Joshua Feinberg and Emil Sayegh discuss talent retention challenges in the data center industry, noting that many employees leave for better opportunities in adjacent sectors like SaaS and telecom.
They emphasize the importance of cross-training to address skill gaps and suggest that retention should be a primary goal over just recruitment.
Emil advocates for hiring based on attitude and training for skills, and stresses the need for employees to take the initiative in their career development.
He introduces the concept of the "magic zone," where passion, proficiency, and market demand intersect, leading to job satisfaction and performance.
Joshua highlights the need for companies to experiment with various talent strategies, particularly in technology roles, due to high demand.
This video is excerpted from the podcast Ep. #62 Emil Sayegh, Serial Tech and Data Center CEO of Profit Growth Insights | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast.
Action Items
- Explore opportunities to cross-train existing employees into higher-growth areas within the company.
- Implement a referral bonus program to incentivize employees to help recruit new talent.
- Experiment with different approaches to talent management, including focusing on retention, cross-training, and recruitment.
- Encourage employees to take the initiative to identify areas they would like to be trained in and discuss these opportunities with their managers.
Outline
Challenges in Data Center Talent Retention
- Joshua Feinberg discusses the talent leaving data center operators for adjacent industries like SaaS, managed services, and telecom, highlighting the constant complaints about talent shortages.
- Joshua questions whether data center operators are thinking creatively about retention, suggesting that cross-training employees in higher growth areas could be a solution.
- Emil Sayegh agrees, emphasizing the importance of a three-part cycle: generating leads, winning them, and retaining them, comparing it to the employee lifecycle.
- Emil stresses the importance of hiring for attitude and training for skills, and suggests that employees should take initiative in requesting training for new roles.
The Importance of Cross-Training and Initiative
- Emil explains that both employers and employees have roles in cross-training and retention. Employers need to identify opportunities and support employees.
- Emil introduces the concept of the "magic zone," a Venn diagram representing the intersection of doing something you love, being good at it, and being paid enough to sustain your lifestyle.
- Joshua adds that there are well-trodden paths in career progression, such as moving from SDR to AE or to account manager roles.
- Joshua notes that companies are experimenting with different approaches to talent management, including paying referral bonuses and focusing on technology roles due to the most significant shortages.
Resources
Watch the full podcast Ep. #62 Emil Sayegh, Serial Tech and Data Center CEO of Profit Growth Insights | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast
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