RFID Workforce by Metropolitan Regions

Filed in archive RFID Employment on May 2, 2006

Last week I wrote about the new RFID workforce survey issued by the group, RFID Tribe.

I've got another interesting tidbit for you from that same report. The following chart shows the key metropolitan regions for RFID talent:




Here is a quote from the report:

"Many metro areas have emerged as RFID technology centers. There are several factors that influence a metro area's propensity to become a RFID technology center -- an educated workforce, warehousing and distribution infrastructure, local government technology initiatives and local entrepreneurs."

I'm not sure this chart gives a completely global picture of the RFID workforce concentration, but it is very illuminating as far as it goes.

This is an excellent chart for purposes of recruiting new employees.

It is also important for purposes of companies making site location decisions.

From my days in the corporate world, two things tended to be true: (1) it was cheaper if you could hire local talent, and (2) the hiring process went much faster if you hired locally.

You are at a much better competitive advantage if you have sufficient talent in the local community to hire from, than if you have to regularly go outside.

Just think of the hiring process. You have to fly in candidates for interviews -- this can add months to a recruitment process. Sure, there are video interviews for initial screens, but eventually you get to a point where you want final candidates to visit in person -- that adds extra time and expense, don't let anyone kid you.

Then once new hires are on board, you have to deal with their relocation issues. It's a distraction for at least 2 months when people relocate. Their full attention is not on the job. Instead, their attention is on figuring out where to find a dry cleaner or a convenient grocery store, or buying a house or getting the kids enrolled in new daycare and new schools -- and the myriad other things we do to keep body and soul together. On top of that, you can sometimes end up indirectly having to help their spouses find new employment -- one way or another.

Just as important is the long term success potential. Your hires have a tendency to "stick" longer if the local community offers people who work in the same line of work. New hires are more likely to view the community as a vibrant place to stay long term -- not a place to flee from as soon as something better opens up in a place they perceive to be more happenin'.

Just a little editorial from me as to why these reports of metropolitan areas are important for companies.

Many thanks to Mark Johnson, who runs RFID Tribe, was kind enough to provide this short extract of the report for the benefit of readers of the RFID Weblog. Thank you Mark!

Read more about the 50-page report: "The RFID Workforce -- The Fast and the Furious."