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w w w. m a i n e b i z . b i z 25 Ja n ua r y 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 Maine," Austin says. "We're hoping that other companies will join us and do the same." Selling quality of life Nevertheless, there are more immedi- ate needs, namely the 40 new positions Austin will need to fill this year. National job boards have yielded nothing. What's more, Kepware actively recruits from Maine's liberal arts schools, including Colby, Bates and Bowdoin, and is seeking sales-and- marketing interns for this summer. e company is also focusing on company culture and the office space, and added collaborative work space. An expansion last year to its Congress Street headquarters, which doubled its footprint to 40,000 square feet, included a fitness center and yoga room. "We're really trying to be a place that millennials want to work," says Austin. e proliferation of restau- rants, microbreweries and nightlife near the office have helped. "When they visit they think this is a cool place to live, a safe place to raise kids, with good schools, and oppor- tunities to ski, sail, bike, and they get pretty excited about it. And they don't expect it," says Austin. "e trick is, how do we get them to land at the jetport to see it?" Kepware pays within about 10% of companies in Boston, and Austin says he hasn't lost a candidate over pay in years. Because the cost of living in Maine is so much lower than in bigger cities, "when you start talking about what it costs to buy a four-bedroom home in greater Boston versus what it costs in Portland, the number becomes pretty attractive," he says. e bigger issue is attracting more senior-level workers from out of state, who might be more established where they are or would have to pull kids out of schools to accommodate moves. "eir fear is, 'What if I get there and in six months it doesn't work out? Will there be another opportunity across the street?'" says Austin. "at's a scary thought for a lot of people. And it's a huge hurdle." Austin hopes initiatives like Creative Portland and Growing Portland will help foster an open dialogue between companies within the same sector, so that companies can refer job candidates to one another, and help new recruits feel like they can build a career in Portland. "e first part is increasing our knowledge of one another," he says. Acquiring talent through acquisition Winxnet, a Portland-based IT consult- ing and outsourcing firm, is also expe- riencing meteoric growth. Revenues for the 15-year-old company swelled to $15 million in 2014, and twice the company has been named to Inc. magazine's list of fastest-growing companies. Winxnet CEO Chris Claudio is constantly searching for software developers, systems engineers, network engineers and help-desk profession- als to add to the company's staff of 110. ough salaries generally run well above the average Maine household income of nearly $47,000, it's still a challenge. ree acquisitions in 2014 allowed Winxnet to acquire high-level talent, and tap into larger labor pools like suburban Boston. In the year ahead, acquisitions will continue to be a part of the company's growth. "Part of the calculus in our acquisition strategy is not just identifying companies that fit the right profile, but ones that are made up of talented profes- sionals that will make strong additions to the Winxnet team," says Claudio. While Winxnet often has to recruit workers from bigger markets, where wages are higher, Claudio says the company has some advantages. "Because of our ability to leverage technology and innovation to support customers anywhere at any time, we strive to offer competitive wages for talent regardless of where they may live," Claudio says. And compensation, he concedes, is only part of what attracts people to companies in Maine. "e key for us is to be competi- tive, and part of that competitiveness is offering talented professionals well- paid, challenging roles in a company that happens to be in the nicest place to live on the planet," he says. Claudio keeps an eye out for can- didates who have Maine connections and might want to return. One of the most effective tools has turned out to be $1,500 referral bonuses for his work- ers, which he started five years ago. at said, in an effort to attract and retain top talent, the company will also continue to focus on its structure, culture and community involvement. "Top talent is attracted to companies for many reasons," he says. "And we need to be clear and deliberate when creating a work environment where top people want to come and stay." J e n n i f e r Va n A l l e n , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n Ya r m o u t h , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t e d i t o r i a l @ m a i n e B i z . B i z nhdlaw.com • Portland (207) 774-7000 • Lewiston (207) 777-5200 When it comes to legal issues for your business—or personal life— you can trust in our expertise, experience, and results-oriented focus. • Commercial Litigation • Hospitality Law • Intellectual Property • Medical Credentialing • Real Estate Law • Estate Planning Prepared. BE

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