Blanchard Research Findings
2008 CORPORATE ISSUES SURVEY
A Six-Year Look at the Trends and Issues Organizations
and Leaders Face
The Ken Blanchard Companies® annual Corporate Issues Survey pinpoints the needs and issues of organizations seeking to develop their people to their fullest potential. The findings in 2008 represent the feedback from more than 1,800 executives, line managers, and training and HR leaders from a range of companies, industries, and countries. Since 2003, almost 4,900 leaders have participated in this ongoing study.
Executive Summary
On the heels of a fairly positive and healthy economic situation in 2007, the economic outlook for 2008 is less bright. A weakened GDP growth rate, the deterioration of the housing market, and the associated declines in both the construction and financial industries have all contributed to a slowdown in aggregate job growth.
Respondents in our survey paint a similar picture citing competition, economic challenges, and growth and expansion as key organizational challenges. At the management level the set of challenges becomes more focused on people development—creating an engaged workforce, managing change, and developing potential leaders. And at the employee development level the top three issues include performance management, manager/supervisory skills, and interpersonal communication skills.
Download 2008 Corporate Issues Survey (.pdf)