The first Meet and Match, in October 2024, was very busy.
Considering the area's continuing talent shortage, it seems foolish to lose these highly-skilled and smart ex-Northvolters. In a sense, the most challenging part of recruitment—attracting talent to the region—has already been accomplished.
Furthermore, there are huge benefits in employing newcomer talent. Several studies highlight how companies with diverse workforces enjoy higher profitability and more effective problem-solving than those who don't. It's really that simple.
But some employers are still concerned about how these newcomers will fit into their organisation, both linguistically and culturally. We understand that some feel a little discomfort but here are three concrete, actionable steps to take to ensure your organization benefits from this rich pool of talent.
- Employers should focus on language and cultural fit during the initial onboarding process, rather than demanding that newcomers have instant Swedish fluency. Hire a corporate language teacher for foreign employees and give them a deadline to become fluent, if fluency is essential. Most of them already have at least two languages - adding Swedish shouldn't take them too long.
- Then, get a work visa specialist to give you a quote and expectations of how long the application process takes.
- Finally, hire a specialist to give workshops and training to your new AND existing staff for cultural integration. Don't put all the acclimatization emphasis on the new hire(s). This should be a joint effort.
Diverse workforces tend to generate more revenue than homogenous ones.
So, what's in it for Skellefteå companies and organizations? As we've mentioned, higher revenues and better decision-making.
Research from organizations such as McKinsey & Company and the Boston Consulting Group, including studies in Nordic countries, has shown that diverse teams often exhibit greater innovation and higher financial returns.
Additionally, a study by Harvard Business Review highlighted that diverse organizations make better decisions up to 87 per cent of the time, particularly in complex problem-solving situations, where varied perspectives offer critical insights.
It's a win-win situation. Help these incredibly bright, skillful people stay in Skellefteå and improve your business.