Q&A with YPC’s new president
SUZANNE BEHNKE Aug 17, 2018 | 3:26 pm
2 min read time
516 wordsArts and Culture, Economic Development, The Insider NotebookThe Young Professional Connection had a leadership change in recent months, with Ryan Bruner become president and Abby Rodewald now the past president. We wanted to get to know a little about Bruner and what is going on with the young professional community in Des Moines. You can read Bruner’s Q&A here as well as advice for young professionals in today’s issue of the weekly Business Record. Here’s the Q&A Bruner and I had by email (how YP is that?). He can be reached at president@ypcdsm.com.
What are some of the key things business leaders need to know about Greater Des Moines’ young professional community?
The young professional community in Greater Des Moines is not only growing but it is diversifying. Des Moines is among the fastest-growing major cities in the Midwest, and the demographic leading that growth is 25-39-year-olds. As I attend events around the region, it has been eye-opening to see the different industries that now flourish. Young professionals are not just working in the finance and insurance fields, they’re engaging in successful careers in tech startups, marketing, trade careers and many other fields. The multiple co-working locations in Des Moines also allow YPs to work as remote employees for companies across the country. Young people are choosing place first, job second. Continuing to invest in placemaking initiatives will ensure Des Moines’ population and economic growth continue.
What can or should businesses or organizations do to retain younger workers?
In my experience, YPs switch jobs if they can’t see a future and aren’t shown how their efforts contribute to the company mission or live their life on their terms. Meeting this requirement will take a long-term strategic plan from businesses to retain YPs. I recognize businesses are already working hard to retain YPs in our region, and I believe the topics below are great places to focus future efforts.
- Mentorship programs — Any organization that can foster relationships between YPs and experienced leaders will not only bolster a YP’s performance but will build a lasting connection between that YP and their organization.
- Volunteer time off — YPs need to know that the business they work for is not only invested in them, but the community in which they live. Not only does a day spending time with co-workers provide a great team-building activity, but it can connect people to other passions that can bring happiness to their lives. I believe someone fulfilled outside the workplace will perform better in the workplace.
- Flexible work schedules — YPs value the ability to make decisions about when they work, but also how they work. The business hours of tomorrow will be much different than business hours of today, and offering YPs a chance to build work into their lives instead of the other way around is great way to build loyalty. Traditional companies will have to adapt to the gig/freelance workforce trend that is growing in the U.S., and YPs want the ability to not feel tied to a desk or schedule when it comes to work.
Read more about YPC’s membership model, Bruner’s priorities and more here.
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