UnitedShore Financial

[tkelly1986]

There is a fluff piece in Crain's about UnitedShore Financial's work culture that points out 58% of the workforce are "millennials". It then goes in to detail about all the "perks" afforded to employees in hopes of creating an attractive environment.

To me, that just seems like lipstick on a pig; to counteract being in a generic office park in a strip mall suburb. Thus, it raises the question - would this be a firm that considers a move downtown? And if so, does anyone work there and has the question even been raised?

I've been curios about whether Dan Gilbert's presence may actually be discouraging companies like United to come downtown, or whether it has been come one, come all

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...about-the-work

[Lowell]

If I had to work in that office desert at Maple and Stephson I would have to need some incentives too. Dan Gilbert started out like that in Livonia and picked up the vibe that he needed something less life-less to have a chance of competing for young talent with the San Francisco's Chicago's and New York's. He'll never match those but his new digs are exciting enough.

United Shore's home page leaves no doubt who they are after.

[313WX]

While working in an urban environment is certainly one appealing factor, it's a myth to believe it's the only factor millennials consider.

Millennials are practically busting down the doors to get into companies in suburban Silicon Valley [[I.E. Google, eBay, Facebook, Apple, etc.) or sprawly Houston / Dallas [[Shell, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, BP, etc.).

The OEMs, who are as old skool as you can get for Fortune 100 companies and are all largely based in the most soulless office parks you can imagine, are also having no problems attracting a ton of millennial employees either.

What do the above companies have in common? They all treat entry level employees well by offering them respectable pay and benefits, especially in an era where Millennials are poised to make 20% less than their parents and grandparents over a lifetime, hold much more debt and have far less job security.

Can you say the same for Dan Gilbert's companies? Based on the Glassdoor reviews I've read and the people I know who worked for his companies, nope.

All of that said, while not a dealbreaker, I'm sure Millennials would love it if Detroit and Michigan for once can become a truly progressive and happening place. Instead, they have to deal with a government who insists on turning this region and state into Missisippi-lite.

[tkelly1986]

While working in an urban environment is certainly one appealing factor, it's a myth to believe it's the only factor millennials consider.

Millennials are practically busting down the doors to get into companies in suburban silicon valley [[I.E. Google, eBay, Facebook, etc.) or sprawly Houston / Dallas [[Shell, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, BP, etc.).

The OEMs, who are as old skool as you can get for Fortune 100 companies and are all largely based in the most soulless office parks you can imagine, are also having no problems attracting a ton of millennial employees either.

What do the above companies have in common? They all treat entry level employees well by offering them respectable pay and benefits, especially in an era where Millennials are poised to make 20% less than their parents and grandparents over a lifetime, hold much more debt and have far less job security. Can you say the same for Dan Gilbert's companies?

All of that said, while not a dealbreaker, I'm sure Millennials would love it if Detroit and Michigan for once can become a truly progressive and happening place. Instead, they have to deal with a government who insists on turning this region and state into Missisippi-lite.

While millenials are busting down the doors to work at places like Google, facebook ect...these companies are catering to millenials by having shuttles between San Fran and Palo Alto, Mountain View ect.. Millenials still would prefer to live in the urban areas than the generic suburbs [[Norther California suburbs are not as bland as SE Michigan however). That is why San Fran has seen as much or more grown than Silicone Valley over the past 10 years, because the start ups and firms that can afford to be there [[and acquire enough office space) are there instead of the Valley. For example, SalesForce is building a tower in downtown San Fran, consolidating from office space in the peninsula.

[tkelly1986]

Getting back on topic; what are the chances UnitedShore could be attracted downtown?

[313WX]

Getting back on topic; what are the chances UnitedShore could be attracted downtown?

When / if they're ready, I'm sure they will make the move.

In the mean time, downtown and the Millennials who chose to work at UnitedShore [[imperfections and all) will be fine.

[dtowncitylover]

I interviewed there months ago out of desperation [[I have since found a much better position). My only takeaway is that any place that has a 3 pm dance party for the employees is not a place to work. It's not a sign of a "hip" place, it's a sign that the employees work way too much so they need to compensate with an awkward middle school style dance

[313WX]

My only takeaway is that any place that has a 3 pm dance party for the employees is not a place to work.

Google has nap time for its employees.

Thus, would you say it's also not a place to work?

[dtowncitylover]

Google has nap time for its employees.

Thus, would you say it's also not a place to work?

Dancing or napping? Which one would be more beneficial to office productivity?

[313WX]

Dancing or napping? Which one would be more beneficial to office productivity?

The point is just because a company has an eccentric culture doesn't necessarily mean it's a place not to work.

A reasonable person considers all variables [[besides location and office activites, also pay, fringe benefits, management, growth potential, prestige, stability, etc.) when deciding on a job.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

While millenials are busting down the doors to work at places like Google, facebook ect...these companies are catering to millenials by having shuttles between San Fran and Palo Alto, Mountain View ect.. Millenials still would prefer to live in the urban areas than the generic suburbs [[Norther California suburbs are not as bland as SE Michigan however). That is why San Fran has seen as much or more grown than Silicone Valley over the past 10 years, because the start ups and firms that can afford to be there [[and acquire enough office space) are there instead of the Valley. For example, SalesForce is building a tower in downtown San Fran, consolidating from office space in the peninsula.

