Dr. David DeLong is a respected author, speaker, and workforce strategist with over three decades of experience helping organizations navigate complex talent and labor challenges. Renowned for his thought leadership on closing skill gaps and managing an aging workforce, Dr. DeLong is the author of several influential books, including his latest, Hidden Talent: How to Employ Refugees, the Formerly Incarcerated, and People with Disabilities.

His work underscores the strategic advantage of leveraging overlooked talent pools to address labor shortages and build more inclusive, resilient workforces. Drawing from deep cross-industry experience, Dr. DeLong offers actionable insights that empower businesses to future-proof their talent strategies.

Please learn more about David DeLong at www.SmartWorkforceStrategies.com

In this impactful episode of Mr. Biz Radio, host Ken “Mr. Biz” Wentworth sits down with Dr. David DeLong—acclaimed author, consultant, and workforce strategist—to explore practical solutions to one of today’s most urgent business challenges: labor shortages. Through powerful stories and evidence-based insights, Dr. DeLong illustrates how inclusive hiring not only addresses skill gaps but also strengthens organizational culture and resilience. He also shares his own career journey—from journalism to workforce consultancy—revealing how adaptability and curiosity have fueled his mission to tackle complex employment issues.

This conversation is a timely call to action for business leaders and HR professionals, emphasizing the socio-economic value of non-traditional hiring strategies. As demographic shifts and technological changes reshape the workforce, Dr. DeLong’s perspective highlights why inclusive talent practices are not just socially responsible—they're essential for sustainable growth and innovation.

Key Takeaways:

-Embracing marginalized groups such as refugees, the formerly incarcerated, and people with disabilities can be the key to addressing workforce shortages.

-Integrating diverse workforces can lead to unexpected team-building and cultural benefits.

-Strategic hiring from underutilized talent pools is not charity but a vital business decision that can enhance productivity and loyalty.

-The U.S. faces a looming workforce deficit due to declining birth rates and retiring baby boomers, necessitating innovative hiring solutions.

-Business leaders should be proactive in exploring non-traditional hiring avenues to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly changing economy.