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Is Geography killing your talent acquisition?

Geographical requirements are a huge obstacle to overcome when recruiting. While not every employee can work remotely, there are a multitude of positions that can be handled effectively from remote locations. Compound that problem even more by locating your office in a remote (but scenic) location, and see what the talent pool looks like now.  There is a reason traffic is light on your way to the office.  All of the “Talent” is headed in the other direction!

 

Is your company one that requires everyone to be housed in one location? Do you honestly get up and walk to each person’s desk or office for every business interaction, or do you rely heavily on technology to work more efficiently (even if their office is down the hall or in the same building)? I’m guessing it’s the latter. I bet you have (at minimum) a phone, smart phone and computer within arm’s reach. How much of that technology is portable? The world has changed immensely in the last few years. Technological innovations and advancements make it possible to conduct business efficiently and effectively in “real-time”, on a global scale

 

Centralizing operations has economic value when containing operational costs. However, it may be costing you money in another way if you cannot attract (or retain) the right talent because you insist all employees report to a specific location. Do you really think your employees are working any harder just because you might be lurking around the corner? {We once had a client who wanted all of their National “Field sales” Reps to reside near the Corporate Headquarters, even though they were expected to spend most of their time on the road meeting with clients across the country! I can tell you all that extra travel is NOT a selling point for joining their company?}

 

If you expect to attract the best Talent, you have to offer them something they want. The New generation of talent is not motivated merely by money. Most recent college graduates and young professionals will tell you they are drawn to organizations that offer flexible, innovative, creative and/or virtual work environments. In fact these elements generally rank higher on their list than salary.

 

So the next time you jump up from your desk to personally interact with each of your employees, ask yourself, “is Geography killing your recruiting efforts?”

 

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RT @andydixon: If I wanted to see someone in a tracksuit with a burning stick running down a high street, I wouldve gone to the London r ...