It gives me immense pleasure to write this email on the first day of 2023.  Reading about the various research and interviews from HR leaders and practitioners, it is very clear 2023 will be a year that focuses on Performance, Productivity, and as a result, Profitability.  But I would like to add one more metric into the mix, which is the art of possibility, with the advent of something like ChatGPT (albeit in nascent stages, the possibility of using The Next talent in digital technologies is immense).

Possibility1:  The effective use of The Next Talent in Digital Technologies

Examples of Next Talent could be the two-year community college degree holders in the US and the Polytechnic diploma holders in India.  Further education (FE) colleges in the UK, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions in Australia, and Community Colleges in the US offer a wide range of programs that enable young people and adults to develop and realize their aspirations.  In doing so, they are rightly recognized for their critical role in fostering social mobility.  Far less acknowledged is the importance of these place-based institutions for promoting inclusive social and economic growth that meets the needs of students, communities, businesses, and industries.  (cited from the paper written by Lynne Rogers IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, UCL, UK)

We believe Chat GPT can reinvigorate this population, and businesses can optimize spending by tapping into this talent.  Yes, there will be a lot of work on supply and demand, but we are a step closer.  Here is an example that got me excited about ChatGPT.  I typed a simple command “What is the Python code for analyzing engagement surveys in ChatGPT).  This is the response I got.  It clearly gives code for libraries to use, loads the files and suggests analysis measures.

Possibility2:  Use of alternate talent (Retirees, Women in Break)

We conducted a study on various platforms that are available across the globe.  We are quite encouraged by the emerging opportunities for tapping talent across the categories of women on break and retirees.  Here is a snapshot.  We are working diligently to uncover further insights and will share them with you soon.  Stay tuned!

Possibility3:  Some Location Possibilities for you to consider

• The Neom region in Saudi Arabia is an experiment in sustainability and a means to diversify the local economy away from oil funds.  The latest in the plans for the development, the Oxagon port and logistics hub, is an octagonal port that will split the development between land and sea.
• Calgary is fast emerging in Canada.  Certainly small compared to other hubs in Canada but has a good software development talent (about 3000).  If your growth velocity is not going to be high and you have time on your side to scale slowly, this is a good location to consider
• IBM has opened a 38-member software team in Novi Sad, Serbia.  The Balkan countries offer small center possibilities (especially with newer technologies potentially requiring smaller headcounts)
• Egypt’s tech ecosystem is continuing to make strides in digital.  Very recently, Fawry, the country’s largest fintech company, opened a cutting-edge training and headquarters location
• As stated in the previous example, we are receiving significant research study requests for Mexico.  Two locations we often study are Mexico City and Guadalajara.  But the Queretaro Area is also evolving fast
• Israel continues to be the top choice for Cybersecurity work. 
• Dubai has long wanted to be a hub for tech talent workers, a dream it has not yet fully achieved.  But ten days ago, Airbnb, an operator of an online marketplace focused on short-term homestays, launched the Dubai remote working hub, a one-stop-shop for aspiring remote workers in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).  Anyone looking to live and work in Dubai can now use the hub to find inspiration for local long-term listings and helpful information on entry requirements and visa policies
• We are seeing several reskilling and upskilling initiatives like Dream Space by Microsoft in Northern Ireland.  This is an encouraging opportunity for Northern Ireland
• India offers several smaller hub options.  Three years ago, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and NCR regions used to be the dominant innovation centers.  The country has done well to spread the quality of work across smaller cities.