Don't Hire Your Customers – Ben Szobody

Ben Szobody speaking at CoLab: Belfast in November 2017 about the business and social benefits of hiring beyond the usual suspects. Ben leads an examination of employee retention in the industry and looks at what it takes to develop well-rounded employees who stay inspired and engaged. 

Ben spent 15 years in political and business journalism in the U.S. before launching a handful of UK social projects -- among them, Pro Baristas. He contributed to the World Atlas of Coffee and has co-published Longberry magazine with James Hoffmann. Pro Baristas now links unemployed people with satisfying coffee careers and specialty businesses with highly trained people via SCA certified courses, "soft skills" curriculum and close personal mentorship. As a project manager for One Church Brighton, Ben also runs a six-acre farm, an urban venue and community center in Brighton as well as a weekly farmers market.