SkillSoft Survey Reveals Significant Percentage of Employees Question the Abilities of their Boss

Lack of leadership skills is key factor in employee confidence, study finds

NASHUA, N.H., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL), a leading provider of e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education, and small to medium- sized businesses, today announced, in conjunction with National Boss' Day, the results of a revealing survey about management perceptions in the workplace. The SkillSoft survey found that more than 35 percent of employees do not consider their boss a leader and 30 percent of employees do not think their boss is qualified for the job.

For the study, SkillSoft interviewed over 200 employees, ranging from entry-level to executive positions, in IT, sales and marketing, customer service, finance, human resources, administration, and other roles. Over 80 percent of the participants were under the age of fifty; over 40 percent have been in their field for over 10 years; and almost half were from the field of information technology. The study included participants from all areas of the United States and over 60 percent have been with their employer for more than three years.

The study went on to further reveal that 65 percent of employees in IT- related roles would attest to their boss' leadership skills, as opposed to a grim 51 percent of employees in sales and marketing that questioned the ability of their boss to lead their department.

"This new report uncovers an all too common challenge plaguing businesses," said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development & Emerging Business for SkillSoft. "Managers are likely to receive little or no guidance in developing strong leadership skills. However, management training is an integral component for enhancing employee productivity, improving job satisfaction, reducing employee turnover and maintaining agility in the workforce."

Most of these skills can be acquired through a corporate training program that incorporates a mix of e-learning components such as knowledge portals, leadership training videos and online content geared towards management and leadership issues. By making these resources available, managers are able to acquire the leadership skills required to guide, nurture, and inspire their staff. The result is a more knowledgeable, effective and motivated organization.

The SkillSoft-sponsored survey was conducted by Infosurv, Inc., a full service market research company. The survey took place between September 7-20, 2007. Invosurv's online sampling partner for this survey was Greenfield Online, who developed the first online respondent panel in 1994. The Greenfield Online recruitment program continues to set and maintain the industry standard for strict privacy policies, secure opt-in requirements, and recruits across a broad array of Internet properties. Greenfield Online recruits from all over the Internet and collaborates with thousands of websites. These Internet properties include everything from major Internet portals and networks to personal Web pages. The company built its recruiting strategy on a "bottom-up" basis to avoid systemic biases.

Visit http://www.skillsoft.com for a complementary copy of Extending Reach and Ensuring Effectiveness of Leadership Development: The Role of Technology- Based Learning white paper.

About SkillSoft

SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL) is a leading SaaS provider of on-demand e- learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses. SkillSoft enables business organizations to maximize business performance through a combination of comprehensive e-learning content, online information resources, flexible learning technologies and support services.

Content offerings include business, IT, desktop, compliance and consumer/SMB courseware collections, as well as complementary content assets such as Leadership Development Channel video products, KnowledgeCenter(TM) portals, virtual instructor-led training services and online mentoring services. The Books24x7(R) division offers online access to more than 15,000 digitized IT and business books, as well as book summaries and executive reports. Technology offerings include the SkillPort(R) learning management system, Search-and-Learn(R), SkillSoft(R) Dialogue(TM) virtual classroom, and SkillView(R) competency management software.

SkillSoft courseware content described herein is for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. SkillSoft has no obligation or commitment to develop or deliver any future release, upgrade, feature, enhancement or function described in this press release except as specifically set forth in a written agreement.

SkillSoft, the SkillSoft logo, SkillPort, Search-and-Learn, SkillChoice, Books24x7, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials, GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Express Guide and Dialogue are trademarks or registered trademarks of SkillSoft PLC in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners, countries.

     Contacts:
     Donna Keenan                  Rebecca Parkhurst
     SkillSoft                     PAN Communications, Inc.
     603.821.3211                  978.474.1900
     Donna_Keenan@SkillSoft.com    SkillSoft@pancomm.com

SOURCE SkillSoft PLC

Released October 16, 2007