Skills shortage in the sports business: Successful talent acquisition strategies

• Live contact instead of an impersonal application process
• Partnership with IST University: Quality through practice-oriented training
• Current trends in recruiting: personal exchange is the key
• A win-win situation for companies and talents

The "war for talent" has also arrived in the sports business. In the face of increasingly fierce competition and the rapid development of the industry, it is an immense challenge for companies to find qualified young talent. This is exactly where the two-day congress Sport Marke Medien comes in, which starts on December 2, 2024 as part of ISPO Munich.

"With our Talent Recruiting, we give companies the opportunity to find the right young talent in a short space of time - without any complicated application processes," explains Hans-Willy Brockes, Managing Director of ESB Marketing Netzwerk. This unique format enables employers to get to know the most exciting talents in the industry personally in a compact speed networking session. First impressions count. The cooperation with the IST University of Applied Sciences for Management ensures that only qualified candidates with sound knowledge and practical experience in the sports business take part.

The recruiting format is very simple: in one day, companies can exchange ideas with potential young talents in short conversations. In an intensive speed networking session, both sides get to know each other within a few minutes. Employers and talents then decide whether they want to stay in contact. This not only saves time and resources, but also offers the opportunity to be convinced by the applicants in person - a decisive advantage over the often anonymous and lengthy online application processes.

"In an industry that thrives on the live experience, it's important to get to know each other in person," emphasizes Brockes.

Cooperation with the IST University of Applied Sciences for Management is a key success factor here. The university offers a practical education that is precisely tailored to the requirements of the sports industry. "In IST, we have a partner that not only imparts in-depth knowledge, but also integrates students directly into the sports business," explains Brockes. The dual study program, in which theory and practice go hand in hand, ensures that the talented students are optimally prepared for the challenges of the industry.

Thanks to the university's close links with leading companies in the sports business, students are continuously familiarized with the practical side of the business. "The IST University also offers the opportunity to use tailor-made further education and training modules for its new employees," adds Brockes. This is particularly important in an industry that is constantly changing and in which lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important.

In the context of the "war for talent", there is a clear trend: personal interaction is becoming more important again. While many industries are increasingly relying on digital recruiting processes, formats that rely on personal encounters are becoming more important in the sports business. "There is nothing more valuable than direct contact," says Brockes. "Especially in our industry, where networking and personal relationships are crucial, it's important to introduce yourself in person and convince people."

Talent recruiting as part of the Sport Marke Medien congress on 2.12.2024 offers an ideal response to this trend.

For companies, the Sport Marke Medien and Talent Recruiting congress offers a double opportunity: on the one hand, they can meet highly qualified talent in a compact format, while on the other, the congress itself offers exciting insights and networking opportunities with industry experts. "Our congress covers the entire spectrum of the sports business - from sponsors and supplier brands to new trends in sport, health and entertainment," explains Brockes. This makes the event a central meeting point for all players in the industry.

For the talents, in turn, attending the congress is a unique opportunity to meet potential employers in person and improve their career prospects. "I recommend that young talents take advantage of this opportunity," advises Brockes. "Be open, curious and use every opportunity to exchange ideas."

The Sport Marke Medien congress will not only bring together the who's who of the industry, but could also set the decisive course for the future of the sports business.

Further information and registration at: www.sportmarkemedien.com