The Q4‘16 Middle Market Indicator from the National Center for the Middle Market indicates that employment is growing but talent recruitment and retention remain issues for middle market businesses.

1. Competing for talent in the
middle market
Results of the Q4‘16 Middle Market Indicator from the National Center
for the Middle Market

2. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 2
Employment grows, but talent recruitment +
retention remains an issue
It’s been a good year for middle market businesses according to Q4‘16 Middle
Market Indicator[MMI] from the National Center for the Middle Market[NCMM].
More than four in 10 companies (44%) say employment increased in 2016. And
businesses that hired have added jobs at increasingly faster rates.
BUT…
Middle market businesses are concerned that an inability to recruit employees
with the right skillset is going to limit their ability to grow.

3. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 3
The good news:
Middle market employment growth rose
every quarter in 2016.
5.4%
In QTR4
By the Middle Market Indicator(MMI)
estimation, the middle market produces 3
out of 5 net new private-sector jobs.

4. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 4
Now the not-so-good news:
of firms believe being able to recruit the
right talent will hinder growth.
37%
5 years of MMI data consistently show the
middle market producing jobs one-and-a half
or two times faster than either big or small
business.
Download the
full report.

5. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 5
Firms are having difficulty finding talent
Talent management continues to be an issue,
especially retention and recruitment of
professional and technical experts.
The # 1 reason Skill level

6. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 6
How can they resolve talent shortage?
Many firms are considering improving salaries
and offering flexible work arrangements to attract
talent.
59%
Recruit constantly to help expand the qualified
pool of candidates.
of companies wait until they have a specific position
to fill before looking at candidates

7. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 7
Developing your people.
A systematic approach to training will ensure
your people have the right skills before the need
arises.
Resolve talent shortage by:

8. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 8
Firms are facing competition from other
employers.
Firms are having difficulty finding talent
The # 2 reason Competition
Read the executive
summary.

9. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 9
Offer candidates a career development plan to set
your company apart from competitors.
Only 40% of firms have systematic career
advancement policies.
Just 35% of positions are filled by internal
candidates
How can they beat the competition?

10. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 10
1 Video: The Trump administrations’ effect on the
middle market.
2 Read the MMI executive summary and
download the full report.
Learn more about the current state of
middle market businesses.

11. © Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. 11
We want to hear from you!
Tell us what you think about this content.
Take this short survey.