Attracting, Retaining Talent Key to Driving Economy Forward

A major issue continues to be how to attract and train the necessary talent to drive forward both individual businesses and the economy as a whole. This issue is being addressed in pockets (such as some nascent, innovative programs in Michigan), but not nearly at the scope that is needed.

Among other things, it involves changes in how we view secondary education, college and vocational training, immigration, and the relationship between employers and educators. And change is both essential and urgently needed.

[Editor’s note: To tap the wisdom of our distinguished group of Xconomists, we asked a few of them to answer this question heading into 2015: “What’s the most important issue in business or technology that did not get addressed in 2014?” You can see more questions and answers here.]

Author: Chris Rizik

Chris Rizik is the Chief Executive Officer and Fund Manager of the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund, a venture capital fund of funds formed by a consortium of several of Michigan’s largest organizations. Chris is also a co-founder, partner, and Board chair of nanotechnology holding company Ardesta, LLC, and was a Managing Director of Avalon Technology fund, then Michigan’s largest venture capital fund and the recipient of four consecutive “Deal of the Year” awards by the Michigan Venture Capital Association. Prior to joining Avalon, Chris was a senior partner with Dickinson Wright PLLC, one of the Midwest’s oldest law firms. He also passed the Certified Public Accounting examination and worked at PriceWaterhouse Coopers. Chris is also the founder of SoulTracks.com, America’s most popular soul music online magazine. Chris currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Advisory Board of the Detroit Medical Center. He is a member of the board and past Chairman of NextEnergy, the State of Michigan’s advanced energy economic development organization and accelerator, and serves on the boards of the innovative First Step Fund, the Michigan Venture Capital Association, TechTown, Leadership Detroit, U of D Jesuit High School and several venture capital funds. In early 2010, Chris was named by Crain's Detroit Business magazine as one of its "Newsmakers of the Year" for his leadership role in the advancement of venture capital and entrepreneurship in Michigan.