Talent Leadership: The New Boardroom Imperative

BOSTON, MA, Jul 07 (MARKET WIRE) --
Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), announced the release
of its "The 2009 State of the Market: Mid-Year Insights Report" which
shows that 60% of HR and line of business executives believe that the
current state of the economy will increase the importance their
organization places on Human Capital Management (HCM) in 2009. The
priority for HCM leaders is on enabling execution of business strategy
through an engaged workforce that has the right skills in the right place
at the right time.

The current economy has pushed organizations to have a laser focus on
execution, and 57% of respondents to "The 2009 State of the Market:
Mid-Year Insights Report" cited "improving business execution" as the
number one strategy their organization will employ moving into 2009.
Collaboration between HR and business leaders to understand business
success criteria was cited by 65% Best-in-Class companies, and should be
a core part of any HCM strategy in the coming year.

"The ability to link the skills and abilities of the workforce to
organizational goals will be critical," said Mollie Lombardi, Research
Analyst, Human Capital Management. "Without a clear picture of what the
business will need in the future, human capital leaders can not hope to
create the right programs to attract, retain, engage and develop the
talent that will be required."

Key to that ability to attract and retain is an emphasis on engagement,
which was cited by 42% of Best-in-Class organizations at their top
strategy for 2009. Unlocking that engagement will be the underpinning of
success in all aspects of talent management from hiring to developing,
and measuring performance.

HCM leaders will also challenged to undertake all of these strategic
efforts while continuing to deliver all tactical HR services and
activities to the organization. A primary barrier that organizations of
all sizes and levels of technology sophistication must overcome is the
burden on HR of time spent on tactical activities. Forty-six percent
(46%) of all organizations responding to "The 2009 HR Executive's Agenda"
study cited time spent on tactical HR activities as the top barrier to HR
becoming more strategic. Whether through the implementation of technology
to automate processes, through strategic outsourcing of key activities,
or by reorganization to optimize operational efficiencies, finding ways
to do more with less -- the mantra of all functional leaders in 2009 --
will be key to achieving strategic partnership.

About The 2009 Aberdeen Report "State of the Market: Mid-Year Insights":

Each section of the report is designed to serve two purposes: 1) educate
the CEO on key trends, initiatives and developments; and 2) provide
guidance to functional leaders as they encounter new challenges, embrace
new opportunities and adapt to the changing economic environment,
providing executive teams with a roadmap to navigate through uncertain
times. A copy of the report can be obtained at:
http://resources.aberdeen.com/2009AberdeenReport

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that
delivers demonstrable results. Having queried more than 30,000 companies
in the past two years, Aberdeen is positioned to educate users to action:
driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering
meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the
global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen for insights that
drive decisions. As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of
putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing
company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer
optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight
- Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the
strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional
information, visit Aberdeen or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more
about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

Copyright 2009 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
451 D Street, Suite 710
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1928
Telephone: (617) 854-5200
Fax: (617) 723-7897
www.aberdeen.com

Media Contact:
Tracey Jones
Aberdeen Harte-Hanks
(925) 264-1838
tracey.jones@aberdeen.com

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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