Managers shun desk chains - and boss - in economic downturn

According to research by Leading Edge, the development network of managers in the grocery industry, food professionals are investing in themselves in order to prosper. A survey of more than 3,000 managers founds that gaining new skills and networking were the biggest career priorities in the current climate. 

"The findings debunk the myth that, in less certain economic times, workers believe they should just put in longer hours to get on," said Leading Edge's business development manager Shanna Ritchie.

"Conventional wisdom might say that industry professionals ought to chain themselves to their desk during a downturn. However, this  survey reveals that workers recognise that by developing their own skills, and getting out and about to advance their network, is a much smarter approach for both themselves and their employer," she says.

Developing their relationship with their boss and working longer hours were rated as least important for industry professionals.

When asked what their employer should focus on in the current turbulent conditions, respondents ranked development and training opportunities as an important priority, behind the immediate business needs of keeping supply chain costs down, better marketing and new product development as a priority for their employer.