Coaching soars in depths of recession

Research to be launched at the CIPD Coaching at Work conference has found that almost 90% of organisations now use coaching. The Taking the Temperature of Coaching Report, which surveys over 500 companies, finds half (51%) consider coaching as a key part of learning and development and consider it ëcrucial to their strategyí. It is being used at all levels to build on good performance (23%), improve poor performance (20%) and it forms part of leadership development (23%).

The event brings together everyone with an interest in, and responsibility for coaching to explore how to best use coaching and mentoring at work, what the pitfalls are and how it can be used to deliver even more.

ìIt is not surprising that so many are turning to coaching and mentoring to improve performance,î says Dr John McGurk, CIPD Adviser, Learning and Talent. ìWhen budgets are tightened, itís a relatively inexpensive way to develop staff and it also has the benefit of being tailored to an organisation's specific needs. As well as this, coaching has great scope to improve employee engagement, empower people and boost morale at a time of great uncertainty.

ìAt the conference, weíll look at how those using coaching and mentoring can make sure that they really reap the benefits throughout the organisation. Itís vital that coachingís impact is measurable and tightly aligned with the business agenda, as well as helping individuals to develop. Otherwise, it runs the risk of being seen as something which only takes place in the executive suiteî.

Conference sessions include:

- Launch of the Taking the Temperature of Coaching Research, Dr John McGurk, CIPD

- Panel discussion on The merits of different types of workplace coaching with David Clutterbuck, Founder Clutterbuck Associates, Ty Francis, Director Ty Francis Ltd, Jackie Keddy, European Conflict Management Forum and Metropolitan Police Leadership Academy

- The Manager as Coach, Valerie Anderson, Portsmouth Business School and Michael Staunton, VT Group plc

- Coaching for Engagement, Mark Waight, Logica and Vikki Matthews, Nike

- The Search for Excellence - how the NHS Institute selects coaches who are fit-for-purpose Susan Mortlock, NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and Dr Caroline Horner, i-coach academy