A survey of management priorities for 2027 found that “talent recruitment and development” was the top priority at 19.2%, while 61.9% reported delays or work not yet started and 59.3% said talent shortages were hindering progress.
Axis Consulting Corporation conducted a survey of 639 managers and leaders nationwide in their 20s to 60s who have subordinates, titled the “Survey of the Current State of Management Priorities and Talent and Expertise.” The results showed that “talent recruitment and development” was the top management priority for 2027, at 19.2%. This was followed by “productivity improvement and operational reform” at 15.6% and “growth of existing businesses” at 13.3%.
Among respondents who cited their top priority, 61.9% said its execution was delayed or had not yet started. At the same time, progress was also lagging across management priorities overall, with a high proportion reporting delays.
Shortages of talent and expertise were strongly recognised as causes of delayed progress, with 59.3% of all respondents reporting an impact. Areas identified as experiencing pronounced delays included shortages of “leaders driving transformation” and “talent with advanced expertise.”
The most common area of future investment was “talent development and reskilling,” at 32.9%, followed by “next-generation leadership development” at 28.2%, as well as “mid-career recruitment” and “securing AI and DX talent.”
The survey also covered management and leadership in the age of AI, management priorities and talent strategies, and is intended to explore the direction of future talent strategies.