Investors in people: progress in the PHLS.

In 1990 the government launched an initiative called Investors in People (IIP). The intention was clear: to improve operational performance in the workplace through effective business-focused training and development of employees. The market for the national standard that was created was also clear: every organisation throughout the UK, irrespective of size or sector. Implementation of IIP by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) is outlined, and four views of the process from across the Service are presented.