Henley Business
School has revealed that HR professionals are preparing for a
post-recession upturn, according to its Corporate Learning Priorities
Survey 2010.
St. Albans, Herts (PRWEB)
January 30, 2010 -- Henley Business School has revealed that developing
the leadership skills of middle managers and equipping them to manage
change are among the top learning and development priorities for
organisations in 2010, according to the Corporate Learning Priorities
Survey 2010 carried out by Henley's Corporate Development team.
Respondents indicated a significant focus on leadership development (http://www.henley.reading.ac.uk/executiveeducation/cl-openedp/cl-opendp-Leadership.aspx
) in 2010, particularly at middle management level. They also
anticipate focusing on high-potentials as they grow and develop to lead
their businesses into an uncertain future. One respondent commented
they were placing, "Change even higher on the agenda in 2010" and 67%
of respondents chose 'Managing Change' as a specific development
priority for managers.
The survey, amongst 2,500 HR and learning development professionals,
was designed to provide an up-to-date perspective of the executive
education (http://www.henley.reading.ac.uk/executiveeducation/cl-home.aspx
) and development landscape. Over 60% of those completing the survey
were HR Directors, Vice-Presidents or Heads of HR or Learning &
Development in some of the UK's largest employers.
Linda Irwin, Executive Director, Corporate Development for Henley
Business School, said that the research showed many were planning for
the long-term, and not making budget cuts they may live to regret:
"Managing Directors, CEOs, HR Directors and Learning &
Development professionals have adopted a pragmatic, level-headed,
measured approach when faced with the tumultuous economic climate we
have endured. As one respondent commented in the survey, his
organisation's priority is to 'Ride out the storm that has been created
by the recession without losing our A teams.' Rather than axing
development budgets and cutting leadership development they have
focused effort on those individuals who they expect will lead their
organisations into a future yet to be created. Softer skills, in
leadership styles and in leadership coaching (http://www.henley.reading.ac.uk/executiveeducation/HenleyCoachingServices/cl-HenleyCoachingServices.aspx ) for instance, that bring out the very best in people and facilitate team working are also a priority."
Key findings of the Priorities Survey 2010 included all respondents
stating that leadership development is the most important priority. The
development of middle managers is also considered extremely important
with 67% naming it as their first or second priority, compared to only
35% rating leadership development for senior managers in their top 5.
The importance of succession planning and attracting new talent are key
priorities for 2010, both rising in importance from 2009. 67% of
respondents see equipping managers for 'managing change' as a specific
development priority, though only 16% view it as an HR concern for
2010. This inconsistency suggests the respondents - mainly HR
professionals - feel they have dealt with the immediate aftermath of
change, and may see responsibility for it now passing to managers, who
need to be equipped to deal with it.
Commenting on the findings, Linda Irwin said: "It seems
organisations are aligning their Learning and Development priorities
with their business objectives more closely than they have ever done
before. This research has helped us to redesign our Executive Education
Portfolio (http://www.henley.reading.ac.uk/executiveeducation/about/cl-about.aspx ) to reflect the current priorities of organisations and those that lead them."
Notes to Editors:
The survey was conducted online in November 2009 amongst 2,500
corporate client and non-client contacts of Henley Business School. A
total of 119 responses were received of which 60% were from Directors,
VP's or Heads of HR or Learning & Development, 32% were HR
Managers/Officers and 7% were non-HR Directors.
About Henley Business School at the University of Reading
Henley Business School is one of Europe's largest full-service business
schools and offers a comprehensive range of management courses (http://www.henley.reading.ac.uk/
), from undergraduate business degrees to executive education. Its
portfolio also encompasses the world-ranked Henley MBA, Executive MBA
and Distance Learning MBA, The Henley Doctor of Business
Administration, PhD opportunities, and postgraduate Masters courses in
business. It is also one of the very few international business schools
to hold triple accredited status (AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB).
PR Contact:
Judith Hunt
Communications Management
Calverton House
2 Harpenden Road
St. Albans
AL3 5AB
+44 1727 737989
www.henley.reading.ac.uk
