Learning executives ended 2010 with a surge of optimism and are confident about the outlook and expectations for the learning function for the first half of 2011, according to the latest measurement by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). The Learning Executives Confidence Index (LXCI) for the fourth quarter of 2010 grew to its highest score on record. The current LXCI surveyed 235 learning executives about their expectations in four areas: impact on corporate performance; ability to meet learning needs; status as a key strategic component; and availability of resources. It is modeled on the CEO Confidence Indices reported by Chief Executive Magazine and The Conference Board.
The ASTD LXCI for the fourth quarter of 2010 was 62.9, an increase of 3.3 points from the third quarter score of 59.6. The third quarter score reflected a slight drop from the upward trend of the index over the course of 2010. The last quarter escalation shows that learning executives (LXs) collectively expect their learning functions to remain the same or improve over the next six months. After drops at the end of 2008, executive confidence rebounded in the second and third quarters of 2009, plateauing in the fourth quarter and rebounding through 2010. The previous high score of 62.0 for the LXCI was achieved in the second quarter of 2010. The LXCI is measured on a 100-point scale.
Highlights from the LXCI for the fourth quarter of 2010 include:
- The number of LXs who expect increased funding for outsourced or external services continues to increase.
- LXs believe economic conditions will place a stronger emphasis on learning, greater re-use of existing content, and greater reliance on informal learning.
- Nearly 80 percent of LXs anticipate increase in funding for learning and development.
- 86.8 percent of LXs report their industry will remain the same or improve over the next six months, up from 83.2 percent in the third quarter.
- 90.2 percent of LXs anticipate organizational profit will remain the same or improve.
ASTD's Learning Executives Confidence Index was launched in August 2008 and is designed to assess the outlooks and expectations of learning executives for the next six months.
To read the full report, go to http://www.astd.org/content/research/LXCI.htm.
