The document discusses a survey of UK managers about digital learning and leadership development. The survey found that while most managers spend at least one day a year on digital learning, many believe their organizations only offer it to cut costs rather than enhance quality. Younger managers in particular feel current digital options do not meet their expectations and prefer face-to-face learning. However, the potential is large for organizations that provide personalized, social, credible digital learning aligned with their objectives.

1. LEARNING
TO LEAD.
The Digital Potential.
JUST DUMPING TEXTBOOKS ONTO SMARTPHONES
IS A ‘DUMB WAY’ TO DEVELOP MANAGERS.
Digital learning is the
norm but managers
aren’t always impressed.
December 2015
Many organisations that offer
digital learning are doing it
for the wrong reasons…
…or haven’t thought about
how digital can help reach
organisational goals.
of managers spend at
least one day a year
on digital learning.
think that their organisation only
offers digital management and
leadership development to cut costs…
One in three (37%) agree
that digital courses are
not aligned with their
organisation’s objectives.
But 79% believe that their
organisation is not realising
digital learning potential.
…only 20% say it’s used to
actually enhance the quality
of the material.
97%
69%
Employers are at risk of making tech-savvy managers ‘switch off’ from learning new
skills with dated digital technologies, according to a survey of 1,184 UK managers.
The research was conducted in summer 2015 by CMI and Oxford Strategic Consulting.
“Managers want personalised bite-size content, to share knowledge and learn
from connected peer networks, to ask questions and get feedback in real time.
Why? Because it’s now part of how we work and live.”
Ann Francke, CEO, Chartered Management Institute

2. “Successful L&D professionals will respond by
providing guidance for self-directed learning, ensuring
that high-quality content is easily accessible and
building new ways to help ‘do’ leadership.”
Prof. William Scott-Jackson, report author, Oxford Strategic Consulting
To read the full report go to www.managers.org.uk/digitallearning or join the conversation at #MgtDigitalLearning.
To find out more about CMI’s comprehensive
digital learning portal, ManagementDirect, go to
www.managers.org.uk/managementdirect
and sign up for a free 7-day trial.
Be personal Be innovative
41% of younger managers
want more apps and games
(compared to only 16% of over-55s).
Be social
58% of younger managers want better peer
networks … which only 15% think digital learning
methods are currently able to provide.
Just 20% say that the digital
learning they’ve undertaken
has been accredited.
YOUNGER MANAGERS PREFER FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING
– BECAUSE THE CURRENT DIGITAL OPTIONS DON’T MEET
THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE DIGITALLY SAVVY. BUT THE
POTENTIAL FOR FIRMS GETTING DIGITAL RIGHT IS HUGE.
73% want digital learning to be more
personalised by using adaptive learning
methods – where the content and approach
are tailored to individual learning styles.
Be credible