Remote Workforces Key to Dallas Business Growth

By: Lane Sorgen, General Manager, South Central District, Microsoft Corp.  

If you’re anything like me, you’ve walked into White Rock Coffee or another local coffee shop on a weekday morning and been surprised by the number of businessmen and women occupying tables, sipping caffeinated concoctions, and working on laptops, tablets and cell phones.

These “mini offices,” adorned with well-dressed workers, are representative of a shift in the workplace. They’re leaving behind the corner office in favor of the quiet corner of a coffee shop or their favorite chair at home. A recent survey by the Flex+Strategy Group found that nearly one-third of full-time employees do most of their work outside of a traditional office setting.

This is a sharp contrast to the workplaces of the past where staffers gathered around the communal coffee pot and were contained in cubicles. Understandably, some business leaders are skeptical of this transition in the work environment and are hesitant to implement remote work policies. They cite everything from reduced productivity to increased costs as potential reasons to resist. The truth is, if your company has yet to offer telework opportunities, you’re already at a competitive disadvantage.

Today’s workers, especially millennials, are looking for more flexibility in how, where and when they work. Study after study shows the telework trend isn’t going anywhere. Employers must become more, not less, flexible in order to thrive as workers continuously seek out the elusive work/life balance.

Infographic of the Week: Higher Education

By: Ryan Tharp, Director of Research & Economic Development

In order to be successful in the workforce, it’s important to have the skills and education to meet the changing industry needs. North Texas offers more than 30 higher education options; including public and private universities, community colleges, and trade schools.

The State Legislature selected eight institutions to expand current research programs striving to achieve the distinguished “Tier One” research institution title. Three of the eight are housed in North Texas. “Tier One” institutions are nationally recognized for the highest levels of innovations and academic excellence. The North Texas institutions selected include the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Dallas, and the University of Texas at Arlington. 

The DRC Celebrates another Successful State of Technology Luncheon & Innovation Showcase

Posted by: Erica Flores, Industry Clusters & Economic Development

Roundtable

On Friday, December 2nd, the Dallas Regional Chamber and the Innovation & Technology Council hosted its 11^th Annual State of Technology Luncheon & Innovation Showcase at the Irving Convention Center, featuring keynote speaker Paul Mascarenas, Chief Technical Officer and Vice President of Ford Research & Innovation at Ford Motor Company.

Prior to the luncheon, Mascarenas hosted a private roundtable discussion with member CIO, CTO’s and VIP’s for a peer-to-peer discussion about the role of innovation in their industries and how to better leverage new technology to advance their organizations.

Calling All Member CIO’s and CTO’s: We Want You!

Erica Flores, Industry Clusters & Economic Development

On December 2^nd, Ford Research & Innovation’s  Chief Technical Officer and VP, Paul Mascarenas will host a private members-only CIO Roundtable to discuss how Ford keeps pace with consumer technology as well as Ford’s research initiatives including: the cloud connected car, in-car health and wellness technologies and car-to-car communications.

The Dallas Regional Chamber invites all member-company Chief Information and Chief Technical Officers to participate in this exclusive event, being held in conjunction with our 11^th Annual State of Technology Luncheon & Innovation Showcase on December 2^nd.

Guest Blog: Telework Takes Hold in Dallas, According to Microsoft Survey

Author: Lane Sorgen, General Manager, South Central Enterprise District , Microsoft

For businesses, Dallas boasts a host of competitive advantages, including a central location, low cost of living and a skilled workforce. What’s more, it’s becoming an increasingly telework-friendly city, according to a recent survey commissioned by Microsoft. The survey assessed the attitudes and opinions of information workers across 15 major U.S. metropolitan areas and found that Dallas ranks second in terms of telework adoption.

Fifty-seven percent of Dallas information workers surveyed report that their companies provide formal remote working policies. Seventy-six percent of these respondents say their companies supply the technology needed for working remotely.

Announcing 2011 Dallas Regional Momentum Awards Recipients!

