Each day seems to bring mixed news about where the economy is headed.

With the future still so uncertain, companies are gearing up for what may come by arming themselves with information, updating their compensation plans, and offering their employees career opportunities and training. These are the findings of an exclusive IOMA survey of nearly 300 HR professionals.

When asked what actions their organizations will take to prepare for the coming 12 months, 53.3 percent of HR professionals said there would be a focus on market pay and using salary surveys (see Table 1).

“The desire and ability to use salary surveys to keep abreast of market pay and attract and retain staff is a positive sign of growth with respect to our expanding operating budget,” said one manager responding to the survey.

Copyright 2011, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.