Harold Jarche points us to a recently released study on corporate responses to the recession/depression we're currently in:

Aside from the obvious implications for L&D (which Harold dissects nicely), the bigger issue is that here is yet another reason why no one can afford to depend on their company for professional development. You must take responsibility for your own learning.

Smart companies use the downturns to prepare for when the economy improves. That's what smart people do, too. So some questions to consider in preparation for what promises to be a long, cold winter:

• Have you taken steps to make yourself a "career untouchable"?

• Do you know what skills employers are looking for? (This article says that part of what we're dealing with here is a fundamental mismatch between what people know how to do and where the jobs are).

• Do you know which of your skills are obsolete or on their way to becoming so? Are you doing something to build new ones?

• Have you set up a personal learning plan for yourself?

• Are you building your learning network?

• Are you developing your skills as an "e-flective practitioner"?

• Are you building a reputation instead of a resume? 

• Are you using LinkedIn for lifelong learning? How about using it for networking, job searching, development, etc."

• Are you focusing on thriving in scary times, instead of just surviving?

Now is the time to invest in yourself. If you don't, no one else will. What can you do to make that investment?

Flickr photo via wonderwebby