{"id":9381,"date":"2019-07-19T15:33:33","date_gmt":"2019-07-19T19:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.brainstation.io\/?p=9381"},"modified":"2019-07-19T15:33:33","modified_gmt":"2019-07-19T19:33:33","slug":"how-to-attract-top-tech-talent-when-youre-in-a-smaller-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/how-to-attract-top-tech-talent-when-youre-in-a-smaller-city","title":{"rendered":"How to Attract Top Tech Talent When You’re in a Smaller City"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re a company in Silicon Valley, it\u2019s not hard to pull in top tech talent \u2014 it\u2019s the hotbed of emerging startups and established tech giants, after all, be it Apple or Google, Amazon or Facebook.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also been a ripple effect over the last decade with large, global cities experiencing tech booms of their own and the creation of mini-Silicon Valleys, everywhere from New York<\/a> to Toronto<\/a> to Los Angeles.<\/span><\/p>\n

But how can companies attract the best people when they\u2019re based in smaller cities?<\/span><\/p>\n

Marshall Ring, CEO of the Manitoba Technology Accelerator, offered his advice to BrainStation based on what\u2019s worked in Winnipeg, Manitoba \u2014 a Canadian city with a population of just 750,000 people that\u2019s experiencing a tech industry boom.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2018, employment in Winnipeg’s tech sector grew by almost 40 per cent,<\/span> according to CBC News<\/span><\/a>. That\u2019s faster than most of the major Canadian tech hubs, including Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montreal, reveals a report by national real estate firm CBRE called<\/span> Scoring Canadian Tech Talent<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSkip The Dishes was the company that really helped drive the tech growth we’re seeing here in Winnipeg,\u201d Ring says, of the Canadian food delivery and takeout startup. \u201cInvestors were able to invest here in Winnipeg and see good returns\u2026 that led to attracting and retaining top talent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ensuring other companies can tap into those vibes and hire the best staff means implementing a few initiatives within each workplace, Ring adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start local with your hiring<\/b><\/h2>\n

Smaller cities aren\u2019t going to have the same magnetic pull as bigger, world-famous markets, but Ring says that\u2019s not an obstacle \u2014 companies just have to tap into their local workforce first, and grow from there.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s all about developing a staggered recruitment strategy, he explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Winnipeg, companies first began attracting born-and-raised community members. Then they started reaching out to former residents who\u2019d left and moved on to jobs elsewhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next they began recruiting regional residents \u2014 people from nearby provinces \u2014 who\u2019d also moved away.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We started working in these kinds of concentric circles,\u201d says Ring.<\/span><\/p>\n

By doing so, the city was able to create a solid workforce with enough clout and growth to become more and more appealing to workers from well beyond its borders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Offer a welcoming climate, big opportunities\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Recruiting talent is one thing, but securing and retaining people is another.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ring says it\u2019s absolutely crucial for companies in smaller cities to offer new hires the chance to work on world-class projects from the get-go. It creates a welcoming climate, he explains, and makes people feel like the job is worth investing in by giving them opportunities to quickly expand their skillset and career.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Give them great projects, and empower them to build on it,\u201d he says. \u201cWe don’t see a lot of people who are just here for a paycheck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Coupled with ongoing career development opportunities, developing a positive workplace vibe is key. It\u2019s a reality Silicon Valley staples have mastered \u2014 like the well-known office perks at Google, from free meals to guest speakers to an on-site gym.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not every smaller-town startup has the cash to go big, but there\u2019s no harm developing lower-cost team building and mentorship initiatives to offer employees more than just a day job.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMake people feel involved and appreciated,\u201d says Ring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lobby your local government<\/b><\/h2>\n

Companies in smaller cities hoping to build a tech scene and attract top talent should also turn to their elected officials to add fuel to the fire, according to Ring.<\/span><\/p>\n

He recommends companies develop outreach strategies to build relationships with community leaders and the local government who want to see the industry thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Civic leaders can talk up the tech industry, offer publicity, and help create a climate that\u2019s favourable to incoming workers \u2014 since the character of a city is often just as important to people taking a job as the company itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It also matters \u201cjust knowing you’ve got goodwill and engagement, people cheering for you,\u201d says Ring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How can companies attract tech talent when they\u2019re based in smaller cities? Here we round up the top tips for drawing talent to a smaller city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9384,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[533,336],"tags":[548,276,634,89],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Attract Top Tech Talent When You're in a Smaller City | BrainStation\u00ae Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How can companies attract tech talent when they\u2019re based in smaller cities? 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