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For cities it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to attract game changing talent away from coastal hubs.
An unlikely playbook on how to win this talent race: college football and Miami's @FrancisSuarez.
For cities it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to attract game changing talent away from coastal hubs.
An unlikely playbook on how to win this talent race: college football and Miami's @FrancisSuarez.
2/ Why is talent recruitment like college football?
Let's set the stage.
In high school there are over 1,000,000 players each season.
In NCAA Division I Football there are 130 teams. Each year these programs can bring in about 25 new players.
Let's set the stage.
In high school there are over 1,000,000 players each season.
In NCAA Division I Football there are 130 teams. Each year these programs can bring in about 25 new players.
3/ The most elite high school players are called "blue chip" recruits.
Out of the 1,000,000 high school players, just 350 or so are "blue chips."
For a college team, the more blue chips you have the more likely you'll win a championship.
Out of the 1,000,000 high school players, just 350 or so are "blue chips."
For a college team, the more blue chips you have the more likely you'll win a championship.
4/ Landing top recruits is vital to the success of a college team.
Schools spend massive amounts of time, energy, and money on their efforts.
And the best recruiters just so happen to be the best performing coaches.
A classic chicken or the egg situation.
Schools spend massive amounts of time, energy, and money on their efforts.
And the best recruiters just so happen to be the best performing coaches.
A classic chicken or the egg situation.
5/ Maybe the best college football coach ever is Nick Saban. And he's a damn good recruiter.
In the past 10 years, his @AlabamaFTBL team has had the top recruiting class eight times.
They've won the national championship four times in that same span.
In the past 10 years, his @AlabamaFTBL team has had the top recruiting class eight times.
They've won the national championship four times in that same span.
6/ When Saban was hired at Alabama he asked his new boss if he thought he hired the best coach in the country.
“Of course I do,” the boss said.
“Well, you didn’t — I’m nothing without my players. But you did just hire a helluva recruiter.” https://www.si.com/college/2015/09/10/how-alabamas-nick-saban-so-successful-recruiting-trail
“Of course I do,” the boss said.
“Well, you didn’t — I’m nothing without my players. But you did just hire a helluva recruiter.” https://www.si.com/college/2015/09/10/how-alabamas-nick-saban-so-successful-recruiting-trail
7/ So how do top college teams get the best players?
And what lessons can cities learn to attract companies and an elite workforce?
Here's a few
And what lessons can cities learn to attract companies and an elite workforce?
Here's a few
8/ Lesson No. 1: Don't let elite players escape.
Top college teams are great at keeping local prospects "in-state."
For cities, start with keeping people home. Next, consider former residents who are living elsewhere.
Players want to win with family in the stands.
Top college teams are great at keeping local prospects "in-state."
For cities, start with keeping people home. Next, consider former residents who are living elsewhere.
Players want to win with family in the stands.
9/ Lesson No. 2: It's a total team effort.
It's not just coaches who recruit. University presidents, professors, and famous friends all help.
Here's @KingJames at an @OhioStateFB game.
For cities, enlist successful entrepreneurs and restaurateurs to tell your story.
It's not just coaches who recruit. University presidents, professors, and famous friends all help.
Here's @KingJames at an @OhioStateFB game.
For cities, enlist successful entrepreneurs and restaurateurs to tell your story.
10/ Lesson No. 3: Show how you make players better.
College teams love highlighting their players' successes.
Number of alums in the NFL. How much $$$ their pro contracts are worth. Their successful business careers.
Show how you make your people better.
College teams love highlighting their players' successes.
Number of alums in the NFL. How much $$$ their pro contracts are worth. Their successful business careers.
Show how you make your people better.
11/ Lesson No. 4: Invest in success.
College football has become an arms race. Top schools spend money to make their program better.
And football success can improve academics too. The entire ecosystem gets better. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanriper/2013/05/13/the-magic-of-nick-saban-everyone-wants-to-go-to-alabama/?sh=371af0f6393a
College football has become an arms race. Top schools spend money to make their program better.
And football success can improve academics too. The entire ecosystem gets better. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanriper/2013/05/13/the-magic-of-nick-saban-everyone-wants-to-go-to-alabama/?sh=371af0f6393a
12/ An example of a successful come-to-my city campaign?
Miami's mayor, @FrancisSuarez. The Mayor has made national news with his Miami recruiting efforts this month.
And it all started by responding to a single tweet from @zebulgar. https://twitter.com/FrancisSuarez/status/1335037068108554241?s=20
Miami's mayor, @FrancisSuarez. The Mayor has made national news with his Miami recruiting efforts this month.
And it all started by responding to a single tweet from @zebulgar. https://twitter.com/FrancisSuarez/status/1335037068108554241?s=20
13/ In less than a month, this tweet has made Miami the hottest place in tech.
And taking a page from college football, @FrancisSuarez has been hosting "prospects" on "official visits".
Check out this one with @APompliano and @polina_marinova. https://twitter.com/APompliano/status/1340080978618925056
And taking a page from college football, @FrancisSuarez has been hosting "prospects" on "official visits".
Check out this one with @APompliano and @polina_marinova. https://twitter.com/APompliano/status/1340080978618925056
14/ These conversations have also led to policy proposals like #Miami500 from @shervin.
This idea would bring new tech companies to Miami and who'd commit to hiring local employees. https://twitter.com/shervin/status/1341511028165799938
This idea would bring new tech companies to Miami and who'd commit to hiring local employees. https://twitter.com/shervin/status/1341511028165799938
15/ And the beauty of this recruitment campaign by @FrancisSuarez?
It's organic, viral, and made possible only on Twitter. The platform of choice for tech and entrepreneurs.
It didn't cost millions of dollars. All it took was a Mayor who seized an opportunity and ran with it.
It's organic, viral, and made possible only on Twitter. The platform of choice for tech and entrepreneurs.
It didn't cost millions of dollars. All it took was a Mayor who seized an opportunity and ran with it.