The Momentum Dallas Awards recognize companies, organizations or projects that have created positive economic momentum in the Dallas region. This premiere business event is expected to draw an audience of 600 key regional and national corporate executives, economic development partners and legislative leaders.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2011 RECIPIENTS:

Corporate Headquarters Location:
MoneyGram

Corporate Facility Location:
USAA

Job Growth:
TriQuint Semiconductor – Texas

Community Catalyst:
Perot Museum of Nature & Science and
North Oak Cliff Commercial & Neighborhood Revitalization –
(Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce)

Innovation Catalyst:
North Texas Regional Center for Innovation & Commercialization (RCIC)

Global Catalyst:
Qantas Airways LTD and
Texas Instruments – RFAB

The award recipients will be honored during a luncheon at The Fairmont Dallas on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. Citi and Holmes Murphy & Associates sponsor this year’s awards luncheon. This year’s keynote is by Nicole G. Small, CEO of the Museum of Nature & Science and Forrest E.Hoglund, Chairman, Museum of Nature & Science Expansion Capital Campaign. The Museum of Nature & Science is a 2011 Community Catalyst award recipient.

To read the full press release announcing the 2011 recipients, click here. To learn more about the Dallas Regional Momentum Awards, visit www.dallaschamber.org/events or contact Erica Flores at (214) 712-1921.

INNOVATION: Yoram Solomon, Interphase Corporation

We asked you to answer the question: “What Does Innovation Mean to You?”  Click the video below to hear from Dr. Yoram Solomon, Vice President of Corporate Strategy
and Business Development at Interphase Corporation as he defines what innovation means to him and his business. 

Tell us your definition in the comments below or click here to access our micro-site and enter for a chance to win two tickets to attend the 11^th Annual State of Technology Luncheon & Innovation Showcase.

Dallas: Game On

Posted by Erica Flores, Industry Clusters and Economic Development

When some people think of gaming or gamers, they may think of nerds secluded in a dark room with a glowing screen that is dizzyingly nauseating; but for Dallas it means big business.

A recent CBS News article highlighted the huge affect the video game industry has had on the North Texas area, putting the Dallas region in the spotlight for job creation, innovation, and a talented workforce.

Momentum Awards Call for Nominations

The Dallas Regional Chamber will accept applications for the 2011 Momentum Awards from June 20 – August 12.  The Momentum Awards celebrate companies that have made a positive impact on the economy through job growth, location and expansion activities as well as those companies and organizations contributing to the vitality of the Dallas region.  Honorees will be announced during the Chamber’s annual Momentum Awards reception on October 12 at the Fairmont Dallas.  Citi and Holmes Murphy serve as the presented sponsors.

Award categories include:

• Local Employment Growth (2)
• Corporate Location (2)
• Community Catalyst
• Innovation Catalyst
• Education Catalyst
• Global Catalyst

Companies and organizations may self-nominate or be nominated by an outside individual or entity. Membership in the Dallas Regional Chamber is not required to apply.  Applications may be downloaded from www.dallaschamber.org/Awards.

Previous recipients include: HMS, Inc, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound, PegasusAblon Properties for the Design District, The Real Estate Council for the Park, Frisco Square Development for Frisco Square, Texas Instruments, Tang Wind Energy Group, and Fossil, Inc.

For more information or to receive an application, please contact Erica Flores at (214) 712-1921, eflores@dallaschamber.org or visit the Dallas Regional Chamber website www.dallaschamber.org.

Dallas ISD – A Partnership to Succeed

The presentation of the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Statement of Principles regarding Education before the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees today marks the beginning of an initiative to significantly help move the needle on student graduation rates and college and workforce readiness.

The principles, adopted unanimously by the chamber’s full board of directors, are a key component of the recently announced 5 year strategic plan which aims to make the Dallas region the most economically prosperous region and the most desirable place to live and work in the United States. 

This is the Dallas Regional Chamber’s first public education improvement plan of this magnitude in its 101 years in existence.  We know that in order remain competitive and accomplish our mission we must have an excellent urban school district. And, we realize that the business community must work together to make an impact.    Dallas Regional Chamber executive committee member, council chair and dedicated volunteer Clint McDunnough, Managing Director of Ernst and Young presented the plan on behalf of the Chamber.

Click here to view the full Statement of Principles regarding Education
Click here to view the full Strategic Plan
Click here to view the Strategic Plan webpage