Welcome to the Show:

• Greet listeners and introduce the podcast name.


• Briefly describe the purpose of the podcast and what listeners can expect.

Hosts Introduction:

• Anthony and Tanner, two IT executives with a combined 35 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity.


• Background on their roles and the companies they lead.


• Brief mention of past episodes to give new listeners context.

Episode Overview:

• Introduction to today’s topic: Finding, Hiring, and Retaining Technology Employees.


• Importance of the topic in the current IT landscape.

Anthony’s Update:

• Recap of the conference attended.


• Key takeaways and interesting trends observed.


• Details on the new SCADA system being prepared for implementation.


• Challenges and excitement related to the new system.

Tanner’s Update:

• Current issues being tackled in the company.


• Specifics about the online ads issue and its impact on the business.


• Steps taken to mitigate the problem.


• Broader discussion on the state of online ads and cybersecurity concerns.

• Overview of the main topic: The critical aspects of finding, hiring, and retaining technology employees.


• Why this topic is particularly relevant now.


• Personal experiences and why this topic matters to Anthony and Tanner.

Attracting Talent in SMBs:

• The difficulty small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face compared to larger corporations.


• Discussion on limited resources and lesser-known brand recognition.

Location-Based Challenges:

• How geographical location affects the talent pool.


• Case examples from Anthony and Tanner’s experiences.

Remote Job Market Competition:

• The rise of remote work and its impact on local hiring.


• Specific roles (e.g., data analysts, developers) that are particularly affected.

Salary Disparities:

• Comparison of pay scales between SMBs and large enterprises.


• Strategies to offer competitive compensation packages.

Close-Knit Work Environment:

• Describing the family-like atmosphere in smaller organizations.


• Personal anecdotes from Anthony and Tanner.

Direct Interaction with Leadership:

• Opportunities for employees to interact with top executives.


• The benefits of having a direct line to decision-makers.

Impact and Recognition:

• How individual contributions are more visible in smaller settings.


• Examples of significant projects led by team members.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance:

• Offering flexible schedules and remote work options.


• Balancing personal interests and professional responsibilities.

Highlighting Advantages in Job Postings:

• Crafting compelling job descriptions that attract top talent.


• Emphasizing unique benefits and company culture.

Promoting Company Culture and Values:

• The importance of a strong organizational culture.


• Ways to communicate this during the hiring process.

Competitive Salary and Benefits Packages:

• Offering market-competitive salaries.


• Additional benefits that make a difference (e.g., healthcare, retirement plans).

Community Involvement and Reputation:

• How being active in the community can enhance your company’s attractiveness.


• Success stories from Anthony and Tanner’s companies.

Work-Life Balance:

• Policies that support employees’ personal lives.


• Encouraging hobbies and outside interests.

Team-Building Activities:

• Organizing regular team outings and events.


• The role of informal gatherings in building team cohesion.

Autonomy and Leadership Opportunities:

• Allowing employees to lead projects.


• Offering professional development and career growth opportunities.

Flexible Work Arrangements:

• Implementing hybrid work models.


• Adapting to individual needs for remote work.

Benefits of Internships:

• How internships can serve as a talent pipeline.


• Providing real-world experience to interns.

Challenges of Implementing Internship Programs:

• Security and training concerns.


• Ensuring meaningful projects for short-term interns.

Success Stories:

• Examples of interns who became full-time employees.


• The impact of internships on both the company and the interns.

Technical Interviews and Assessments:

• Different approaches to evaluating technical skills.


• The importance of practical assessments.

Cultural Fit and Team Dynamics:

• Assessing candidates for cultural and team fit.


• Techniques for determining alignment with company values.

Pre-Employment Tests:

• The role of cognitive and personality tests in the hiring process.


• Pros and cons of using these tests.

Balancing Long-Term and Immediate Impact:

• The value of hiring for both short-term gains and long-term stability.


• Strategies for keeping high-impact employees engaged.

Fostering a Positive Work Culture:

• Continuous efforts to maintain and improve workplace culture.


• Engaging employees in meaningful ways to ensure retention.

Continuous Improvement of Recruitment Processes:

• Regularly reviewing and refining hiring practices.


• Staying updated with industry trends and best practices.

Listener Engagement:

• Encourage listeners to share their experiences and strategies.


• Invite feedback and topic suggestions for future episodes.

Call to Action:

• Subscribe to the podcast.


• Leave reviews and share the podcast with others.


• Follow on social media platforms.

Reminder of Release Schedule:

• Biweekly episodes released every other Monday.


• Tease the topic of the next episode to keep listeners engaged.

Thank You:

• Thank listeners for their support and engagement.


• Encourage them to reach out with questions, feedback, or topic ideas.