I recently asked a transplant from Texas who works with growing companies that are in search of more talent what is the biggest difference between employers in the Lone Star State and Northeast Ohio. He gave me a very sobering one word answer: "Hope."
Employers everywhere are desperate for workers that are trainable and motivated. In Texas, companies are convinced that they will be able to do what is necessary to find the workers. And that, eventually, things will get better and the business will grow. In Northeast Ohio, the transplant observed, employers are frustrated by their difficulties in finding and attracting workers. So frustrated that they no longer have hope. Although the transplant sees nothing but great things in our future, many of the employers he is working with no longer have faith that things will get better.
I found this assessment distressing, but not too surprising. As a transplant to the region (17 years ago), I am very familiar with the lament of locals that things are getting worse and will only get worse. I don't share that view and wouldn't stay here if I did.
The Texas transplant challenged me, as a teller of stories about how Northeast Ohio is building a brighter future, to reinvent the narrative that is Northeast Ohio's story. This new Northeast Ohio story needs to be rust free. It needs to be a story that gives people hope for a brighter future.
So, I turn to you for a few suggestions. Give me three things that give you hope for the year ahead and future of Northeast Ohio.
Post your ideas by commenting to this post or send me an e-mail, and I'll compile them and create a master list and add to it over time. And we can all use the list to start telling our own stories that provide hope for our region's future.
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What strategy should the region pursue to increase job growth through entrepreneurship?
What change would you most like to see in your local government?
Levies and Government Change
Defining a Study Commission