Learning & development budgets are an easy target to cut during tough economical times and in my experience the first department to be trimmed, however it’s really important to be clear the impact you want, making sure your plans are completely aligned with your business strategy.

My clients right now are really focused on increasing engagement throughout the business to have positive impact on performance. People Management quotes Wayne Clarke, managing partner of Best Companies in a recent article: “organisations that have lower levels of engagement spend a lot less on learning & development”.

It’s a time when HR and Learning & Development will benefit greatly from getting closer to those leading the business strategy.

I’m sure you’d agree that polishing up ‘people’ skills will be money and time well spent. What you’ll get is stronger relationships where people are more engaged and prepared to go out on a limb.