Top Fortune 500 Companies Embrace Toastmasters to Develop Employees' Soft Skills

Strategic Insights -

The world's leading employers are acknowledging the importance of soft skills in their workforce, with nearly 300 of the 2020 Fortune 500 companies offering in-house Toastmasters clubs to improve communication, leadership, and public speaking skills. Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization, has seen significant growth in corporate clubs, with over 1,000 formed in the past 18 months. Technology giants such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are among the industry leaders embracing the program, which aims to enhance employees' confidence and valuable soft skills.

Key Takeaways:

  • 92% of talent professionals and hiring managers agree that candidates with strong soft skills are increasingly important, according to LinkedIn's 2019 Global Talent Trends Report.
  • 89% of hiring managers believe that "bad hires" typically have poor soft skills, further emphasizing the need for soft skills training.
  • Soft skills, including oral communication, leadership, and time management, make up nearly half the list of skills with the largest skills gaps, according to LinkedIn's Emerging Jobs report.
  • Approximately 60% of the 2020 Fortune 500 companies have at least one active Toastmasters club.
  • Toastmasters' communication and leadership program focuses on enhancing presentation skills, listening skills, effective meeting conduct, team collaboration, and time management.
  • The program has seen significant growth, with over 1,000 corporate clubs formed in the past 18 months.
  • Companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Bank of America are among the top Fortune 500 companies using the Toastmasters program to develop and enhance their employees' soft skills.

Statistics:

  • 92% of talent professionals and hiring managers agree that candidates with strong soft skills are increasingly important (LinkedIn's 2019 Global Talent Trends Report).
  • 89% of hiring managers believe that "bad hires" typically have poor soft skills (LinkedIn's Emerging Jobs report).
  • Over 1,000 corporate Toastmasters clubs were formed in the past 18 months.
  • Approximately 60% of the 2020 Fortune 500 companies have at least one active Toastmasters club.
  • 32 of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies have at least three active Toastmasters clubs.

Sources:

  • LinkedIn's 2019 Global Talent Trends Report
  • LinkedIn's Emerging Jobs report
  • Toastmasters International
  • Fortune 500 Company information