By Jim Russell
Pittsburgh needs a comprehensive human capital strategy. Part of the talent management scheme should include a formal relationship with the Burgh Diaspora. There are two types of diaspora networking: Brain circulation and long distance relationships. Pittsburgh could choose to follow both courses of action, but that would depend on the motivations of the expatriates. Consider the differences between the Irish and Scottish Diasporas:
Scots left in numbers that match the Irish. The writer Jim Hunter talks of walking our west coast and passing through glens where the best is now in the past. The misery is at the heart of the songs. But when the keening ends, our eyes turn towards the horizon and it quickly becomes apparent that those who left aren't gazing back with the same love. On Tuesday, one of the questions will be: Why can't our diaspora be more like Ireland's?
Ireland has enjoyed great success in attracting boomerang migrants. On the other hand, Scotland doesn't harbor much hope in replicating the Irish return. Globalscot is the result of this sober assessment. Through this organization, successful Scots living abroad can help aspiring entrepreneurs in the homeland.
Pittsburgh has a healthy mix of Irish and Scottish attitudes, but I think long distance networking is the better approach. Local universities such as CMU and Pitt do a great job of cycling talent through the region. Currently, Pittsburgh's innovation economy can't absorb most of these valuable graduates. Since the dysfunctional H-1B visa program will force many future entrepreneurs to leave the United States, Pittsburgh must look to its Diaspora for start-up know-how and financing. My hope is that IntoPittsburgh will lead the way in forming the region's own version of Globalscot.
Comments