The Top Training Priorities For 2003

Having trouble sleeping these days? According to the first annual survey of priorities conducted by Training magazine and Sunnyvale, Calif. research firm Brandon-hall.com, you're not alone. Last November, we sent surveys to more than 5,000 senior training professionals to find out about their top training priorities for this year. What are their top goals for 2003, what obstacles lie in their way, and how do they intend to accomplish their goals?

After compiling the results from 560 open-ended descriptions of priorities, we interviewed respondents to glean more details about their priorities. The most common cause of insomnia among people we interviewed was the difficulty of producing and delivering high-quality training in tough economic times. But despite slashed budgets and staff cuts, your colleagues and competitors are forging ahead with innovative training programs designed to move their businesses ahead.

"We're being real creative," says Richard O'Coin, head of the Learning Resource Network for UnumProvident, Portland, Maine. "We're doing some really interesting things that, even if times get better, will still be the right way to do something."

Read on to find out how senior training professionals plan to overcome the challenges to accomplish their 2003 goals.



Softskills, Hard Results