Ep. 25: Shoe Twins Sekou & George on Gaining Talent (Part 1)

Purpose of the Center: In part 1 of this episode on our newest research Center of Excellence on the “War for Talent,” we speak with Dr. Sekou Bermiss, Filene Fellow for the Center and Assistant Professor of Management at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. The Center of Excellence for the War for Talent focuses on addressing critical challenges faced by credit unions in talent management. It aims to investigate strategies for attracting, selecting, developing, and retaining high-quality employees, acknowledging the unique role of credit unions in balancing commercial and social goals.

Importance in the Industry: Research on this topic is crucial within the credit union industry. Traditional employee recruiting levers like stock options aren't available, so the center aims to fill that motivational gap by providing rigorous research and strategies to help credit unions compete for top talent effectively.

Collaboration and Feedback: Collaboration between academia and industry is vital. The center aims to hold events involving academics and industry professionals to discuss, share, and fine-tune research ideas, ensuring the research remains practical and beneficial for credit unions.

Focus and Impact: The focus of the center's research will be on providing verifiable, practical solutions. By applying scientific rigor to talent management strategies, it aims to offer insights and methodologies that credit unions can use effectively, aiming for a tangible impact in the industry's growth and development.