News Article - 19 May 2010
Category: Business

Research by Henley Business School reveals that whilst 61% of employers say developing a coaching culture is a top five priority, only 9% make it a first or second priority. Henley suggests this represents an uncertainty as to how to successfully create a coaching culture, and concerns that senior management teams will not support the initiative.

Career coaching is considered beneficial to both employers and employees, with employees enjoying continued employability and a more accurate vision of potential career paths - in addition to improved job security and contentment. Employers improve their attractiveness to key talent and increase the chance of retaining valued employees.

In addition, employers improve the company's adaptability to change by creating a more responsive workforce with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet new challenges and succeed. This has been cited as a reason why coaching remained high on priority lists during the recession, when extensive employee development cuts were made.

The Henley Business School research also found that clients stressed the importance of coaching as a means to maintain individual clarity and resourcefulness in a people-driven economic recovery. As businesses push forward with recovery programmes, coaching is seen as a way to unify and enhance efforts to reach tangible results. Other positive reasons for pursuing coaching programmes include competitive costs-per-hour against comparable training investments, and the ability to link coaching goals with critical business needs.

As the economic climate continues to fluctuate, businesses will look for innovative ways to stabilise operations and gain valuable market share. Coaching should be considered as a cost-effective way to boost efficiency and improve the employee-employer relationship, although employers should make decisions on employee development programmes on the back of extensive staff feedback. With recent surveys suggesting employees will not hesitate to move to another company if unhappy, employers must open dialogue channels to ensure workers remain satisfied.

Access software can strengthen the employee-employer relationship and identify the most beneficial employee development programmes. The powerful training administration module holds comprehensive details of employee training needs and a history of completed activities. By breaking down needs on an individual basis, companies can ensure that all staff are happy with development programmes, helping to improve retention levels.

For more information, please call Access on 0845 345 3300.

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