What are you going to do for your “Human Resources” this year?
A recent survey conducted by the Chartered Management Institute confirms that UK managers believe 2008 will be a tougher year for business. Confidence levels have dropped considerably and many have raised concerns about a shortage of management skills, the impact of rising business costs and high levels of debt.
Almost half of UK employers (48%) in the survey claim that a shortage of management skills in the UK will have a negative impact on their company's performance. In spite of this, twenty per cent of employers are predicting a decrease in training and development this year and only one-in-three plan to acquire qualifications and run courses. Is this wise? Surely this should be the time to invest in your managers, so that you can keep them ahead of the game in what could be a challenging year ahead. Keeping your managers and staff motivated allows their creativity to unfold - vital when the market is slowing. Negativity never gets anyone anywhere. Positive managers will always achieve more than negative ones. It is difficult for staff to remain negative when their manager sets a positive example and encourages them to excel in what they do.
Conversely employees seem to be just as motivated as last year and want to be more successful. One-in-five plans to seek promotion with their current employer and one-tenth claim they plan to learn a new language in 2008. Nearly one third are aiming to make more money and 38% report they want to spend more time with family and friends to improve the balance between their work/life balance. So what happens when these individuals have negative messages coming from their manager? Short answer - they leave.
Jo Causon, Director of Marketing & Corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, said, “In the current climate, it is natural for employers to feel some degree of uncertainty. However, the decline in organisations developing their managers is a great concern. If employers fail to invest in the skills needed for long-term success, the UK will find it difficult to compete on a global scale in the future. It is encouraging that some individuals are taking the initiative and planning to develop themselves through qualifications and higher education in the New Year.”
Improving your managers’ performance by introducing coaching into your organisation is the first positive step you can take to moving your company forward in 2008.