Our Origins

The Story of i4cp

At i4cp, we’ve always believed that people are the true drivers of business success. Long before strategic human capital became fashionable, our founders were asking the big questions: How do organizations measure the value of their people? How do leaders anticipate the workforce of tomorrow?

What began in the 1960s as the Human Resource Institute, our company has grown into the world’s leading authority on the people practices that fuel high performance. Over the decades, our research has shaped how organizations think about workforce planning, human capital metrics, and the “next practices” that separate market leaders from the rest.

Today, i4cp is more than a research institute. We are a community of forward-thinking executives, a trusted source of evidence-based insight, and a partner to many of the world’s most innovative organizations. Our story is one of agility, resilience, and growth—but our mission remains the same: to help companies unlock the full potential of their people.

Academic Roots

The Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) traces its roots back to the mid-1960s, when a group of pioneering scholars at the University of Michigan founded the Human Resource Institute (HRI):

Rensis Likert, Ph.D.

He is the creator of the Likert Scale, still a survey standard today.

George Odiorne, Ph.D.

A prolific author and leading voice for Management by Objectives (MBO).

William Pyle, Ph.D.

One of the first to study human capital metrics and the measurable value of people in organizations.

HRI’s mission was clear: help companies understand and leverage the “people side” of business success. Early research focused on workforce planning, talent integration during mergers, and developing models that laid the foundation for what we now call talent management.

Building Momentum

Throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, HRI earned a reputation as a trusted source of insight for organizations like GE, IBM, AT&T, Intel, and Ford. Key milestones included:

1971

The first annual conference, hosted by General Motors, launched a tradition that continues today.

1973

HRI testified before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee on Human Resource Accounting.

1980s–1990s

Expansion into workforce metrics, environmental scanning, and early online research libraries.

2000

The launch of TrendWatcher, a weekly insights newsletter that became a member favorite.

HRI’s work anticipated many of the trends that now define the modern HR profession.

A New Era Begins

In 2006, Jay Jamrog, then Executive Director of HRI, was introduced to Kevin Oakes, a longtime entrepreneur in the human capital industry and former CEO of a leading public SaaS company. Sharing a vision for elevating research into a broader community of practice, the two partnered to relaunch HRI as a for-profit venture that combined deep research expertise with a peer-driven network of leading companies.

The result was the birth of i4cp.

In May 2007, backed by a $6 million Series A financing led by IDG Ventures (now Flybridge Capital) and Trinity Ventures, the Institute for Corporate Productivity officially launched. Kevin became CEO, with Jay leading research.

Scaling i4cp

Over the next 18 years, i4cp grew rapidly:

Revenues expanded 25–30x.
The company earned a place on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies eight times.
i4cp became widely recognized as the leading authority on “next practices” in human capital—forward-looking strategies that drive business performance.

Through consistent growth and a strong peer community, i4cp established itself as a trusted partner to many of the world’s most innovative and influential organizations.

The Next Chapter

In April 2025, after years of profitable growth, i4cp sold a majority stake to M|C Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm. As part of the transition, Terry Waters was named CEO, positioning i4cp for its next stage of global expansion and innovation—while continuing the legacy of research-driven insight and community that began more than five decades ago.

Today, i4cp stands as the world’s leading authority on the people practices that drive high performance—built on a foundation of academic rigor, entrepreneurial vision, and a commitment to helping organizations thrive.

i4cp Timeline

Over 50 Years of Innovation

1960s

1967

Human Resource Institute (HRI) founded at the University of Michigan by Rensis Likert, George Odiorne, and William Pyle.

Early research in workforce planning and human capital metrics begins.

1970s

1971

First annual conference, hosted by General Motors.

1971

William Pyle testifies before the U.S. House on Human Resource Accounting.

1980s

Expansion of “strategic workforce planning” and environmental scanning.

HRI research funded by companies like IBM, AT&T, and the Federal Reserve.

Move to Eckerd College, where a dedicated research team forms.

2000s

2000

Launch of TrendWatcher, a weekly research newsletter with Ford Motor Company.

2004

Acquisition of Syndicated Research Group (human capital tech focus).

2007

HRI relaunched as the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) with $6M in Series A funding.

2010s

Rapid expansion in membership and revenue (25–30x growth).

Recognition: Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies (eight times).

Established as global leader in “next practices” research.

2020s

Continued profitable growth and community expansion.

2025

Majority investment by M|C Partners; Terry Waters named CEO.

i4cp enters its next era of global innovation.