Henley Business School Reveals Results Of Corporate Learning Priorities Survey 2010
Released
on: January 28, 2010, 7:48 am
Author:
Henley Business School
Industry: Education
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 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 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 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 to reflect
the current priorities of organisations and those that lead them."
Ends
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, 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
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2 Harpenden Road
St. Albans
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+44 1727 737989
www.henley.reading.ac.uk
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