How to Build a Thriving Tech Ecosystem - Kathy Henrich, CEO of the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition

Dec 5, 2023

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Don't underestimate Milwaukee - a thriving city with not only a rich history, but a bright future with opportunities to live, work and play.

Kathy Henrich is CEO of the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition, a nonprofit on a mission to grow the region's tech ecosystem while creating life-altering opportunities for tech talent. We dive deep into Milwaukee's unique tech landscape (and the blending of traditional industry with high-tech), the status of our tech talent pool, and the impact of artificial intelligence on business and work.

This is an insight-packed episode that can help organizations in similar regions across the U.S. strengthen their own technology ecosystem.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

Our approach to the tech talent gap needs to change: Tech occupations are up 30% in the last 10 years, with no sign of slowing down. Every year there are 100,000 new tech jobs nationwide, with only 90,000 graduates for those roles (with others leaving the workforce). On top of that, every sector is now tech-based. Tech can't just rely on traditional higher education for its talent pipeline. Instead, we must embrace other methods, like apprenticeships, skills-based training, hiring workers from non-traditional places.
People are looking for these 3 things in a company. If you want to hire great tech talent, make sure you: 1) Show people how they can have a great career at your company, with opportunities for mobility both laterally and vertically, 2) Help people solve problems that matter to the world (give them purpose in their work), 3) Let them work on advanced technologies / show them their career will be cutting-edge.
Leading companies are implementing artificial intelligence in 3 areas: 1) AI in their processes (on the business side and manufacturing systems), 2) AI embedded in products (do you have products to which you can add AI to make a better customer experience?), 3) AI in gaining customer insights and enhancing customer service.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition, visit their website: https://www.mketech.org/

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Book: All-in On AI: How Smart Companies Win Big with Artificial Intelligence by Thomas H. Davenport and Nitin Mittal
AI Data Specialist degree at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC)
Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute
AI programs at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

Connect with the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition online:
LinkedIn | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn

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