STATESIDE
businesses in their Freedom Economy Index (FEI). They received 905 responses representing a 95 percent confidence level of truth. As for a college degree’s value, 67 percent
resoundingly said “no” when asked if colleges were “graduating students with relevant skills that today’s business community needs.” Ken Rusk, author of Blue Collar Cash, said that getting a college degree in the past “… would only enhance an effective human being... Now we’re seeing colleges attach these degrees to people that literally can’t come out and do some of the life skills that we need.” Only 10 percent viewed college degrees as a hiring
incentive, 41.5 percent said it made no difference and 40 percent were less likely to hire a college graduate. Hiring “blue collar” trades people has become more
appealing. The training takes less time and less money to prepare someone in a specific field. While upper management at casinos may require a higher-level skill set, most may not and could expedite advancement. In most gaming jurisdictions, smaller businesses
typically supply the goods and services. However, giant corporations like Walmart, Google and Bank of America- to name a few-have also adopted this new philosophy. Things are coming full circle. For my generation, college
was everything since few of our parents could attend as the Depression and WWII loomed so large. Now, formal higher education lacks the caché of the past. Anheuser Busch, headquartered in the St. Louis,
Missouri heartland of America, also learned that reality. Their marketing people probably fit the FEI description of highly-educated people who don’t get it beyond their own scope. These people would have succeeded with a focus group of real customers and to determine what they actually want. I am fascinated with the hiring process since I too have applied for numerous positions in my career. G2E always has a Human Resources track, but I think today’s world demands some nuance in deciding whom and how to hire. Matt and I have agreed that an in-depth review is in
Years ago, my column described out-of-touch college
students unable to function and accept real world consequences and work. Thousands among America’s most elite schools literally demanded “safe” spaces, puppies and hot cocoa to calm them down. I urged employers to think twice before hiring these kids
and examine their social media and video footprints. It’s a buyer beware scenario of their future performance. New research reveals more than half of young Gen Z
employees struggle with a 40-hour workweek. They cite a disconnect and exhaustion as two main stressors. The casino industry often requires more than 40 hours at all hours of the day or night. Anyone entering gaming should understand that reality. Hacking also became a crucial issue. When MGM faced
computer hackers in September, CEO Bill Hornbuckle lamented the inability of numerous staff members to complete tasks manually, using problem-solving skills. He was right that higher education does not translate into
excellence. According to an October study, job recruiters RedBalloon and PublicSquare surveyed 70,000 small
10 DECEMBER 2023
order, so look for this after the ICE show. Personal conduct has become a key component of the recruiting process. Finally, as expected in my column last summer, Major
League Baseball’s (MLB) Oakland Athletic (A’s) are relocating from California to Las Vegas. All 30 MLB team owners approved the proposal. The scheduled 2028 completion date will force the A’s to find another venue for the intervening years since their lease in Oakland ends in 2024. A public-private partnership would create a Sports and
Entertainment Improvement District at the popular southeast Strip intersection facing MGM, New York New York and Excalibur. The monorail stops at that corner. The existing Tropicana will be demolished. Finding private funding for part of the projected $1.5 billion may prove difficult. The 30,000-seat stadium will be the smallest in the MLB. A’s officials believe that Las Vegas tourism will bring success, as it has for professional football, hockey and women’s basketball teams that moved to Las Vegas after 2016. Not everyone agrees. I will keep you updated as Las Vegas continues to evolve into a key region for American sports.
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