them more efficient.”
Notes for Editors
The Career Innovation Company is a consulting, research and technology organisation. It exists to help people and organisations make the most of their talents, strengthen their sense of purpose, and prepare for the future of work.
Our vision is for workers everywhere to feel confident, supported & encouraged in their career. We know that good work is an essential human need, crucial for our economic and psychological wellbeing, and we work in partnership with organisations who share our mission to provide career development that supports this.
The Institute for Employment Studies is a leading international centre for evidence-based research and consultancy in HR and employment policy.
Be Bold in your Career is a pioneering online career development course, developed from 20 years’ experience working with some of the world’s best-known organisations. It is designed to unlock an individual’s career potential in just 2 hours a week using evidence-based career theories and online coaching via video, interactive tools and webinars.
