Page 20 - LRCC June 2021 Focus

HELP WANTED: GREATER LANSING

BATTLES THE TALENT GAP

work across multiple industry sectors. Employers are still trying to sort out being able to work remotely can address what they
how much of their operations can and should be handled by remote workers. are looking for culturally in the workplace.”

“I think it is going to be a long experiment,” said Farrell. “Nobody knows An emphasis on working remotely could also
what the right answer is. It’s a complex situation that leaders of organizations become a recruiting advantage for the region
are evaluating intently right now. I think we’re all trying to strike the right as it bids against the rest of the country for
balance of optimizing our ability to attract and retain talent while keeping outstanding talent. After the recent State of the
company culture and performance strong. While there’s a range of options, Region Report pointed to the need for Greater
I think most companies are looking at some form of a hybrid onsite/remote Lansing to grow its population and also grow
model for the future.” the size of its private sector, Bob Trezise, CEO
of LEAP said that a regional strategy of actively
“With nearly every search we do the question comes up whether the position recruiting remote workers could be a competitive
allows for the flexibility of working from home at least part of the time,” said advantage. Lansing’s advantage of affordability Trezise
Surline. “People who have done it during the pandemic have modified their work and minimal traffic hassles combined with the
habits and although there are some that don’t like it we see the majority liking it.” ability to work remotely could be a difference maker.

“We were starting to see the trend of remote work in many sectors pre-COVID, “That plus our big-city entertainment options could be more and more
particularly in IT,” said Rosingana. “Different sectors are now looking at this and attractive to remote workers,” said Trezise. “People can work for a company
asking how to make this viable, and are continuing to explore remote work as an in Silicon Valley or Austin, Texas and do it while living in Greater Lansing.
option for talent going forward. Job seekers, particularly the younger generation Remote workers are going to be a big part of our economic development
are looking for that flexibility. They place a high value on work life balance and package.”

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