In August I hosted my first ever elevate:dev event at the Town House in Detroit. I invited Damien Rocchi, CEO and Founder of Grand Circus, to lead a conversation on talent. My takeaway was as much about understanding ways to solve the talent gap, particularly in IT, as much as it was to learn about disrupting the market place as a service provider. Are we challenging ourselves to become better? Are we challenging our own service providers to become better?
A little background:
Grand Circus is a modern tech training academy located in downtown Detroit. Damien, at its helm, has kept it from falling into the run of the mill training academy through several approaches to education.
- Bootcamps – not only are students participating in an intensive learning process but they are also introduced to corporate partners. The result is 92% of graduates having full-time employment within 90 days of graduation.
- Workshops – available throughout the region, Grand Circus raises awareness, builds enthusiasm, and develops its own talent pipeline through free workshops.
- Co-working – by opening its facility to startups, the energy at Grand Circus flourishes by engaging with entrepreneurs tackling some of societies greatest problems through innovation.
How does that compare to what may of us know as Powerpoint-driven learning sessions hosted with classroom style seating? Exactly.
The conversation caused me to think “why not?” when it comes to getting something done differently. Damien could have replicated an existing learning model and it would have been fine for a while, but he wouldn’t have differentiated himself in the market place the way he has. As business, economic development, and community leaders, we need to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace. Yes, obviously for business reasons, but ultimately we make a significant impact on the communities we live in, work in, and build, better.
Make a personal phone call instead of sending a template email. Send a quick hand written note. Take time to brainstorm an idea with people outside your normal business sector. Allow those around you to provide ideas, you never know where the next great leader, idea, or innovation will come from.