The 2012 Agenda for Talent: Focus on Global Growth, Invest in Leadership

Welcome 2012! Since 2008, the rational response for business, finance and talent leaders at the start of each year has been, "Hold your breath and proceed with caution." The economy -- and talent markets -- continues to be a roller coaster ride, with blind curves, drops and rises just ahead. Amidst this uncertainty, companies continue to grapple with the talent challenges required of a new global, multi-speed world where difficulty recruiting the talent necessary to meet growth agendas remains, despite continued high levels of unemployment.

Beyond holding your breath, what can business leaders consider doing in response to the global talent markets as we start 2012? The results of Deloitte Consulting's most recent Talent Edge 2020 survey shed light on how companies are responding to these challenges. Started in January 2009, Talent Edge 2020 is a longitudinal survey series conducted in collaboration with Forbes Insights. In the fall of 2011, we surveyed 376 senior executives and talent managers at large companies (annual sales of +$500 million) worldwide, across a range of major industries. Following are the key findings which might be helpful in charting talent priorities in the coming year.