New research by NOP for Investors In People UK has emphasised that successful companies focus on employee satisfaction.

The research, involving more than 1,400 managers and staff, showed that employers pay lip service to employee goodwill at their peril.

While 50 per cent of employers claimed employee satisfaction was important to them, the research showed otherwise.

Only six per cent of owner-managers considered employee satisfaction to be a major business objective.

Significantly, a massive 45 per cent of the UK's bosses put customer satisfaction as their most important business aim.

But staff dealing with those customers said when they were happy, they were more productive.

George Gilvear, director of employment skills at Sussex Enterprise, said: "Investing in staff is a significant predictor of company performance."

Sussex Enterprise chairman and local business leader John Peel said: "My own experience is being the managing director of Varian Medical Systems, an Investor in People since 1995.

"Our IIP-inspired culture, which recognises employees are the organisation, resulted in improved profitability."

Mark Necus, of English's Restaurant in Brighton, said: "Investors in People has been a major force behind the expansion of our business."