This Executive Research Brief is a condensed study highlighting the findings from 256 organizations concerning their practices surrounding talent management investments. With the competition for talent peaking, finding, retaining and engaging employees with critical skills, as well as developing top performers into future leaders, have risen to the top of the priority list for talent managers and their organizations.

This survey examined the perceived organizational talent management alignment with strategy, as well as explored the popularity of the talent management programs that comprised organizations’ strategic management solutions. By examining the top 5 areas for talent management in 2011 and comparing that to what organizations report will be their top 5 areas for investments in 2012, this survey reveals the shifting priorities of talent management functions.

The talent management themes addressed in this Executive Research Brief are:

•    How organizations are aligning their talent initiative with organizational strategy.
•    Changes in investment priorities from 2011 to 2012.
•    Trends in personnel and technology spending.