The global war for talent - how can Sweden compete?

The moderator for the evening was Beth Topolovsky, Managing Partner of Stinson Partners, a company that looks at how talent is nurtured and developed in Silicon Valley and puts this knowledge to use re-stimulating Swedish companies.

 
Moderator Beth Topolovsky, Stinson & Partners together with the panel

The different backgrounds and extensive experience of the three speakers meant that each gave a different slant on the evening’s topic.

Pontus Braunerhjelm of the Swedish Government’s Globalization Council has been involved in issues of entrepreneurialism and globalization for a number of years. His presentation looked at broad global trends as societies become industrialized, develop and gradually reach a stage where knowledge becomes a key advantage. While Sweden holds a respectable position as a knowledge nation, other countries are climbing the ladder and Sweden must adapt to maintain its advantage. Braunerhjelm discussed various measures that could be needed, from changes in taxation, retirement and educational policies to incentives to attract talented people to move here.

Diego Sanchez de Leon, originally from Madrid, has worked extensively in the field of human resources for international companies, governments and other organizations. He is currently a senior executive at Accenture, specializing in talent and organizational performance. Sanchez de Leon began by detailing his own definition of talent, bringing together a number of practical and theoretical parameters. He explained that most new jobs are knowledge-intensive – a factor than favors Sweden – and listed knowledge-based industries offering good prospects. He stressed the importance of continuing to develop tertiary education and of persistently re-skilling industry.



Per Frisk, CEO of Novare Executive Search, specializes in recruitment to senior management positions. He has a background in human resources management and organizational issues. Per outlined a study that examined 30 countries’ ability to develop talent. Here too, Sweden earned a respectable fifth place, but rapidly advancing economies in Asia, for example, pose a threat because they offer new opportunities. Young talented people today often have different views on what constitutes “opportunity” – and aspects other than simply money and status are important.

The individual presentations were followed by a lively discussion and questions put from the audience. And the discussions didn’t stop there. In typical AmCham fashion, many participants stayed on for some time enjoying wine and cheese after the formal event.




Written exclusively for AmCham by Bryan Mosey, Battison & Partners
Photo: Rob Nelson

 In pdf:
- Pontus Braunerhjelm's presentation
- Diego Sánchez de León's presentation
- Per Frisk's presentation

Read the report in Swedish from the Globalization Council (Globaliseringsrådet):
"Utvecklingskraft och omställningsförmåga. En globaliserad svensk ekonomi"
Pdf version of the report here.