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"Atlanta Hawks' Strategy for Acquiring Tomorrow's Star Players"

NBA's Atlanta Hawks have intricate business requirements, encompassing analytics, data, entertainment, and facilities. As an employer, they exhibit vast operational and talent demands.

Atlanta Hawks Secure Talent with a Focus on the Future
Atlanta Hawks Secure Talent with a Focus on the Future

"Atlanta Hawks' Strategy for Acquiring Tomorrow's Star Players"

The Atlanta Hawks, a renowned NBA franchise, are making waves beyond the basketball court with their forward-thinking business strategies. One such initiative is their Virtual Sales Academy, an example of their inventive talent practices that aims to combat degree biases and upskill their team members.

The latest iteration of the Virtual Sales Academy focused on providing part-time team members with professional training to master the language of sales. This initiative underscores the unlimited earning potential in sales, and the Hawks are committed to providing opportunities for untapped internal talent.

In partnership with Per Scholas' Atlanta chapter, a national nonprofit advancing economic mobility through immersive training for technology careers, the Hawks conducted the academy's training. This partnership aligns with the Hawks' "True to Atlanta" slogan, as they strive to help individuals, families, and their community rise.

The Hawks' culture values adaptability, results, and teamwork. These values are reflected in the academy's training approach, which prioritized group interactions, role-play, and continued learning.

The Hawks' commitment to fostering a diverse workforce and bridging skills gaps is also evident in their participation in the Who Are YouTM movement. Launched on May 9, Who Are YouTM is a platform for alternative career pathways that envisions a world where meaningful lives and careers are built around one's true self, rather than societal expectations.

Opportunity@Work estimates that over the past 20 years, 70% of emerging jobs have listed a bachelor's degree as a requirement, even though only 40% of Americans have one. Recognizing this disparity, the Hawks, in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and other NBA partners, have created talent development programs for their staff that do not require college degrees or traditional experiences.

The Hawks' approach to talent development extends beyond the Virtual Sales Academy. They prioritize the individuality of all their employees, creating pathways to opportunity based on how employees' unique strengths, behaviours, and skills align with the team's business priorities.

The Hawks' commitment to their community is further demonstrated by their co-hosting of the Building & Developing Your Workforce of the Future event in partnership with Stand Together at Atlanta's State Farm Arena. This event underscores the Hawks' dedication to keeping their talent engaged with the community they call home.

In the face of skills gaps, the Hawks are leading the charge in recognising the potential in every individual, looking past pedigrees to see workers' singular abilities, histories, and motivations. By doing so, they are not only strengthening their own team but also contributing to a more equitable and skilled workforce for the future.

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