Feeling slighted or neglected at work these days? Take heart. The retention and acquisition of talent in America’s workforce has become the cornerstone priority in the executive suite, says global consulting giant, Accenture. In surveying 425 senior execs from North America, Europe and Asia, researchers found that attracting and retaining skilled staff tops the list (35%) of management concerns in 2005. Changing the organizational culture and employee attitudes ranked second (33%) on their list of priorities. Improving worker performance (28%) and developing capable leaders (26%) also made the top ten list for needed improvements.
"The most powerful theme emerging this year is a strong and consistent focus on people," said managing partner, Peter Cheese. "Even though the business conversations have centered on global competition and the need for execution, business leaders are increasingly aware that nothing happens unless people-talent is engaged in the right way."
Top priorities also include expansion of customer services both in retention (29%) and the acquisition of new customers (32%). Similarly, issues relating to innovation remain key to those polled, particularly with regard to new process and product development. "Innovation, like expansion, seems to be an issue that rises in importance when the economy improves. That may be natural, but it is also short-sighted," said Cheese. "Innovation should never be out of mind - possibly even more so in tough times."
For more on this survey, click here. |
