Taleo Corporation, the leading provider of on-demand talent management solutions, today announced results of new research entitled ëHR Challenges in 2009í. Conducted by Taleo Research, the survey found that HR managers are anticipating a change of focus in the coming year. As the global economic crisis continues to impact businesses, employee retention is seen as the greatest challenge overall. This reflects the need for organisations to identify and retain top talent during a period when internal mobility is essential to retain a competitive edge and ensure company survival as the UK economy slows.
For the third consecutive year, the survey asked more than 150 senior HR managers in the United Kingdom about their biggest challenges in the coming 12 months, what tools they need to help optimise HR performance, and their HR budget expectations.
Since 2006, the ëHR Challengesí research has found that employee retention is the biggest concern for HR managers. In an unstable economy, employee engagement tools such as effective goal alignment, internal mobility, career planning and succession programmes are essential for motivating the workforce. According to the report, almost half of HR managers named ëa system to improve performance management, succession and career planningí as the one thing that would help them do their jobs better in 2009.
Highlights from the research include:
As in 2006 and 2007, employee retention was seen as the biggest HR challenge for the coming year, ranking as the number one concern.
Almost half (48%) of respondents want ëa system to improve performance management, succession and career planningí in 2009.
In a reversal of last yearís research, more HR managers expect their budget to decrease (25%) rather than increase (22%). About half (54%) expect no change.
More than half (56%) of management teams view HR as an enabler or driver of their business. Just 20% see HR purely as a hiring function.
ìWhilst the current economic climate is clearly influencing the agenda for HR leaders, the challenges of retaining, motivating and aligning employees remain a priority. The results show that more than ever there is pressure on HR to deliver real business impact, and to do so with HR costs constrained,î said Chris Phillips, Vice President of International Marketing for Taleo. ìIntuitive talent management systems, designed for the business as well as HR, can play a critical part in ensuring the organisational adoption of any talent strategy. The number of respondents prioritising the need for performance management, succession and career planning systems shows that HR managers realise the importance of enabling technology in executing talent management programmes.î
UK HR Leaders Face Fresh Challenges in 2009 as the Economy Slows
Third Annual Research Survey Shows Organisations are Looking for Better Tools to Identify and Engage Talent; Many Expect to Do More with Less Budget
