Talent Connect Newsletter

Michigan Economic Development Corporation sent this bulletin at 06/04/2012 02:10 PM EDT

June 4, 2012

Fresh from the 2012 Mackinac Policy Conference, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) staff are hard at work implementing Governor Snyder's new initiatives to strengthen and support Michigan businesses. The Governor announced five additional programs under the Pure Michigan Business Connect umbrella to assist businesses in finding funding, collaborators, suppliers, microloans, and export opportunities. Read on to learn more.

I encourage successful entrepreneurs and small business owners to share your expertise and a small amount of your time with Michigan Shifting Gears. Your insight will help seasoned professionals transition from corporate careers to positions with smaller businesses and entrepreneurial start-ups. Take advantage of an 80-hour pro bono internship and get the help you need to finish that big project. And if you're looking to hire skilled and tested talent, we can connect you with Shifting Gears grads eager to put their skills to work on behalf of your business.

Cheers,

Amy Cell

Senior Vice President, Talent Enhancement

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Bridging the Manufacturing Skills Gap

Manufacturing is back and Michigan companies have good jobs to fill. But employers report having a tough time finding job seekers with the right skills. Robert Sherer, the Manufacturing Talent Director for the state of Michigan's Workforce Development Agency, details the "talent crisis" facing Michigan manufacturers here.

MEDC, the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) are hosting regional meetings to help employers tap into Michigan’s Talent System and learn from

successful programs around the state to find, train, and develop the talent they need. Topics include recruiting top talent, training for in-demand jobs, and building a pipeline of young workers. To register for one of five regional meetings scheduled in June, click here or contact MMA’s Louann Ticnor at 517-487-8531 or ticnor@mma-net.org.

Help Michigan Keep Top Talent: Become a Shifting Gears Volunteer

Michigan Shifting Gears is designed to help highly experienced job seekers transition into new careers. If you’re a successful Michigan business owner or entrepreneur and know how important it is for Michigan employers to have access to top talent, consider becoming a Michigan Shifting Gears volunteer. There are a number of ways you can help:

Become a mentor: For a commitment of only 2 to 4 hours a month for three months, you can help a transitioning professional fine-tune their skills to fit a small business environment. Participants need your insight and expertise to help harness and direct their skills toward new challenges.
Host an intern: If you’re part of a small start-up or early-stage company that would benefit from 80 hours of pro bono help from a highly-experienced professional, sign on to host a Michigan Shifting Gears intern. Register your company or business project here.
Conduct mock interviews, review resumes: If you’re able to volunteer just 2 to 3 hours total, consider reviewing resumes and leading mock interviews to help participants prepare for finding their next position.
Hire a graduate: Michigan Shifting Gears graduates are exceptionally skilled and looking for new opportunities. Contact Rhonda Pierce at piercer2@michigan.org to discuss your talent needs.

To learn more about the program, visit the Michigan Shifting Gears website.

New Business Initiatives Announced at Mackinac Policy Conference

Pure Michigan Business Connect is an $8 billion, multi-year initiative to help companies find new ways to raise capital, gain access to business services, and develop business-to-business procurement opportunities. At this year's Mackinac conference, Governor Snyder announced five additional initiatives under the Business Connect umbrella to help Michigan employers:

Develop Michigan Inc. – A public-private partnership to bring unique financing tools and financial expertise to community redevelopment projects.

Grow Michigan LLC – Designed to fill capital gaps for small and medium sized businesses.

Michigan Corps/Kiva.org – Michigan-focused microloan program for business owners, initially targeting loans for businesses in the city of Detroit.

Pure Michigan Business Connect business-to-business (B2B) network – A web-based B2B system that will link companies together to find collaborators, suppliers and new business opportunities.

State Trade Export Program (STEP) and Export Now – Expanded export assistance including financial help for companies with fewer than 500 employees and an online platform for companies to sell products directly to consumers in China.

To learn more about these new initiatives, click here, and visit the Pure Michigan Business Connect website.

Save the Date: CAR Management Briefing Seminars August 6-9

The Center for Automotive Research (CAR), an Ann Arbor non-profit dedicated to research on the future of the automotive industry, will host their annual CAR Management Briefing Seminars (MBS) on August 6-9 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. CAR MBS is a gathering of more than 900 auto industry, academic and government leaders who come together to address critical issues and emerging trends in a collaborative environment.

This year’s conference features Governor Rick Snyder and includes sessions on global manufacturing strategies, tooling for tomorrow’s automobiles, connected vehicles at the crossroads, surviving the skills shortage, designing for technology, and an advanced powertrain forum. Beyond the informational sessions, CAR MBS offers an unmatched opportunity to network with who’s who in the automotive industry. For more information and to register for CAR MBS, click here.

Holding on to Top Talent: Money Not the Only Motivator

The Harvard Business Review reports on analysis by the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) of factors that motivate talented staff to stay with their current employer. Surprisingly, higher salaries aren’t the only - or even most important - factor in retaining college-educated staff. Three non-financial perks were ranked as equal to or higher than compensation in building loyalty and increased commitment to the business. Read the full article here.

Employer News

Businesses fuel state comeback, not politicians

Detroit News

CNBC video: Detroit moving from Motor City to Tech City?

Detroit Free Press

Michigan tech startups could snag Ernst & Young consulting at fraction of cost through new program

MLive.com

Michigan still means manufacturing

Detroit News

Small business group hopes website will spread good news about Michigan job growth

Grand Rapids Press

Guest Commentary: Economic gardening strategy saves and grows Michigan jobs

Detroit Free Press

WE HIRE HEROES

Springs Window Fashions LLC, Grayling

Lee Ballard, Human Resources Manager for Springs Window Fashions LLC, on hiring veterans:

"The loyalty, the stamina, the productivity, the seriousness and the maturity veterans bring to our workforce has been a great benefit to us."

View video from TV 9&10 News in Traverse City on Springs Window Fashions' commitment to help and hire veterans.

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