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Increased Competition, Talent Recruitment Rank as Top Organizational Issues in 2007
Annual Ken Blanchard Corporate Issues Survey finds management, HR concerned about new competitors popping up, feasibility of growth in face of skilled labor shortage
San Diego — April 30, 2007 — Increased competition and continually escalating challenges in attracting and retaining good people are the leading organizational concerns in 2007, and the situation is not expected to change in the next few years, according to the just-released findings from The Ken Blanchard Companies annual Corporate Issues Survey.
This is the fifth annual Blanchard survey of training and human resources managers and corporate leaders. Survey participants shared information about organizational business issues as well as top management and employee development challenges. Their responses pinpoint the needs and issues of organizations seeking to develop their people to their fullest potential.
Respondents indicate that their most pressing issues this year include:
The respondents agree that the number one concern — increased competition — affects their ability to attract and retain good people. It also creates a climate where customers form a "commodity" mind-set. This drives price sensitivity and the need to differentiate products, services and offerings in a way that capitalizes on an organization's value proposition.
Growth was the second-ranked challenge this year as well as last. Organizations cite the need to grow with a strategic focus along with increasing efficiency, streamlining work functions and providing quality products and services while simplifying and standardizing processes. In addition, respondents indicated the need to grow leadership bench strength through succession planning to take their organizations in the right direction.
Recognizing that people are a key variable in being able to deliver relative to growth and customer service goals, respondents continue to place leadership development, selecting and retaining key talent, creating an engaged workforce and managerial skills as critical areas of focus. They believe that competitive advantage and success hinge on good leadership, stating that leadership drives improvement in all other areas.
This is the fifth annual Blanchard survey of training and human resources managers and corporate leaders. Survey participants shared information about organizational business issues as well as top management and employee development challenges. Their responses pinpoint the needs and issues of organizations seeking to develop their people to their fullest potential.
Respondents indicate that their most pressing issues this year include:
- Competitors evolving and appearing from new sources;
- The feasibility of growth and expansion while facing a lack of skilled labor;
- The need to shore up internal leadership and management bench strength and retain top talent;
- Balancing these high-level internal concerns and the demands created by servicing and satisfying customers.
The respondents agree that the number one concern — increased competition — affects their ability to attract and retain good people. It also creates a climate where customers form a "commodity" mind-set. This drives price sensitivity and the need to differentiate products, services and offerings in a way that capitalizes on an organization's value proposition.
Growth was the second-ranked challenge this year as well as last. Organizations cite the need to grow with a strategic focus along with increasing efficiency, streamlining work functions and providing quality products and services while simplifying and standardizing processes. In addition, respondents indicated the need to grow leadership bench strength through succession planning to take their organizations in the right direction.
Recognizing that people are a key variable in being able to deliver relative to growth and customer service goals, respondents continue to place leadership development, selecting and retaining key talent, creating an engaged workforce and managerial skills as critical areas of focus. They believe that competitive advantage and success hinge on good leadership, stating that leadership drives improvement in all other areas.
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