Networking the Connectors

            This past spring, I had the opportunity to Madison, Wisconsin to study how they are addressing the issue of talent infusion. My trip to Madison was part of a larger research investigation conducted by Spotlight Michigan, a student group studying talent retention issues in Michigan.

Madison seems to have the “spark” of a community that naturally attracts smart, talented individuals but what I discovered is a web of talent retention experts working to create the spark. I found that one of Madison’s greatest assets is that when people have a question related to talent retention or business relocation, they can ask anyone remotely involved in community building and quickly be directed to the correct contact. When one of my counterparts set up the meeting in Madison, he sent one email to the head of the young professionals organization who, after hearing what kind of work we were interested in, brought economic development corporations, university technology transfer offices, representatives from incubators, and other young professionals to the table. One email yielded contacts with over six different groups focusing on talent retention in Madison.

            Lansing is lucky: unlike Madison, we many more organized groups working on talent retention issues. Together, we are committed to creating a young, vibrant culture. But, what would happen if, like Madison, those groups worked together to develop a holistic talent retention strategy? The impact of this collaboration would be immense!

            Part of Spotlight Michigan’s research found that the number one asset that a young entrepreneur would like in a community is a strong and supportive entrepreneurial network. Yet, I believe that this attraction to networks is not limited to just entrepreneurial support. People naturally like to be around connected people. In order to cultivate a sustainable culture of inclusion (and ultimately talent attraction), the initial connections between interest groups need to be visible, meaningful, and sustained.

            Talented young professionals want to be connected to their community in some way. In order to do this, we must first network the connectors.