Right now, life is probably good for your business … mostly. Except that your biggest and justifiably most important issue has become finding people with the right skills and talent to help your business grow. It’s important, but in no way unique.
I belong to a small group of software-based companies. These are young, and some not quite so young, B2B and B2C companies. They meet every other month and talk about industry trends and needs, networking together with like-minded people. They have the same problem as you: finding people with the particular skills they need.
They’re finding that students coming out of college and high schools aren’t ready to go. Fortunately, in the world of programming, which is not location bound, they have options to hire talent from across the country. This can be expensive and time consuming, and they would prefer to hire locally. Some of the members are remote workers themselves, doing programming for companies in other regions, choosing to live here. They are frustrated just like you.
I’m also involved in education. I hear educators lament that they aren’t able to connect with companies. They desperately want to give their students the skills needed to get jobs in IT and to stay in the area. They want guidance from the companies, but aren’t able to connect. It occurred to us, the organizers of the tech lunches, that there might be an opportunity to give employers and educators what they need to help each other.
We decided we’d hold a meeting with just companies and educators from across the county. High schools and universities sent representatives, as did the companies.
The agenda was simple: to explore the challenges and opportunities of employers and educators, and how to bridge them. The extreme focus with just the two groups allowed for a more meaningful interaction. Both groups learned what the other needed and what limitations and opportunities exist.
The professionals in the room had a chance to hear directly from each other. They left with actionable items. Some will make adjustments to their thinking and approach, and some won’t or can’t. However, the opportunity for real impact is now available. They know each other and can work together directly, not through others. We’ll see over the coming months how effective this focused interaction works out.
People are probably your most pressing issue right now. To find a solution, sit down, just you and your community’s educators, and talk. You likely do it every day with your suppliers. Why not extend that format to include educators? Call the school. Talk to the superintendent, the principal, the curriculum director. They are working to determine the best practices for graduating students at all levels who are ready to help companies succeed. They are open and ready to help. And just like you, they understand what’s at stake.
John Myers is helping the University of Mount Union build out its entrepreneurship program, connecting with manufacturing companies to provide R&D and to establish a patent and IP commercialization policy as well as managing its incubator.