I know a bunch of folks who work for SV firms, and virtually all work for them in spite of the location, not because of it.

[iheartthed]

I know a bunch of folks who work for SV firms, and virtually all work for them in spite of the location, not because of it.

I get contacted by Google recruiting at least once per year to work in Mountain View. Having to work in Mountain View is the reason I have never seriously considered going.

[ABetterDetroit]

Great news to hear about this company. Economic growth and more jobs is what the entire metro area and for that matter the whole state needs. As far as the question of is this some sort of failure for Detroit? It is obsolete thinking. The stupidity of finger pointing and fighting over crumbs while other states walk away with the whole pie has not created a fuctioning Michigan that can compete.

[Hermod]

I am certain that if a company with a whole lot of high paying tech jobs [[and great benefits) opened their doors in Traverse City, they would have no trouble filling the jobs.

[mwilbert]

I am certain that if a company with a whole lot of high paying tech jobs [[and great benefits) opened their doors in Traverse City, they would have no trouble filling the jobs.

We are unlikely ever to get a test of this, but I would bet they would have considerable trouble. I'm not saying that it would be impossible to fill them, but I think recruiting would be really difficult. If nothing else, people don't like to take jobs where they can't change employers without changing metros.

[Jimaz]

... people don't like to take jobs where they can't change employers without changing metros.

I recall in Phoenix in the 1980s some high-tech engineers would ping-pong between two local employers to ratchet up their salaries. It was kind of silly and sad at the same time but it worked for them. They were basically exploiting a bidding war situation.

[ABetterDetroit]

I am certain that if a company with a whole lot of high paying tech jobs [[and great benefits) opened their doors in Traverse City, they would have no trouble filling the jobs.

I bet your right on that with a bunch of the kids who had whittled their acceptance letters down to Stanford, MIT and Northwestern Michigan College. If a small town on a Great Lake was the answer to high tech jobs Michigan would be up to our eyeballs in them.

[TTime]

We are unlikely ever to get a test of this, but I would bet they would have considerable trouble. I'm not saying that it would be impossible to fill them, but I think recruiting would be really difficult. If nothing else, people don't like to take jobs where they can't change employers without changing metros.

Most of the people that I interact with in Metro Detroit would absolutely entertain the possibility of moving Up North if the right opportunity presented itself. The main deterrent to the dream of living in picturesque Northern Michigan is finding a job that pays a good salary. I know some that have been lucky enough to find the right job Up North and needless to say they aren't coming back so no I don't think you'd have a problem filling those hypothetical jobs, quite the opposite would happen in my opinion.

[Hermod]

I know a bunch of folks who work for SV firms, and virtually all work for them in spite of the location, not because of it.

Nothing makes you flexible like the pure green heat of money.

[iheartthed]

I am certain that if a company with a whole lot of high paying tech jobs [[and great benefits) opened their doors in Traverse City, they would have no trouble filling the jobs.

By people who either 1) like living in Traverse City or 2) don't have a choice.

[iheartthed]

We are unlikely ever to get a test of this, but I would bet they would have considerable trouble. I'm not saying that it would be impossible to fill them, but I think recruiting would be really difficult. If nothing else, people don't like to take jobs where they can't change employers without changing metros.

Actually, the North Dakota oil boom towns would be relevant examples. They had to pay insane wages to lure people there, and as soon as the bubble burst they became ghost towns, again.

[Wesley Mouch]

Most of the people that I interact with in Metro Detroit would absolutely entertain the possibility of moving Up North if the right opportunity presented itself. The main deterrent to the dream of living in picturesque Northern Michigan is finding a job that pays a good salary. I know some that have been lucky enough to find the right job Up North and needless to say they aren't coming back so no I don't think you'd have a problem filling those hypothetical jobs, quite the opposite would happen in my opinion.

When the internet first bloomed, the theory was that everyone could work in Ishpeming or Butte if they wished. The 'net' would eliminate location.

What seems to have really happened, however, is that 'network effects' have centralized even 'online' jobs to SV, Portland, Seattle, Austin, et al.

If I were young again, I'd be pleased to work in Traverse City -- but I think the reality is that most people and companies still want to work where others are working. They employees need social life. The companies need venture capitalists, network specialists, etc. nearby. Both need airports for clients to visit.

Engadine [[RIP Sonny) is not likely to do.

[Lowell]

When the internet first bloomed, the theory was that everyone could work in Ishpeming or Butte if they wished. The 'net' would eliminate location.

What seems to have really happened, however, is that 'network effects' have centralized even 'online' jobs to SV, Portland, Seattle, Austin, et al.

If I were young again, I'd be pleased to work in Traverse City -- but I think the reality is that most people and companies still want to work where others are working. They employees need social life. The companies need venture capitalists, network specialists, etc. nearby. Both need airports for clients to visit.

Engadine [[RIP Sonny) is not likely to do.

Yes and no. There are bazillions of people in no-where-villes all over the world making livings or side incomes due the web. Most are niche sellers via ebay, etzy, amazon and the many other portals but many are more than that. My own personal experience with my AtDetroit,LLC company has allowed me to thrive in Detroit even though 90% of the revenue is from no where near here.

I think Traverse City would have great prospects. A lot of big money from Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit hangs out there and Charlevoix and Harbor Springs.