“You have this huge pool of talented labor that not many people are looking at,” Chad Hahn, co-founder and principal of software testing company Mindsparks, told Agence France-Presse.
“This is a perfect model to drive social change. Companies can really do well by doing good.”
Santa Monica-based MindSparks currently employs 27 analysts who can make between $35,000 and $50,000 a year. One of them is Corey Weiss, who’s condition has given him a laser focus on details.
“I see things others wouldn’t,” the 27-year-old, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, told AFP.
MindSpark’s success demonstrates how CEOs can strengthen their businesses by throwing their doors open to people suffering from physical and intellectual disabilities. A study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity shows organizations that perform better are 37% more likely to hire disabled people because they can be good talent matches for open positions.
According to CNBC, MindSparks has grown by 50% a year over the last three years and last week invited outside funding to ramp up its growth rate. The company’s current clients include entertainment giant 21st Century Fox and insurer Liberty Mutual.
Microsoft is among other companies that have started hiring people on the autism spectrum, of which around 80% are unemployed, according to the software giant. It launched a hiring program in the U.S. last year, which it extended to the UK in February.
“One of the challenges facing the UK economy is building a skilled future workforce,” Michel Van der Bel, Microsoft’s UK CEO said at the time.
“While each individual is different, many people with neurodiverse conditions have skills which include a strong ability to retain information and analyse data, as well as in-depth and detailed computational thinking skills.”
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
