In this second episode of our Urban Innovation Leadership Programme series, we welcomed Jose Antonio Ondiviela, who after 29 years of experience leading Microsoft's Smart Cities initiatives, is now spearheading his own research department at the Universidad Francisco de Victoria in Madrid, Spain.

The discussion focused on talent attraction and development within cities: the global competition for talent as a cornerstone for attracting investment, the significance of upskilling and creating a vibrant city brand to appeal emotionally and rationally to potential residents, and the essential role of public-private partnerships in fostering environments conducive to talent development.

Urban Innovators Global and BABLE Smart Cities are proud to announce the launch of the Urban Innovation Leadership Programme – an academic programme that is tailored and totally customizable for your organization. If this sparks your interest, you can reach out directly to us at tamlyn@bable-smartcities.eu for more information.

Overview of the episode:

[00:02:22] Teaser Question: If cities were on a dating app trying to match with investors, what kind of upskilling would they put in their profile to become the ultimate catch?

[00:07:17] How does the fight for talent manifest itself in cities striving to be smart? Are there specific sectors or industries more aggressive in this fight?

[00:12:28] What jobs are most in demand in this fight for talent, especially considering the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

[00:12:52] ​Examples of cities that have successfully attracted top talent for Smart City initiatives. What strategies did they employ?

[00:16:32] ​How can public-private partnerships foster an environment conducive to talent development in smart cities?

[00:19:24] ​In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, who is leading, and how do public-private partnerships impact a city's attractiveness?

[00:23:14] How do mid-sized cities contribute to the global competition for talent?

[00:25:41] ​How can the concept of time and efficiency in urban mobility change the landscape of city attractiveness?

[00:26:08] ​How does Jose respond to concerns that the push towards smart cities might worsen regional disparities through brain drain?

[00:30:18] ​Are there any common misconceptions about developing talent within cities that Jose would like to debunk?

[00:33:44] Shoutout: our guest mentions a person, a city or any other organisation they think deserve more recognition in the field.

[00:35:17] Ending Question: To you, what is a Smart City?

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