Who's got talent?

Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. As my company StudioNorth grows we strive harder and harder to "hire tough". To reach the long-term goals set by our senior leadership team we can't afford to do any less than get the best possible talent. But how can we be sure we are getting the best and brightest? Yes, our company is growing, but is that because of something else? Maybe the industry is causing it? Maybe Web 2.0? Maybe adding new disciplines like strategy to our offerings?

Well today is confirmation to me that we are on the right track with the talent we are attracting. You see today Adobe told me so. They have reached into our operation and stolen one of our Senior Interface Architects. How do we know when we have the right people? When other people want them. And not just "any other people" will do. I mean when folks like Adobe, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Google want them.

I'm mixed about the whole thing for several reasons. I come from a big company background. I know that StudioNorth is a better place to be. We have a top notch health insurance plan, a constantly growing and changing environment, a family like and giving culture, and anyone can walk in and talk to management whenever they want, including the CEO. Working at StudioNorth now is more like working for Macromedia right before they bought FutureSplash Animator. Yeah, it's the place to be.

Another reason I'm mixed is because now we have a new challenge. We are attracting and attaining great people, but now we have to figure out how to keep them. At this point in time we don't have the big money net to swing through the market so the younger less experienced folks will have a hard time not seeing the seemingly greener grass. We are maturing though, dare I even say becoming sophisticated? Holding on to them will come with time.

Finally an open note to Adobe, Microsoft and Google. I've been a staunch proponent of Flex, AIR, .NET 3.5, LINQ, SQL Server 2005, Google Apps, Google Analytics and more. StudioNorth has been key in introducing them into the enterprise of Fortune 500 and even Fortune 100 companies. Yes, each and every technology product I just mentioned and more. SO LEAVE MY PEOPLE ALONE, or else I'll take my ball and go home. ;)