Boston, MA – March 5, 2009 – Talent retention and development programs are high priority for Massachusetts Employers in 2009, according to a recent survey by Camden Consulting Group, a division of Keystone Parneters and comprehensive talent management consulting, leadership development and executive coaching firm.

 

The Camden Consulting Group Survey canvassed 700 companies, all based or running operations in Massachusetts, and reveals that a majority of respondents are planning to counter the current recession by concentrating on development and maintenance of the key talent within their companies. When asked if they have a formal talent management program in place to support their company during times of major change, 64.9% of respondents answered that they had targeted leadership and management training in place, and 51.4% stated they had key talent retention programs as well as 54.1% had employee engagement programs already established.

 

When asked, “What areas of talent management will you focus on in 2009?” Most answers focused on the development and training of key, existing talent:

 

When asked, “What are the key drivers of your talent management priorities?” almost half of survey respondents referred to building or maintaining organizational culture and values (41.5%), in addition to top talent development (41.5%), and leadership and management development (68.3%). 

 

“An organization’s culture and values are challenged during major downsizings and restructurings. Leaders are wise to ensure a strong cultural foundation is in place to help them navigate the turbulence. Revisiting vision, strategies and goals and ensuring alignment should be among an organization’s top priorities right now, and it appears that the respondents feel similarly,” said Susan Miele, Senior Partner of Camden Consulting Group.

 

“The results of our survey reflect what we are seeing in the marketplace,” said Miele. “Our clients are focusing on supporting their leaders with targeted yet integrated approaches to development, betting that strong managers will help them through the economic recovery,” said Miele. “We are assisting our clients through these challenging economic times by tailoring organizational resiliency and talent development programs designed to maximize their performance and develop the needed capabilities for success in today’s marketplace. Most of our clients seem to be positioned to maintain a steady course of business in 2009.”

 

“They are being strategic and continuing to make an investment in key talent and employee engagement to ensure a stronger organization is in place when they emerge from troubled times,” added Miele.
 
There were 64.3% of respondents at the director, executive or senior executive/c-suite level and 59.4% of companies surveyed had gross incomes between $100 million to more than 1 billion.

 

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