Industry News
July 2010
Forever Living Products UK win recognition for Investors in People, Gold Award
Bob Parker and all the staff at Forever Living Products UK are very proud and overjoyed to be awarded with the Investors in People Gold Award. The gold award is the highest accolade and they overachieved the evidence required to gain the award which only 150 companies in the UK have achieved. They are also the first within the Direct Selling Association to lead the way in achieving this prestigious award.
Bob Parker said, “It is over six years ago that we first started our journey with IIP. Our initial motivation to get this prestigious accreditation remains the same today. We have built the Forever brand for the last 32 years globally, and 16 years locally, by going the extra mile with our people. We recognise that we can only continue to be successful if we continue to foster an environment where people feel valued and supported. What better way to establish whether you are on the right track to do this, than to get an outside body like IIP to critic you.
“From day one of our accreditation we also believe that we have gained a commercial benefit by having the IIP brand connected with Forever.
“Just prior to our latest re-evaluation for IIP, we became aware that IIP now have provided an opportunity to raise our game even further. They have created a Bronze, Silver and Gold standard of the original IIP accreditation. We were immediately focused on being recognised at the highest level possible, and engaged with each staff member to achieve our goal. It was with delight that we were told that we had achieved the standard. I believe the first in our industry, but more importantly, a great motivator for everyone involved with Forever UK. I am inspired by the great team that I have around me in the UK office.
“At Forever, our main driving factor has been a project called Target 100, which is a clear strategy to achieve our goal of £100 million turnover. We are focused on achieving this by working with the staff internally and our Distributors and Leaders. Our drive and determination to achieve our goal is underpinned by our strapline ‘Everything we do supports our Distributors in achieving their goals and dreams.’ This strategy is the foundation that continues to drive the business forward and supported our IIP Gold Award.
“The report we received following the assessment was a truly outstanding read and the culture and values of Forever were clearly featured many times. It stated ‘People definitely feel valued by the organisation and talked about being proud of the company and ‘part of the Forever family’. There is a very supportive and flexible working environment at Forever, driven from not only the top of the UK operation but also, Rex Maughan, Chairman of the Board & CEO’.
“Social responsibility was assessed and it was reported, ‘Forever takes its social responsibility very seriously whether in terms of being environmentally friendly or the support offered to charities. There was extensive feedback from people at all levels within the company regarding efforts to be ‘greener’. Many people made reference to the fact that the company’s many aloe plants make Forever ‘carbon friendly’ and there was a clear sense of pride about the company’s efforts to be environmentally friendly.
“In relation to charitable causes, many commented on ‘Forever Giving’, the company’s international charitable foundation. It was also noted that in the UK, Forever Distributors selected Macmillan Cancer Support which has benefited from a range of fund raising activities, including a sports day on which the staff worked for free and donated their salaries to the organisation.
“The people management strategies were assessed and it was reported that ‘The organisation is exceptional at identifying potential and supporting people to make the most of their talents. Top managers said they are keen to promote from within, actively seek to encourage people to develop and have created opportunities for individuals who have shown potential. There are many examples of people progressing within Forever’.
“Through the Target 100 project people are encouraged to share ideas and information and challenge the status quo in respect of trying to find better ways of doing things. The projects are wide-ranging and include initiatives to improve the use of IT in the company, improve training for staff and associates and increase sales. There was no question that improving performance in all disciplines is seen as a shared responsibility by everyone. Everyone interviewed was extremely proud of the organisation, it’s achievements, culture, people and products and are committed to its future success. The UK organisation has developed many tools and philosophies which are now being rolled out around the world and we are proud of that.”
Bob went on to say, “Our IIP assessor stated ‘This was a particularly positive assessment with a huge amount of feedback to suggest that Forever is a good employer with highly effective people strategies. This is clearly driven by the company’s core values and the management style of Bob Parker who is viewed by everyone as a true role model’.
“This award is something that we are very proud of at Forever UK and we feel this just adds more credibility to our industry.” he concluded.
